| Being Extraordinary Is A Choice! | | | | work he finally found success. |
| I have always loved and played the game of | | | | It is one of the most shared stories out there, |
| basketball. | | | | and as I sit here writing this article I can tell you |
| Still, on 25 different occasions I was handed the | | | | why. |
| opportunity to take the game winning shot and I | | | | In a phrase "let there be light!" |
| missed... | | | | The impact from Thomas Edison's commitment |
| ...as my team mate "would you be willing to give | | | | to creating the practical incandescent light bulb has |
| me one more opportunity at the game winning | | | | benefited billions of people. |
| shot?" | | | | Edison, just like Jordan, was committed to finding |
| Would 9000 more missed shots be enough for | | | | a way. |
| you to say enough! | | | | How far are you willing to go to achieve what |
| You probably wouldn't have given me another | | | | you want? |
| chance and maybe you would have started to | | | | Do you even know what you want? |
| look for another player, or would you? | | | | What about you? Is there something keeping you |
| The stats I shared are real. | | | | from going all out? |
| Just in case you haven't figured it out, they are | | | | Are you playing, working, and living everyday at |
| not my stats. They are the stats of one of the | | | | 110%? |
| greatest basketball players ever to play the | | | | Both Jordan and Edison were committed! |
| game: "Michael Jordan!" | | | | Each had a vision that kept them going with |
| Have you missed a few shots or made a few | | | | every failed attempt. |
| mistakes? | | | | When Jordan was tired and was ready to call it a |
| So what, get over it! | | | | day, he would close his eyes and see the lockers |
| Did you know that Jordan was even cut from the | | | | without his name. |
| varsity team? He didn't "quit!" He practiced, and | | | | Suddenly, he wasn't tired. |
| often. | | | | For Edison it was a lifetime of reading, and learning |
| Here's what I know is true. Michael worked hard | | | | that inspired him. |
| to become the great player he was. | | | | Edison was known for saying things like: |
| Was it easy? No! Was there doubt? Yes! | | | | "Genius is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine |
| In fact Jordan was convinced as a youth, that | | | | per cent perspiration." |
| until he was taller he wasn't going to be as good a | | | | "I am not discouraged, because every wrong |
| player as he wanted to be. | | | | attempt discarded is another step forward." |
| Jordan finally learned from his father that practice, | | | | Did Edison stop with the incandescent light bulb, |
| determination, and a commitment to playing his | | | | no! |
| best were the ingredients of a champion. | | | | He immediately went to work creating a method, |
| Jordan made the commitment to be a great | | | | a system, to deliver power to the location of the |
| basketball player. He literally devoted his life to the | | | | light bulb. |
| game. | | | | Without power the light bulb wasn't much more |
| What about you, what are you committed to? | | | | than a novelty. |
| In your work, are you just going through the | | | | Decide what you want and be committed. |
| motions? | | | | Learn what motivates you best and use it. |
| Are you waiting for someone else to give you a | | | | Don't worry about having all of the answers. Don't |
| chance? Even worse, have you given up and | | | | worry about being the best. |
| decided that something better isn't possible. | | | | Focus on being consistent! |
| Either way, there still is another option and it | | | | It is so important to realize that your results are |
| requires you to take a stand. It requires you to | | | | "NOT YOU!" Your results are simply "the results." |
| "make a commitment to YOU and what you | | | | Your results are an indicator for you to either |
| want!" | | | | change course or not. |
| Take time to consider, are you really committed? | | | | If you don't like your results then change what |
| If so, what are you committed to? | | | | you are doing. |
| What is it you want? | | | | Before you can achieve something that is out of |
| You are sitting on a bench facing a basketball | | | | the ordinary you must be committed to |
| court and on the court there are a couple of | | | | something more than surviving. |
| people each with a basketball. | | | | Like Edison said: "Hell, there are no rules here - |
| One person is simply sitting on the court with the | | | | we're trying to accomplish something." |
| ball between their legs, not showing much interest. | | | | What is it you are wanting to accomplish? |
| The second person is taking one shot after | | | | If your trying to do everything, stop! |
| another. Despite the many misses she keeps on | | | | Pick one thing and do it "EXTREMELY WELL!" |
| shooting. | | | | Heck,why not be the best you can be at what |
| In fact you can sense that she is a little | | | | you choose? |
| frustrated with the number of misses. | | | | Being the best you can be doesn't mean you |
| Who are you more inclined to want to reach out | | | | have to be the most talented. |
| to? | | | | The world is full of talented and extraordinary |
| The one who is taking the shots, and out there | | | | people living ordinary lives in quiet desperation, |
| making an effort. | | | | waiting for a miracle. |
| How different is this scenario from your business | | | | STOP WAITING! |
| or work environment? | | | | You always have a choice, it's your life! |
| If you are the boss, which of your employees | | | | It is always "YOUR CHOICE!" |
| are you most likely to offer an opportunity? | | | | James B Smith |
| If you are an employee, who is it that seems to | | | | A Life of Possibility Be Bold, Be Extraordinary, Be |
| be given the most opportunities on your job? | | | | You! |
| (Sure there will be exceptions. Just know that | | | | Copyright © James B Smith, All Rights |
| they exist and that they are just that | | | | Reserved |
| "exceptions!") | | | | Please Note: The author of this article has |
| Just like in sports, more often than not, it is the | | | | authorized its distribution with the requirement |
| person who is committed to something and who | | | | that it be published in its entirety, without |
| is out there making an effort and taking action | | | | changes, including the author's resource box. |
| that will command the most attention. | | | | Please notify the Author with a copy of your |
| Why would it be any different? | | | | publication. |
| After some 2,000 tries, and a year and a half of | | | | |