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As a former professional basketball player and England international, this story resonated with me deeply because the man at its heart is one of my heroes.
Back in the 1980s, I flew out to Boston to visit the legendary Boston Celtics. At the time, they had the great Larry Bird on the team, and I was determined to meet him.
I was working for Metro Radio in the North East and decided to phone the Celtics directly. I asked if I could fly over to interview Larry Bird.
They assumed I was a journalist when, in fact, I was working in sales!
Somehow, I managed to get through to the PR Manager and persuaded him to give me a VIP pass for the team. That week-long pass gave me behind-the-scenes access, time with the players, and tickets to watch some games up close and personal.
One of those games was against the Chicago Bulls, featuring a young, up-and-coming player named Michael Jordan. I sat courtside and watched in awe as he scored 62 points and threw down 12 dunks. He completely stole the show.
He could have given up before he started.
When people think of Michael Jordan, they picture one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He won championships, broke records, and inspired millions.
But what many don’t know is that one of the most critical moments in his life came from failure.
As a teenager, Michael tried out for his high school basketball team. He really wanted it and gave it his all. But when the team list went up, his name wasn’t on it. He didn’t make the cut.
He went home and cried.
That could have been the end of the story. But instead of giving up, he made a choice. He decided to keep going. To train harder. To improve.
And two years later, not only did he make the team, he became its star.
Later in life, he said:
“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. I’ve failed over and over and over again. And that is why I succeed.”
Michael didn’t succeed because he never failed. He succeeded because he continued to learn and grow.
What Is a Growth Mindset?
Psychologist Carol Dweck talks about two types of mindsets:
A fixed mindset says, “I’m either good at something or I’m not.” People with this mindset tend to avoid challenges because they are afraid of failure.
A growth mindset says, “I can get better with effort and learning.” These people see failure as part of the journey, not the end of it.
Michael Jordan showed a clear growth mindset. He didn’t take rejection as proof he wasn’t good enough. He saw it as a reason to work harder and improve.
This mindset doesn’t just help athletes, it helps everyone.
Why This Matters
We all have times when things go wrong. A failed project. A lost job. A health scare. A tough conversation.
The big question is: how do we react?
Do we give up and say, “I’m not cut out for this”?
Or do we say, “This is hard, but I can learn and get better”?
This small shift in thinking makes a big difference. It’s the foundation of mental resilience, allowing us to bounce back when life knocks us down.
How to Build a Growth Mindset
Here are some simple ways you can develop a growth mindset:
Notice how you talk to yourself.
If you catch yourself saying, “I can’t do this,” try adding the word yet: “I can’t do this yet.” It leaves room for improvement.
Learn from mistakes.
Instead of asking, “Why did I fail?” ask, “What can I learn from this?” Mistakes are part of progress.
Try things that challenge you.
Growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone. Start small and keep going.
Celebrate effort, not just success.
It’s not always about getting it right, it’s about showing up and trying again.
Be around people who encourage learning.
Spend time with people who support growth, not those who judge mistakes.
Keep a small journal.
Write down what you’re learning each week. Look back over time, and you’ll see how far you’ve come.
Three Things to Remember
- Failure is part of success. Every successful person has failed. What matters is learning from it and moving forward.
- Hard work helps you grow. If it feels difficult, that’s a sign you’re growing, not failing.
- What you believe shapes what you do. If you believe you can improve, you’ll keep trying, and that’s how growth happens.
Michael Jordan was once told he wasn’t good enough for the team. But he didn’t let that stop him. He worked hard, stayed focused, and kept learning.
We can all do the same.
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to believe you can improve.
That mindset that belief is what builds real resilience. And it can change your life.
Thoughts for the week.
- Do you avoid challenges for fear of failing?
- What mistake could you learn from this week?
- What does your inner voice say when things go wrong?
- When did you last step outside your comfort zone?
- What skill could you improve with consistent practice?
Well, that’s it for this week. Have a wonderful weekend and keep believing.
Warm regards
John
https://jdmindcoach.com/product/off-the-wall-how-to-develop-world-class-mental-resilience/
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