My brother and I had just finished playing two games of one-on-one.

He had just beaten me twice.

After walking together to get some water, we sat on the steel criss-cross patterned, green bench, just to the side of the asphalt basketball court we had just played against one another on.

We were the only people there.

He asked me, “When you play Jordan are you going to give it everything you have?  Are you going to be totally exhausted when you’re done?”

He knew I hadn’t given the games my all.

He said, “You should beat me every time right now.  You’re taller.  You’re in better shape.  You’re a better shooter.  But I don’t think you even beat me 50% of the time.”

He questioned my defense, “You should be able to stop me from scoring, but your defense….”

He didn’t even finish.  He didn’t need to.  He had made his point.

He was calling me out.

Hearing all of that bothered me.

My competitive spirit rushed out from the depths of my being and said, “I CAN DO ALL OF THAT!”

He responded, “Well, you should.”

THANK YOU BOB ELLER!

A couple of posts ago I wrote about my advantage.  I wrote about my support system and how it has so much to do with my success.  Him calling me out was just another example.

I knew when he was saying it.  I knew when my mind and tongue were forming my response.  I knew the whole time he was right.

My brother wasn’t calling me out to make me feel bad or to make me doubt my game.

He was calling me out to make sure I make the most of my abilities each and every time.

He was calling me out so that I never take a day off.

He was calling me out so that I always prepare by giving my all.

He was calling me out because he cares.

Who Calls YOU Out?

Who cares about you so much that they will speak up, even if uncomfortable, to help you maximize your potential?

Who will shake you and help you see your abilities even if your vision is clouded?

Who will encourage you when you need motivation?

Who will be honest with you?

Who will help make you better?

Who will be selfless?

Who will call you out?

Preparing for “WHEN” not “if” I play Michael Jordan

As the months have gone by, I’m hearing more and more “when’s” and less and less “ifs” from people when referring to the my match-up with MJ.

With each step, the day that I stand in front of the man I watched play so many games, saw on so many commercials, gets closer.

The day that I take all of the work I’m doing now and put it into action against the guy who got me into basketball, could happen anytime, but will surely happen in nine months time.

My brother calling me out reminded me of that.

He reminded me to prepare for WHEN, because it IS going to happen and I surely don’t want to waste my opportunity.

Are You Preparing For When?

Are you preparing for when you are the CEO, or your blog reaches thousands of subscribers?

Are you preparing for when your passion project reaches its end and becomes a reality?

With any goal it’s hard to always stay motivated.  It’s difficult to always give your all.

When I think about the difference between Michael Jordan and most every other basketball player though, his ability to give everything, every single time, made him the greatest ever.

Mike Jordan didn’t take nights off.  He took every single moment and prepared for WHEN he would be the greatest.

We all should do our best to do the same.

Going Forward

I can’t wait to get my brother back on the basketball court.

I can’t wait to do everything possible to shut him down and dominate him.

He wouldn’t have it any other way.

Who calls YOU out?