Sports & Perseverance

“I missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I lost more than 300 games. 26 times I was trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
-Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player in the world, had opportunities to give up or criticize his teammates and coaches. He did not even make the high school team in the 10th grade.

Thankfully, his body grew four inches that year and he used that time to practice, practice, practice. He chose to use these opportunities as learning opportunities and move on. “I’ve failed over and over…and that is why I succeed.” What a great lesson to teach our kids!

Your child will face defeat and failure during their own sports career. It’s important to teach your child that failure and defeat are natural parts of life. It’s how we respond to them that makes the difference in failure and success.

Success comes when we pick out what caused the failure and work on overcoming for next time. Success comes when we stay positive without wallowing in our defeat. Success comes when we realize that nothing is permanent. There is always a “next time.”

Remember Michael Jordan when times get tough on the field, court, pool, whatever. Failure is why we succeed.