It’s never been done before
It’s not possible
We can’t do it that way
How many times have you heard statements like these, or worse yet, said them to yourself?
Last night I watched the Ben Affleck / Matt Damon movie, Air. Beyond being a good movie about an iconic basketball star and the shoe company that believed in him, it got me thinking about the difference between I SHOULD and I BELIEVE.
For anyone who has been living under a rock, Michael Jordan has been named the most popular athlete in the history of the world (Bleacher Report). Beyond his expertise on the basketball court, Jordan inked the first deal ever made by a professional athlete that gave him a share of the revenue of the products that bore his name.
How did he do this?
He (and his family) BELIEVED.
Michael should have been happy with the largest endorsement deal Nike had ever offered (250k, no revenue share).
Nike should not have been an actual contender to get Michael’s endorsement. Adidas was exceptionally popular at the time (specifically with Michael) and Converse had most of the really big-name basketball stars on their roster. Nike had never landed a basketball deal, and had underfunded that division.
However, in this case, both parties threw the shoulds out. They walked into BELIEVE and together made 162 million dollars in their first year as partners, creating the most iconic sneaker of all time (Business Insider).
The problem with I SHOULD is, it is already limiting before you even get started. Should feels like judgment; it collapses possibilities and you give all your power away.
Do you think Michael should-ed himself to 15 successful seasons in the NBA and 6 national championships?
Absolutely not.
Michael had an internal drive to win; he held a deep desire to be the best, and he chose to work hard and set himself up for success.
When you choose an action; when you believe it is the right thing to do, and when you act with conscious intent, the possibilities are endless. Words matter. Try to get rid of “should and “must,” and instead consider:
I choose
I believe
I want
I decide
Sherry and I talk about how to avoid should-ing on yourself on the podcast this week. Check it out here, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
