"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed"

Michael Jordan’s words reveal a powerful perspective on failure and what it truly means to achieve greatness. Rather than seeing errors, losses, and missed opportunities as reasons to give up, he frames them as necessary steps along the path to success. The recounting of his missed shots, lost games, and critical moments where he did not deliver underlines how even the most celebrated athletes are not immune to mistakes or disappointment. What distinguishes Jordan is not a flawless record, but his willingness to learn from each error and press forward regardless.

Success, according to this perspective, is not about an unbroken chain of victories. It’s an accumulation of efforts, each shaped by lessons learned in adversity. By admitting to missing thousands of shots and failing to win hundreds of games, Jordan speaks openly to the reality that champions are forged through persistence and resilience. Failure becomes a teacher, exposing weaknesses, highlighting areas for growth, and providing motivation to improve. Each missed opportunity is not a final verdict, but a stepping stone toward refinement and eventual achievement.

Notably, Jordan emphasizes the trust placed in him during high-pressure moments, and the fact that he sometimes failed to deliver. Rather than being crushed by these moments, he allows them to fuel his determination. Ownership of both triumph and failure strengthens his character and commitment to his craft. Jordan’s testimony challenges the notion that success comes effortlessly or is reserved for the naturally talented. Instead, it is a product of relentless effort, an ability to confront loss without fear, and a refusal to let setbacks define one’s limits.

Ultimately, the message is empowering: embracing failure, learning from it, and persisting despite it leads to greatness. Jordan’s experience serves as a reminder that enduring value is found not in perfection, but in the courage to continue despite repeated setbacks.