Not Trying Is Unacceptable

"I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying." - Michael Jordan

Who said it

Michael Jordan is held by many people to be the greatest basketball player the sport has ever seen. Achieving six NBA championships, several Season and Finals MVP awards and other accolades, Jordan has become synonymous to winning in professional basketball. Jordan played for the Chicago Bulls and has given the club six championships, achieving the feat in two three-peat championships, or three consecutive championships. Jordan is also known for his acrobatic shots that defy gravity and capture the amazement of both fans and players alike. Due to his aerial skill and dexterity, Jordan has been called “His Airness” by fans and announcers. Included in the NBA 50 Greatest Players, Jordan is considered a basketball icon by basketball players around the world.

What it means

If you want to learn about success, you can’t do wrong should you listen to Michael Jordan. This quote dispels the magic aura over Jordan as someone born with the talent and destiny for greatness. As this quote implies, Jordan has known failures, but that is what is not unacceptable. What is unforgivable is the lack of willingness to try and work hard at something. As can be seen, even the greatest basketball player of all time fails, and even Jordan has to try and work hard at his game to be successful. This is an important lesson, not only for basketball fans, but for all of us. And this seems to be the recipe for Jordan’s success.