You're Not Better Than Michael Jordan
(How to build resilience)
It took the greatest basketball player of all time 7 years to win an NBA championship.
If you know anything about Michael Jordan you know that he was a fierce competitor and hated to lose.
Yet for 6 years he was face-to-face with heartbreaking disappointment.
For 6 years he poured his heart and soul into his work and still could not win a championship.
For 6 years Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls continued to try new coaches, new players and even an entirely new game strategy.
Then in year 7, they finally cracked the code for a winning formula in the NBA.
From there, the Chicago Bulls went on to win 6 NBA championships in the next 8 years and positioned themselves as one of the greatest NBA teams of all time.
I have been thinking about this story a lot this week.
It has been especially helpful in moments when I am doubting myself and my efforts.
Here’s a small example.
I shared a Note on Substack two days ago and two people hearted it.
One of those two people were me. :)
Does that mean I suck, or Notes suck, or Substack sucks?
No! Of course not.
It means my perception and expectations of what it takes to become great at something SUCKS.
It means there is some sort of distortion and delusion inside me that believes I am better than Michael Jordan. That I don’t need to put the time and effort and can just show up once and expect greatness.
It’s such a ridiculous belief and is almost embarrassing to admit, but a part of me does subscribe to this delusion. I think it’s good to name it and have awareness of it.
Life does not work like that, despite what your Instagram feed wants you to believe.
Good things take time.
Great things take time + resilience + an unrelenting dedication to your craft.
The other factor that people often forget to mention is Joy.
If you don’t actually enJOY what you are working on, you won’t last.
Joy keeps us in the frequency of love and love is a highly regenerative and energizing frequency to be in.
If you have Netflix and want to watch and incredible 10-part documentary on Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, check out The Last Dance.
Even if you don’t particularly like basketball or even sports, it’s a powerful story of resilience.
This Week’s Journaling Music Playlist:
Journaling Prompt(s):
Sometimes it could be helpful to zoom out and get some perspective on your life and your projects.
Make a list of projects and/or skills you have been developing over the last 10 years.
For example:
I have been working as a professional photographer for the past 10 years.
I have been making meditations for the past 4 years.
I have been writing on Substack for the past 2 years.
I have been writing paid posts on Substack for the past 3 weeks.
It's helpful to see that there are many different versions of myself that are on independent trajectories.
In some places I have over a decade of experience and in other places I'm just a baby.
This high-level perspective can allow us to bring more patience and compassion to ourselves, especially in places where we are just getting started.
Guided Meditation:
Have a great weekend Artists.
Big love,
D
—
Darius Bashar
HEARTshots™ Photographer + Founder
Artist, Creator, Meditator ArtistMorning.com™
PS: Did you know I teach 4 classes a month where I share my very best lessons and strategies on building creativity, confidence and community?
The classes are a part of my Deep Divers paid membership —> Click Here to learn more.
“Great things take time + resilience + an unrelenting dedication to your craft.”
Ohhhhh yes!! Love this juicy thought. ♥️
Hi Darius!
I’ve been reading your Substack texts since you let me know it exists.
You write your ideas very clearly and seams that it flows (I couldn’t write like this).
I like your work in Artist Morning also
One thing puzzles me while I was reading Today’s text.
Why do you need to be hearted?
What it’s your goal with this texts?
I personally like them and whatever is in your heart to write and share It makes me think about my own art work
When I paint I don’t think about if it would sell or not, or if someone is going to like it I just do it. Sometimes I have joy sometimes not, but I keep painting!
Thank you Darius for doing Artist Morning and writing here.
I have already helped me a lot.
Love
Monica