The name Michael Jordan is synonymous with excellence, determination, and an unwavering belief in the power of positive thinking. Jordan’s journey to becoming one of the greatest basketball players of all time was not without its hurdles. Michael was famously cut from the varsity basketball team as a sophomore in high school. While many might have seen this setback as a sign to give up, Jordan saw it as motivation. He didn’t wallow in defeat; instead, he worked harder, trained tirelessly, and leveraged this experience to fuel his legendary career. Jordan’s ability to turn a moment of disappointment into a catalyst for greatness exemplifies the core of positive thinking. And his ultimate success demonstrated several of the 10 benefits of positive thinking we will be discussing. His story is a powerful reminder that our mindset can indeed shape our reality.
“If you do the work, you get rewarded. There are no shortcuts in life.”
– Michael Jordan
What is failure?
When you read some of Jordan’s most famous inspirational quotes, you’ll notice a pattern. His focus on failure. He comes back to it again and again. Jordan didn’t see failure as something to be avoided. It was his fuel. Failure is feedback. It tells you that what what you’re doing needs to be altered if you want a different outcome. Failure is hard-coded into the universe as a training system.
“Learning is a gift, even when pain is your teacher.”
– Michael Jordan
How failure helps us
A toddler learning to walk wobbles and collapses thousands of times before ever standing up, let alone taking a first step. Those moments of crumpling knees and ankles aren’t events to avoid. They are crucial experiences that train nerves, muscles, reflexes, inner ear balancing systems, hand-eye coordination, proprioception (awareness of where one’s limbs are even when they’re out of sight), memory, and more. A child needs to fail many times in order to succeed at walking. Then there’s the years of vocal babbling before his or her first sentence is ever formed. We could go on. If you view failure as something to be avoided, try to reframe this perspective starting today. When you fail at something large or small, ask yourself, what lesson can I take from this so that I increase my chances of success next time?
“To learn to succeed, you must first learn to fail.”
– Michael Jordan
Positive thinking is realistic thinking
Many view positive thinking as misguided or corny; simply wishful thinking. And sometimes it can be, if the positive thinker isn’t taking appropriate actions in harmony with their positive thoughts. But when we acknowledge what failure is and why we need it, then our positive thinking can be very productive. Instead of ignoring failure, productive positive thinking leverages it.
“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.”
– Michael Jordan
The benefits
As we navigate our modern-day trials, it’s important to remember the numerous benefits that positive thinking brings. Let’s explore the 10 Benefits of Positive Thinking and how they can enrich our lives.
“The key to success is failure.”
– Michael Jordan
- Improved Mental Health: Positive thinking helps reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, promoting a more balanced and healthier mental state.
- Enhanced Physical Health: Optimistic individuals often experience better cardiovascular health and a stronger immune system, as positivity can reduce stress-related health issues.
- Increased Resilience: Positive thinking fosters resilience, enabling individuals to bounce back more effectively from setbacks and challenges.
- Better Problem-Solving Skills: Maintaining a positive outlook enhances creativity and problem-solving skills, allowing for more innovative and effective solutions.
- Stronger Relationships: Optimistic people tend to have more fulfilling and supportive relationships, as positivity attracts others and fosters deeper connections.
- Greater Success: Positive thinkers are more likely to achieve their goals and experience greater success in their personal and professional lives due to their proactive and persistent nature.
- Improved Coping Skills: Positivity equips individuals with better coping mechanisms, making it easier to handle life’s challenges and changes.
- Increased Motivation and Energy: A positive mindset boosts motivation and energy levels, making tasks and goals seem more attainable.
- Enhanced Longevity: Studies have shown that positive thinkers often enjoy a longer lifespan, thanks to the multitude of health benefits associated with a positive outlook.
- Overall Life Satisfaction: Ultimately, positive thinking leads to higher levels of overall life satisfaction and happiness, making life more enjoyable and fulfilling.
“I’ve never been afraid to fail.”
– Michael Jordan
Having explored these 10 Benefits of Positive Thinking, it’s clear that cultivating an optimistic mindset can significantly enhance various aspects of our lives. However, understanding the benefits is only the first step. The real magic happens when we take action.
“Failure makes me work even harder.”
– Michael Jordan
Reading
The international bestseller, The Power of Positive Thinking, by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, is a classic work in this area. It gives the reader tools to believe in themselves, develop determination and the power to reach their goals. For someone who is looking for some guidance in developing positive thinking, this book would be a solid starting point. Read about how Steve Jobs turned failure to success here.
“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six 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
Your challenge
So, here’s a challenge for you: start each day with a moment of gratitude. Before reaching for your phone or diving into the daily grind, take a few minutes to reflect on three things you’re thankful for. This simple practice can shift your focus from what’s lacking to what’s abundant, setting a positive tone for the rest of your day.
Now that you have adjusted your focus, take one more step. Think about one personal or professional project in which you have hit a setback or a skill in which you have plateaued or a bad habit that you haven’t conquered. Search your perception for any clues as to why you have not had the desired outcome yet. You may already know the answer or you may have to spend minutes concentrating on the problem to find an insight. Write down this insight. You have learned from a failure and are now armed to overcome it. Imagine, who you’ll be in a year if you do this daily. Embrace the power of productive positive thinking and watch as it transforms your life.
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