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What does Michael Jordan have to do with working less and making more? Lots. Michael Jordan is a good example of what happens when you focus on and maximize your talents and strengths. He’s also a good example of what happens when you don’t maximize your strengths and talents.
We all have things we’re really good at doing. And most of us aren’t just limited to one thing. Chances are, you’re probably brilliant at many different things. But there’s a difference between being brilliant at something, and loving something. When you focus on something you’re brilliant at, you’re using your strengths and talents in the best possible way. When you focus on something you love doing, you have a lot of fun but aren’t really using your strengths and talents in the best way possible.
Let’s get back to Michael Jordan. Michael Jordan is an amazing basketball player, so good that people were willing to pay him millions of dollars a year to play. And chances are Michael Jordan was born to play basketball. There was something in him that, when correctly nurtured, allowed him to be the greatest. He had a gift. And while all his hard work certainly shouldn’t be undermined—it’s that hard work that helped him hone his sport and become the greatest instead of just a good player—I could spend three times as much time on the basketball court as Michael Jordan and not even come close to being as good as he is. It’s not that I’m a bad basketball player. I just wouldn’t call it one of my gifts. So Michael Jordan is a good example of someone who recognized his gift, honed it, and as a result enjoyed great success.
Okay, so why is Michael Jordan also a good example of what happens when you don’t maximize your strengths and talents? Well, you may remember that at one time Michael Jordan decided to focus on professional baseball. Michael loved baseball and was having a lot of fun, but he wasn’t exactly brilliant at it. And while he was focused on baseball, he wasn’t able to focus on basketball. He wasn’t maximizing his strengths and talents.
Be smart about designing your life around your strengths and talents. Your strengths and talents are your allies when it comes to working less and making more. Focus on what you do best—at what you shine at—and success will come easy. Just look at Michael Jordan.
