Michael Jordan was perhaps the best basketball player of all time. You don’t become the best without learning a few things about persistence, motivation, and success.
We’ve combed through Michael Jordan’s writing and interviews and found some of his most inspirational quotes. Share your favorite, and no matter what, keep on trying.
I’d failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.Michael Jordan
I’ve never lost a game. I just ran out of time.Michael Jordan
Everybody has talent but ability takes hard work.Michael Jordan
No brain, no gain. Stay in school.Michael Jordan
Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it or work around it.Michael Jordan
I can accept failure but I can’t accept not trying.Michael Jordan
Work ethics eliminates fear.Michael Jordan
The key to success is failure.Michael Jordan
People ask me if I could fly. I said, yeah.. For a little while.Michael Jordan
If you quit once it becomes a habit. Never quit.Michael Jordan
Never say never, because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.Michael Jordan
To be successful you have to be selfish, or else you never achieve. And once you get to your highest level, then you have to be unselfish. Stay reachable. Stay in touch. Don’t isolate.Michael Jordan
If you do the work, you get rewarded. There are no short cuts in life.Michael Jordan
Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.Michael Jordan
You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.Michael Jordan
Make it happen.Michael Jordan
I’ve never been afraid to fail.Michael Jordan
If nobody will help you, do it alone.Michael Jordan
All I knew is that I never wanted to be average.Michael Jordan
When I lose the sense of motivation and the sense to prove something as a basketball player, it’s time for me to move away from the game.Michael Jordan
My attitude is that if you push me towards something that you think is a weakness, then I will turn that perceived weakness into a strength.Michael Jordan
Some people dream of success. While others wake up and work hard at it.Michael Jordan
Talent wins games but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.Michael Jordan
My body could stand the crutches but my mind couldn’t stand the sideline.Michael Jordan
I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.Michael Jordan
I’m not out there sweating for three hours every day just to find out what it feels like to sweat.Michael Jordan
Even when I’m old and grey I won’t be able to play it but I’ll still love the game.Michael Jordan
There is no “I” in team but there is in win.Michael Jordan
The game is my wife. It demands loyalty and responsibility, and it gives me back fulfillment and peace.Michael Jordan
Excellence isn’t a one-week or one-year ideal. It’s a constant.Michael Jordan
You have to be un-compromised in your level of commitment to whatever you are doing, or it can disappear as fast as it appeared. Commitment cannot be compromised by rewards.Michael Jordan
I realized that I’m black but I like to be viewed as a person and this is everyone’s wish.Michael Jordan
What is love? Love is playing every game as if it’s your last.Michael Jordan
Fear is an obstacle for some people, it is an illusion to me.Michael Jordan
If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them: everybody has had them.Michael Jordan
You have to rise to our level. We’re not going to drop down to yours.Michael Jordan
One of the keys to success is having the discipline to do something , even when you don’t feel like doing it.Michael Jordan
