Lifestyle Transformations Blog

I decided to read Michael Jordan’s biography, titled “Driven from Within” as my first book for The 8 Week Book Reading Challenge. 

I know I’m supposed to read a book per week, but this book was so awesome that I couldn’t put it down and finished it within 3 days of starting it.

Driven from Within is a book about MOTIVATION, DRIVE and AUTHENTICITY.  It’s how Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player of all time, became who he is.  He shares a lot about his own values and beliefs, which drive him to become the best. 

It all started with an appetite to prove.  Whether it was competing with my siblings or trying to get attention from my parents, I wanted to show what I could do, what I was capable of accomplishing.  I wanted results, and I was driven to find out the best way to get them.

I can relate to this.  A lot of the motivation I had to become successful socially and within my relationships, was to prove people wrong.  It was to to taint their opinion and judgments of me, and to show them what I was REALLY capable of. 

Michael Jordan talks about how easy it was to find ways to motivate himself each and every game.  It didn’t matter what the importance of the game was, he still found the way to be outstanding every moment he was on the court.  He claims his driving force and passion was to impress people with what he could do.

At every game, he thought about that person who had never experienced the excitement or entertainment he could provide.  It was the idea somebody might be sitting there who had never seen Michael Jordan play.  For him, the entertainment and excitement he brought to the table was his way of OFFERING VALUE.

Michael didn’t start out as a “natural” basketball player by any means.  In fact, he was more interested in baseball as a kid.  But, he proved that you didn’t have to be born with a natural ability, but rather through HARD WORK and DEDICATION, you can make it possible.

He always focused on how he could become better.  Constantly improving himself.  It was never “okay, I’ve won three championships in a row now, an Olympic gold medal, etc… I don’t need to practice anymore.”  He was all about practice and improving.  He was about developing healthy habits and dedicating himself to it.

He led by example.  He didn’t need to vocalize his leadership, but rather he knew that others would look at his hard work and the way he conducted himself, and they would raise their standard up to his level because of it.  He led by action.

A lot of what Michael Jordan describes in this book is easy to relate to with success in any area of life.  It’s the same principles. 

If you’re shy and quiet and want to become a social butterfly; it takes hard work, dedication and practice.

If you’re nervous approaching and talking to women, and wish to become more confident and attractive; it’s the same principles.

Another important concept he talks about is AUTHENTICITY.  Everything he did was a reflection of WHO HE IS.  Everything he did in basketball, baseball, racecar driving, in business, with his Air Jordan brand and Nike shoes were all a reflection of his true self.  Everything was congruent and aligned with his values and principles.  He was being authentic.

You could tell throughout the book he has a great deal of passion about everything he involves himself with.  It’s because everything is linked up with his IDENTITY and SENSE OF SELF.

This is a great book.  Whether or not you’re a Michael Jordan fan or a basketball fan, this book is a MUST in your journey through life.

Click here if you’re interested in purchasing the book from Amazon.

Stefan
Executive Coach
Lifestyle Transformations

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