I've always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come.
Michael JordanRead
When I was playing before I retired, I never really understood the appreciation and the respect that people gave me. People had treated me like a god or something, and that was very embarrassing.
Interpretation
Michael Jordan reflects on his past fame and the reverence he received from fans.
In this quote, Michael Jordan expresses his uncertainty about the level of admiration he received during his playing career. He acknowledges that the reverence felt overwhelming and somewhat uncomfortable, indicating that true appreciation often goes unrecognized until one steps back and reflects on their impact. This insight highlights the complexities of fame and the admiration athletes can receive, while also illustrating Jordan's humility despite his iconic status in sports.
In practice
During a retirement speech, one might reference this quote to illustrate the unexpected nature of fame.
I've always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come.
There are no shortcuts. I approached practices the same way I approached games. You can't turn it on and off like a faucet. I couldn't dog it during practice and then, when I needed that extra push late in the game, expect it to be there. Very few people get anywhere by taking shortcuts.
Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.
If you're trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I've had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.
Don't be like me. Be better than me. That's the goal.
Success isn't something you chase. It's something you have to put forth the effort for constantly. Then maybe it'll come when you least expect it. Most people don't understand that.
Groups that rose from poverty to prosperity seldom did so by having their own racial or ethnic leaders to follow.
If you're to succeed at any endeavor, the first and most important person you must convince is yourself. Success comes not from merely a belief that you can do it. Success comes when you absolutely know you can achieve it
I won't have to do any major changes to continue my career a long way, hopefully. Just hopefully stay healthy and be able to help a team out as I go through and still play at a pretty high level.
What if getting bigger isn't the point? What if you merely got better?
I did not want to be the best black man of the year; I wanted to be the best man of the year.
People don't understand that when I grew up, I was never the most talented. I was never the biggest. I was never the fastest. I certainly was never the strongest. The only thing I had was my work ethic, and that's been what has gotten me this far.
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