Tag: the process
LESSON OF THE WEEK: What We Can Learn from LeBron James’ Career (Act II)

LESSON OF THE WEEK: What We Can Learn from LeBron James’ Career (Act II)

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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.
VIRTUE OF THE WEEK: LOVE (WHAT YOU DO)

VIRTUE OF THE WEEK: LOVE (WHAT YOU DO)

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What is your morning routine? Do you even have a morning routine? What is the first impulse your mind has when you wake up in the morning? Do you wake up before dawn or right before noon? Do you have goals for your day or do you go with flow?

The right answer to all of these questions? There is no right answer, however, there is a catch. There are plenty of self help books and motivational messages that will tell you an individual needs that 8 hour sleep, that morning coffee with vitamins and minerals, to wake up at 5 o’clock before anyone else, to be the first in and the last one out. While I agree many of these things are essential, and I have them implemented in my own life; I also understand these “cheat codes for success” aren’t always universal.

What is universal? Love. I’m not necessarily speaking about the traditional concept of love that involves a romance and affection, that love is hopefully a given. The love I’m speaking about is both a feeling and an action, developed by being in love with commitment and the process towards results.

Mark Twain once uttered “The law of work seems unfair, but nothing can change it; the more enjoyment you get out of your work, the more riches you will make”.

While Twain is mainly referencing money, I believe he may of intentionally shared a type of allegory that expands farther and deeper than monetary wealth. Ultimately, we are all underpaid, as the true value of the work we put in isn’t all accounted for in our paychecks. This is where love matters, as love can accrue as a form of currency that makes up for the taxation you’ll never see come back to your bank account. The late legend Kobe Bryant in a 2018 interview shared on Lewis Howes’ “School of Greatness” what love meant to him personally. While Kobe recognized that traditional love can equate to happiness, he gives love the analogy of a storm. He said “Things are never perfect, but through love you can continue to persevere (and weather the storm)..”

This is why I tell people that I personally do not believe there is a “love at first sight”. For a rare few, loving is a talent. It is rooted in their DNA to be always be graceful and put others before him in unconditional circumstances. For the majority of people, I would argue that love is a skill and that with any skill you must invest time and energy into the craft if you desire to see improvement. Love is not about merely doing nor feeling; because if you don’t couple them both, love fails.

Starting today, considering refining your skills in love by being committed to the process of improvement. Wake up at whatever hour, but when it’s time to begin your work you ought to be committed to seeing results fueled by your passion. If that is not the case in your career, then you do not love what you do and you are shorting yourself. When at home with your significant other or children, are you taking the time to spend quality moments with them? Or instead,  you may be too distracted by things out of your control, if so you are again shorting your family or friends. Commit and hold investment in improving their day.

The big one, are you committed to loving yourself? No matter how many hours you are awake today or the amount activities you indulge in, be committed to the process and results that come with it. Do not give yourself an out, do not pull out too early on your investment, and do not fold when things get tough. Have goals or go with the flow, just be committed.

Love what you do, and love will find you.