Mistake Monday - Chip on my shoulder

Growing up, I was a huge fan of Michael Jordan. His posters adorned my bedroom walls, door, and ceiling. His play was a gift.

Jordan was insanely competitive and his favorite motivational tool was the chip on his shoulder. In preparation for each game, he'd identify someone on the opposing team who'd ever said anything to doubt or disrespect him. Jordan then dwelt upon it until he came to a boiling point, and poured out his rage on the court in a floury of points against his enemy. When Jordan couldn't find a negative comment from an opposing team or player, he'd simply make one up.

My mistake was applying this approach to business. When people doubted me, I latched on to what they said, got angry, and let that fire motivate me to prove people wrong through great work.

The problem with this approach is that when you finally "succeed", it feels empty. Sure, you may have proved somebody wrong, but where's the joy in that? I've since found new and better motivational tools like legacy, gift-giving, and fun.

Jordan is widely considered the best basketball player ever, and has nothing left to prove. But in his Hall of Fame enshrinement speech, he showed the chip on his shoulder remains, calling out those who angered and motivated him with their doubt or disrespect: Dean Smith, the media, Bryon Russell, and several others.

Do you "play" with a chip on your shoulder? Are you still trying to prove your worth to someone? Have you found a better way to motivate yourself to win?

Comments

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=3303573]

I've often found myself guilty of this, but I like to remind myself of what Sam Snead said about playing golf (and I think it applies great to life in general), "Forget your opponents; always play against par.".

[Kevin Mackey]

Great quote - Thanks!

[penny auction]

nice article and great space，thanks for sharing this with all of us.