The Lessons of Jeremy Lin

Wow! Over the last week, the NBA has found a new sensation. As Kobe Bryant said, the Jeremy Lin story is a "great story" and it's something we all should celebrate. I haven't been this excited about basketball since Jordan days. (Unaware of the "Lin-sanity"? Watch these Lin videos here.) 

And you can't help but be inspired by Jeremy Lin's story. From what I can gather, these are the elements that made up his success story:

He has faith, in himself and in God. It's not enough to just believe in yourself. You've got to also believe that your life is about something bigger than you. This keeps you grounded when times are good and keeps you going when times are bad. 

He kept improving. He's always been a great player with clear moments of greatness, but he was still "rough around the edges" (though, also grossly underestimated). So he kept pushing himself and improving - through the rejections and setbacks. He didn't allow his moments of greatness to cause him to be complacent. And he didn't allow the setbacks to deter his progress as a player.  

He focuses on one step at a time. From what I've observed, Jeremy Lin is working to not speculate about his future, but focusing on doing his best in the current task at hand. This kind of mentality is what keeps you performing consistently. You can't do this though until you truly believe in yourself and in your purpose. 

He was ready for the opportunity. Opportunities come. They come to all of us. Truth is, some of us aren't always in shape and ready to capitalize when the opportunity presents itself. Because Jeremy Lin kept working hard and kept improving, allowing his coaches to do what is necessary with him, he was prepared for the opportunity that propelled him. Your opportunity could come tomorrow, but will you be ready? Opportunities will always come. 

These are great examples/lessons we can take away so far from the rise of Jeremy Lin. I'm happy for him and I think his story will inspire and empower many around the country and the world. Perhaps all of this can be summed up in one statement that Jeremy Lin made to the press:

"I try to trust in God and whatever circumstances he puts me through, grow as a person," he said.

Trust God. Keep growing. That pretty much says it all. What do you think of Jeremy Lin? How does his story inspire you? Leave a comment!

Setbacks or Failures

I was having a conversation with someone recently about the journey to achieving your dreams - the process of getting what you want in life. We all want to do big things and go places. However, some of us aren't as willing to take the risks necessary to get what we want.

So, just what do you risk facing when you decide to pursue what you really want in life? Well...

1. Facing new territory - this means having to learn new things or establish new relationships.
2. Facing rejections - when you're in building mode, you'll get a lot more no's then yes'.
3. Facing waiting periods - there will be periods of time when there's nothing to do, but wait. 
4. Facing setbacks - things you thought would work out, all of the sudden, don't.  

Now, you can either be excited in your new adventure or you can be worried. I'm convinced that worry is excitement's evil twin. But you can choose who you want to keep company with. Choose to be excited in all of the uncertainties and challenges ahead. Excitement will actually propel you. Worry...not so much.

All of the things above are a part of going after what you want. The ones that push through all of those things and overcome them are the ones that get what they want. Believe me, you will struggle. But, your success will be sweet. Believe me, not many will be with you or stay with you through your struggle. But, you'll find friends for life in those who do. I just recently saw a quote by Will Smith that was brilliant. He said, "If you're absent during my struggle, don't expect to be present during my success." 

My family used to wonder what the hell I was doing with my life. Now, they're not wondering so much anymore - they're proud. But even when they wondered about me and where I was going, they were there for me.  Then, there was a whole lot of people that I thought would support me, but didn't. Let me tell you something: You have to be convinced of your own dreams and desires. If you're not, people will talk you out of doing what needs to be done. They'll talk you out of the struggle and back into the comfort zone. Don't let them do it. 

If you don't pay your dues, you'll lose. No pain, no gain. The race isn't given to the swift or to the strong, but to the ones who endure. This is truth. Don't forget it. 

Let's bring it back to my original thought when I started writing this piece. The part of the struggle I wanted to talk about are the setbacks. They look like failures, but they're really not. They hurt like failures, but they're not. You know how people get thick skin? By enduring setbacks. Eventually, you get callous to them and you just push through them with ease. The guy who believes in himself despite what others are saying or what circumstances would indicate...that guy seems to always end up on top in the end. Be that guy (or gal). 

Setbacks aren't failures. Quitting is failure - that is the only failure. Don't forget that. All the greats endured setbacks. And through those setbacks, they improve or re-invent themselves and they get back in the fight. Like I said in a previous post, it's ok to take a break. But don't quit the fight. Get back into it. For every attempt, you'll always breakthrough to a new level. For each attempt, you'll always get further than where you were the last round. Considering that reality, success is inevitable. The only questions remaining are: "How long will it take? And, whether or not you'll keep trying until it's achieved?"

Overnight Success

I was sitting here thinking about success. More specifically, about overnight success and how it doesn't really exist. The years of preparation and progress combined with a sequence of breakthroughs are the elements that make up an "overnight" success story. What I can liken it to is a super soaker water gun. You pump and pump that thing until there is so much power (from pressure) built up, that all it takes is a pull of the trigger for that water to shoot out in spectacular fashion. It will take time.

When people talk about the "overnight" success of something, they're referring to the trigger event that caused it to explode into mainstream consciousness. But, it took years of preparation and progress leading up to that trigger event. So, for you dreamers (and do-ers) out there, do not be discouraged. Keep moving and let one thing lead to another. Put one foot over the other. You'll find yourself looking back and wondering how you ever got so far. Sure, there are moments when you'll want to just pack up your bags and forget about trying to succeed. You'll want to say to yourself, "Success is just being happy, not results." But, I urge you...this is a cop out! Let the pressure and the unhappiness push you further in the pursuit of your dream, not take you away from your dream. 

If you need to take a vacation, take one. But never take a break from your dream. Be assured, that anyone who achieves anything has to face the inevitable grind, filled with unhappy moments, for many years before seeing success (or better said, achievement). And may be more don't succeed in achieving their dreams because they go on a break from their dreams...only to find themselves working for another dreamer, who never took a break from their dreams. 

Nothing Wrong With Having Self-Interest

Don't be mistaken. Self-interest is not the same thing as selfishness. In fact, many times, self-interest will require you to take selfless actions. Any great and good thing that has ever been created or done in the history of this world has been accomplished because of strong self-interest.

Because of self-interest, people leave good legacies. Because of the self-interest of good people, society is better. Because of self-interest, people persist and thereby, succeed. I should say one balancing thing though: To keep your life meaningful, you just have to make sure that you think both short-term and long-term about your life and value family/friends above money and opportunities.

The Art of Letting The Chips Fall Where They May

It takes ingenuity these days to stand out and succeed. It probably has always been that way. Did you know ingenuity is based on a Latin word that literally means "frankness"? Frankness suggests a bold and not-give-a-care-about-what-people-think approach. When you're being frank, you're being genuine. You're unphased by what may result from your action. You simply do not hold back! You do what you do and you let the chips fall where they may. Failed or successful, you keep moving, stronger than you were before. This is an artform. And it's powerful. Some of the most successful people in the world have mastered this. 

I think, a lot of times, caring too much about what people think is what keeps many of us back from achieving great things. Be yourself. Be different. And let the chips fall where they may. Becoming better at who you are is different from changing who you are! Truth is, when you stay consistent as who you are, timing and reality usually catches up to you.  The world moves in cycles.  Those who succeed are those who do not change (they only better themselves) until their time comes! Look at the lives of the greats and tell me this isn't true. It is truth! Be yourself. Better yourself. But never change yourself. Keep attempting. Keep creating. Keep projecting. Whatever you do, don't stop moving! Forget results. Remember who you are. Your time is coming!