LESSON OF THE WEEK: What We Can Learn from LeBron James’ Career (Act II)
Cleveland, Kingdom Reign One: Ability Does Not Guarantee Success, or Happiness
“Behind very successful man, there’s a lot of unsuccessful years”. -Bob Brown
When you are proclaimed to be “The Chosen One”, everything you ever dreamed of is inevitable, right?
Not so much…
That was not the case for King David, Napoleon, John F. Kennedy, or Anakin Skywalker. It damn sure was not the case for LeBron James either, at least not in the early years of his professional career. The stars seemed to be aligned for the self proclaimed king: his youth, energy, leadership, and natural ability rapidly transcended to worldwide stardom. The harsh reality, all of that wasn’t enough, how could it? Sure, LeBron received accomplishments 99% of his fellow professional colleagues could only dream about; first overall draft selection, Rookie of the Year (2004), Olympic Gold Medalist (2008), NBA’s Most Valuable Player (2009 & 2010), a successful documentary, and considered arguably the best offensive and defensive player among 450 others in his early 20s. For most players who have the privilege to compete in professional basketball, LeBron James had a Hall of Fame resumé before he truly realized his ability, isn’t that something special? Still, it wasn’t enough… how could it? LeBron had the physical characteristics and charisma to be a champion of the highest level, but this could not be accomplished without championing his mind. Soon, comparisons to other NBA legends such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Magic Johnson began to rain on LeBron’s image; intensifying expectations that only a great few humans could endure. One of my favorites quotes ever comes from President Theodore Roosevelt, who famously uttered “Comparison, is the thief of joy”. LeBron was smart enough to not cast the immense pressure of these comparisons to the media, but internally, we can almost be certain those were depriving him of his joy. In 2010, his final post game press conference for the Cleveland Cavaliers after another crushing elimination by arch nemesis Boston Celtics, LeBron revealed to the media that a friend reminded him “You have to go through a lot of nightmares before accomplishing your dreams”.. That was the exact feeling in his individual life at the time. This may have been the first time in LeBron James’ uncommon career, that he had to take on that uncomfortable reality we all do our best to avoid, reflection. He realized that his mentality needed refinement, and it was time to step even further out of the comfort zone. To be the champion he always strived to be, LeBron had to accept that ability alone could never be enough.
Just because we seem to handing things well, doesn’t mean we can’t take it strides further. Just because we’ve grasped onto glimmers of success, doesn’t mean comfortability is an option. Just because things appear ‘good’ to everyone else, doesn’t mean we actually ‘happy’. When comparisons approach you, kick them back where they came from. When doubt trickles in, spit that shit back out. When you realize your ability does not equate to victories you hope, segment your goals and silence your ego. When you reach your moment of self-reflection, open your mind and keep moving forward. And always remember, when you are uncommon, it is NEVER enough.