Michael Jordan is a famed basketball legend. To this day he is considered the Gold Standard of comparison used by basketball pundits around the world. His name has entered the lexicon of everyday language: “He or she is the Michael Jordan of neurosurgery,” or ” he or she is the Michael Jordan of accountants,” or “he or she is the Michael Jordan of teachers.”
As a freshman at Laney High School, Michael Jordan was cut from their High School basketball team. For most, that would have been the end of the story. But for Michael Jordan, being cut from the team only spurred him on to become a better basketball player. He used that failure, being cut from the team, as a motivator, not as a deterrent. He wanted to prove the coaches wrong.
In short, he wanted Revenge.
The vast majority, when they fail at something, put their tail between their legs and move on to something else. Great achievers, however, use failure as a motivator. Failure inspires and motivates high achievers to improve and better themselves.
In order to achieve at the highest levels you must get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Failure and mistakes are very uncomfortable experiences.
Those who excel in life are able to channel the negative emotions they experience in defeat as a catalyst to spur them on. Instead of accepting defeat, high achievers double down and work harder to prove to the world they are not failures.
They use Revenge to prove to those who rejected them, that they were wrong.
Tom Corley is an accountant, financial planner and author of “Rich Kids: How to Raise Our Children to Be Happy and Successful in Life”, Effort-Less Wealth, Change Your Habits Change Your Life, Rich Habits Poor Habits and “Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals.”
Thanks Tom, much needed motivation today.