“I’ve missed more than 9,000 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.”
The above quote is from the basketball great, Michael Jordan. Although you LeBron James fans out there may take issue, MJ is probably the best basketball player ever. Jordan’s individual accolades and accomplishments include six NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards, ten NBA scoring titles (both all-time records), five NBA MVP awards, ten All-NBA First Team designations, nine All-Defensive First Team honors, fourteen NBA All-Star Game selections and three NBA All-Star Game MVP awards.
Bringing MJ’s quote to the weight control arena: I do not believe there is one person out there that has struggled with weight control that has NOT “failed” in a number of weight loss efforts. Most people have failed on numerous occasions to shed the weight and keep that weight off. The majority of people have lost weight only to see the weight go back on.
After a number of failed attempts, it is not uncommon to find ourselves in the “I Give Up” mentality. Why even bother to try anymore if all of those previous attempts have failed? The answer is that despite the past history of “failures”, given the right circumstances, mindset and support, a different outcome may occur…i.e. success in losing the weight and keeping it off.
Try as best as possible to not allow the “I Give Up” thoughts start percolating through your brain. Take inspiration from the great MJ who documented his multiple “failures” to show how these motivated him to become the very best in his craft. NO “giving up”!!!
And for those of you that saw the movie “Air”, the story behind MJ and the launch of his famous sneakers, “Air Jordan”, here is a song from flick’s soundtrack, Mike + The Mechanic’s “All I Need Is A Miracle”.
