-Dallas, TX (March 1, 2012)

In short, this is kind of how I imagined my time in the Shark Tank with Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks and Forbes current resident of spot #546 on the list of the World’s Billionaires, going in the weeks leading up to our lunch meeting.

“Kenny, I absolutely LOVE what you’re doing at mevsMJ.com!  After lunch, let’s go shoot some hoops, and while we’re on our way to the American Airlines Center, I’ll call Michael (as in Michael Jordan) and get something set up so you guys can play!  In the meantime, tomorrow you can play Dirk and maybe JT (Jason Terry)!”

In between all of that, there would have been great food and friendly banter.  We would exchange contact information and in the end, I would have the unwavering support of one of the most influential individuals on this green and blue marble we call home.

Overly optimistic?  Perhaps.

But if I were writing this story, my time with Mark Cuban would have been the chapter where the dream of playing hoops with Michael Jordan became a reality.  The time where it was proven that with faith and hard work, all things are possible!

This journey of mine to play basketball with MJ however, is no Hollywood creation.  My meeting with Mr. Cuban didn’t include an underlying section of inspirational music placed there to make your eyes leak.

Instead, it was 100% real.

It was uncensored, eye opening, thought challenging, inspiring and so much more than I ever expected.

Here are a few of the stories from our time together.

*I will in no way fully capture the moments that I do share, but honestly that’s on purpose, so I apologize ahead of time.  Unexpectedly, a lot of what happened was so personal, that I’m just not willing to share.  Still, I feel it’s important to offer some sort of update to all those that support me.  I appreciate you all!

“Oh yeah, I know about your site!”

After some initial greetings and conversation, I began telling Mark about this journey of mine to play Michael Jordan.

Within moments, he responded, “Oh yeah, I know about your site!  You’ve played the guy that played in Brazil, the 6’4″ guy at VT, the tall high school kid…”

To which I interjected, in an almost shocked tone, “Yeah!”

We spoke more in depth about my journey, why it began, where I currently am in the process and there was no doubt that Mark Cuban had a firm grasp on what I was looking to accomplish.

I was amazed that he, himself, had been to the site and knew so much about it!

He even shared that he had attended the Senior Flight School (the Jordan camp I was going to attend before it was canceled last year) twice himself!

Challenge, Resistance & a Solution

Mark then went on to challenge nearly every aspect of this journey, offering more resistance to the idea than I could have ever imagined.

For what seemed like an eternity, he spoke with brutal honesty on every reason that he felt my game with MJ wouldn’t happen.

I pressed back, offering my own rebuttals to each issue, but his mind had been made up.

Then he offered a solution for me to get the game with Jordan.  He broke it down, detailing exactly what he would do and while I won’t share at this time what that discussion entailed, I will say, it made a lot of sense!

A First Bump and a Nice Video!

Weeks prior to my get together with Mark, I had been working on two pieces for our lunch meeting.

Keep in mind, I had no idea exactly how much time he would have, so I had a marketing piece and video created, just in case our meeting was cut short.

The marketing piece was the mastermind of my buddy, who runs a marketing company here in Orlando.  The idea was to take Mark down memory lane, from the very beginning to several key points in his life.  This was to be achieved through the use of a custom folder with a cutout section in the front.  Behind the front cover was a wheel, which had a picture and a word associated with each photo.  As the wheel was turned, the picture would capture something pivotal in Mark’s life and the word would then sum it up.  The final picture was a QR code linking back to a special video and message on my site exclusively for Mark, with the words “My Dream”.

After reading through Mark’s book several times, I made the selections on what I wanted to cover (powdered milk, fluffy towels, American Airlines, Bobby Knight (Indiana Basketball), and him holding the NBA Championship trophy) and the piece was put together.

Mark loved it!  A huge smile came over his face as he made each turn of the wheel, stopping after just the second turn to give me a fist bump and say, “Thank you so much for this, it’s great!”

As he worked his way through the piece we spoke briefly on each section, until he got to the QR code, which prompted him to say with a big smile, “Oh, nice!  Very smart!  You’ve got my interest piqued, so now I have to scan the code and check it out.  I like it!”

I then asked him, if he had another minute to watch the video I had produced.

He said, “Sure, absolutely!” and I handed him my iPad with the video shown below cued up.

httpvh://youtu.be/gZnpgqrKNWo

[Video Link]

While I’m currently working with another friend on a video series for this site (more on this soon), I wanted to debut the first one in the series exclusively to Mark.

The idea came to me one afternoon and I recorded the audio on my iPhone and sent it over to my buddy.  He then took it from there and put together what you see above, which I’m so proud of!

“Nice video!  Man I was waiting to see you play some!  Who did this for you??” came from what I took as a somewhat impressed Mr. Cuban.

Nice Stroke!  (+ some coaching from an NBA owner)

I then pulled up the video of me going 22 of 24 from 3pt land on my cell phone and handed that over to Mark.

He watched over three and a half minutes of the nearly four minute video, saying within moments, “You’ve got a nice stroke!”

He then identified what he perceived as a weakness (can’t tell you what that is, because MJ is probably reading this, haha), which had never been pointed out to me before.

I sat there thinking, this is crazy!  I have Mark Cuban watching me play hoops and critiquing my play!  The thing is, he was absolutely correct and I’ve already begun working on correcting the issue!  So surreal!

“As well as it could have without me setting up the game with Michael.”

With the lunch winding down, Mark said something to the effect of, “Well, I hope you’ve gotten what you wanted out of the time.”

With a smile, I said, “Well, yeah…”

To which he responded, “Let me guess, it’s gone as well as it could have without me setting up the game with Michael.”

I laughed and said, “Exactly!”

An Email from Mark and Tickets to the Game!

After finding out that we’d (myself and my buddy Karol) be in town through the weekend, Mark said he’d hook us up with tickets for Saturday night’s game!

I responded with, “Really?  That’s awesome!”

He confirmed, “Sure, not a problem.  Just email me!”

A bit baffled, I questioned, “Just email you?”

He said, “Yeah, just email me.”

Later that night, hours after the lunch had come to a close, I sent him a quick email thanking him again for his time and for the tickets.

Within five minutes, he responded back, confirming the tickets and closed his email with something that made me laugh.

He said, “Enjoy the game guys, and No asking any of the players to play 1-on-1!”

This is what I saw when I showed my ID at will call.

(The seats were floor seats!)

An Over 2 Hour Lunch with Mark Cuban

In the over two hours that Karol and I spent with Mark, we discussed everything from hoops to dancing with the stars and everything else in between.

I challenged him to a push-up contest, shooting contest, we invited ourselves on his upcoming trips, asked if he wanted to play some hoops and of course asked if he would call or put in a good word for me with MJ.

He took it all in stride.

While we were unsure of how much time we would have with Mr. Cuban (the charity had said up to 75 minutes), we were both blown away at his unrushed willingness to hang out and talk about any and everything.

Once we realized how long he had been with us (over two hours), we both thanked him for spending so much of his time with us, to which he responded, “Not a problem.  I like you guys.  If I didn’t, I would have been out of here in 10 minutes!”

After lunch, he walked us out to our car, took a picture and was on his way.

As he walked away, I yelled out, “Don’t forget to scan that QR code!”

To which he quipped, “Uh, huh!”

Great times for sure!

The Journey Continues!

So there was no call to MJ.  No game has been set up.

Still, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Mark Cuban, including his challenging of what I’m looking to accomplish.

The great thing with being challenged is that it strips away everything and leaves you with the pureness of what the journey is all about.

I’m proud of how I handled myself and while I can’t read Mr. Cuban’s mind, I feel he was impressed as well.

I put forth effort in preparation, just as I have on this journey, and did all I could do to make the most of the opportunity.  I think he knows that.

I learned, was inspired, and truly had a great time.

Hopefully he did as well.  (Yes, Mr. Cuban, we can hang at the end of the month when the Mavs play in Orlando. ;-))

I WILL play Michael Jordan!

This past Tuesday I was back to training, back to making new connections, still hopeful that someone will be willing to help me prove that ALL things are possible with Faith and Hard Work.

I will play MJ.  I’m determined to succeed.

I must admit the depth of this journey has far exceeded my expectations.

Mark Cuban last week…what is coming next?  Only time will tell!

me vs MJ…the journey continues!  As always, thank you for following along!

PS:  Mark, I look forward to seeing you at the game WHEN I play MJ (even if I have to make what we discussed happen, haha)! – Thank you again! – Yes, I know you’re reading this!

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Connect:  Twitter (@KennyEller) and mevsMJ.com Facebook Fan Page.

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If you’re new to the site, I set out in August 2010 to get a game of 1-on-1 vs. my childhood hero Michael Jordan.  This site is about that journey…through every valley, to every mountain top of triumph!

Note:  23 Questions is a new feature here at mevsMJ.com and its goal is to shed a little light and have some fun with some of the very best basketball players in the country.  When I came up with the concept, the very first person I thought of was Morgan Jones, someone I had met a few months ago.  Morgan was happy to help and with that 23 Questions is born!

I stood stationary but ready underneath the goal, next to a young woman, one of only two at the particular workout this past May.  The coach standing behind us at the free throw line instructed, “Backboard, baseline, backboard, backboard, get the ball!”

The 6’2″ young lady and I did as instructed and then sprinted out to the three point line towards a ball sitting comfortably in a chair.  The objective being the first one to the ball would be on offense and the other on defense and then it was 1-on-1.

I got to the chair just before my opposition and nonchalantly reached for the ball.  Just as my hands were on the basketball, my opponent ripped the ball away knocking the chair over, jab stepped to the middle and went baseline laying in the contested shot.

Hello Morgan Jones!

No one told me that I was matched up against the 9th ranked high school women’s basketball player in the country according to ESPN.  They didn’t tell me I was going against a McDonald’s All-American.  I didn’t know she won a State Title for Lake Mary high school (113-11 in her HS career) or that she was Central Florida’s Girl Player of the Year.  I also didn’t know that she had signed a hoops scholarship with Northwestern University.

All I knew after she scored was that she had game and plenty of it.

This may or may not be the first you’ve heard of Ms. Morgan Jones, but either way I have a feeling it will not be the last.  She won’t allow it!

Without further ado, here is the first installment of 23 Questions, featuring Morgan Jones!

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 23 Questions with Northwestern’s own MJ, Morgan Jones:

1.  What sparked your interest in basketball?  

Morgan Jones:  I grew up with it.  My older sister (Tailor Jones-Also at Northwestern) played and my parents had their own organization called D.E.B.O.

2.  What’s your jersey number and why do you wear it?

MJ:  #1 … I have had this number since I first started playing at the age of eight. Throughout the recruiting process I made sure the school had the #1. (superstitious)

3.  Favorite Food?

MJ:  I will eat just about anything but I LOVE pasta and a big fan of seafood!

4. Hidden Talent (Something you’re good at that most don’t know about)?  

MJ:  I can cook!

5.  Something you’re surprisingly really bad at?

MJ:  Singing… but sometimes I make myself believe that I can when the music’s blasting.

6.  Favorite Musician/Group?

MJ:  RICK ROSS

7.  Proudest moment as a basketball player thus far?

MJ:  As a freshman I set a goal to work to be a top ten player in the country and by the end of my junior year I was 9^th!

8.  If you didn’t play basketball, what else would you enjoy doing?

MJ:  Modeling.

9.  What advice would you have for someone looking to achieve your level of success on the court?

MJ:  Have fun while working hard at it and God will take care of the rest.

10.  Who are your role model(s)?

MJ:  My Mom and Dad.

11.  What is your earliest basketball memory?

MJ:  Playing on co-ed teams at the YMCA.

12.  Twitter or Facebook?

MJ:  Twitter (@MsMorGan_JOnES)

13.  If you could meet any celebrity who would it be?  

MJ:  RICK ROSS haha!!

14.  What kind of basketball shoes do you wear?

MJ:  I don’t have a specific pair but being that I’m at Northwestern, Derrick Roses’ adiZero Adidas will be on my feet this season.

15.  Favorite pre-game meal?

MJ:  Pasta

16.  Do you have any pre-game superstitions?

MJ:  NAP

17.  Favorite Athlete?

MJ:  Don’t have one.

18.  What motivates you?

MJ:  When one doubts me.

19.  During an average week, how often do you play basketball and or do something related to basketball like conditioning?

MJ:  Like 5 days out of the week.  It varies with seasons.

20.  As you know, my dream is to play Michael Jordan 1-on-1, what is your dream?

MJ:  To be doing creative marketing for the NBA, Gatorade, Nike etc.

21.  How do you think you would fair today against MJ 1-on-1?  

MJ:  I’d dunk on him haha!!

22.  How do you think you would do against Jordan in his prime?

MJ:    ….

23.  Any advice for me for WHEN I play Jordan?

MJ:  Just don’t let him cross you or dunk on you.  That’ll be a fair game

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Thank You Morgan!

Special THANKS to the wonderful Morgan Jones for taking time to be a part of the journey here at mevsMJ.com!  Best of luck at Northwestern!  I’ll be rooting for you every step of the way!

Be sure to follow Morgan’s journey on Twitter @MsMorGan_JOnES!

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Road to 100 Free Throws In A Row UDPATE!

So after being stuck on 34 free throws in a row for some time, I finally broke through and made 40 in a row last week.  Honestly, I haven’t been putting in the work at the line like I need to be, but I’m still in pursuit of the goal!  40 leaves me quite a distance from my goal of 100 consecutive, but it IS POSSIBLE!  Stay tuned!!!

The journey of me vs. Michael Jordan continues!!!!  Thank you for following along!

Have you ever gotten close to greatness?

I mean so close that you could extend your hand and introduce yourself?

I have.

Greatness is one selfish bastard!

It wants all of your time. It wants to be number one in your life.

If you seek it out, greatness will show you what it takes to live in its world and it may even give you a taste of the “great” life.

I’ve rushed to the gym the last five days in a row like a crackhead looking for another fix. I don’t just like hearing the ball swish through the net without touching the rim, I crave it. I can’t get enough.

With my feet, knees and lower back begging for relief I keep after greatness one shot followed by another until my soul is soaked with effort.

I replay every move that has beaten me in my 1-on-1 match-ups until it’s mine. I run faster and shoot quicker with imaginary defenders trailing my every move until they tire and retreat.

Greatness is the illegitimate child of a passionate woman and a ‘me first’ man.

At some point in every person’s life they chase greatness for a bit. Most stop running after only a few steps because being in a relationship with the great one will strip you down and leave you naked. It’s a tireless journey that few have the will to withstand.

Some experience its glory and others learn early on that the fame it can lend to you isn’t worth the sacrifice.

Greatness doesn’t even blink. Instead it moves on to the next in search of its needed love, never remembering your name or that you even dated.

I’ve seen Michael Jordan take left handed jumpers that mirrored the perfection of his strong hand. I’ve seen Dominque Wilkins jab step with both feet so well that you’d have no idea which way he preferred.

In their pursuit of the absolutely gorgeous “G” when they mastered one aspect of the game, greatness said now master this. Hungry at its core, greatness settles only at perfection.

It’s not for everyone.

If you’re ready to choose it over time with friends, movies with your spouse, dinners with your family, as I have, then you might have a chance to call it yours one day.

The cringing truth is that in order to know it well, something must be sacrificed and that can’t be your time in pursuit.

Maybe you have an endless amount of hours and no one or thing will ever feel neglected in your chase. More than likely though, you’ll do as I do and spend your time praying that others understand and move forward regardless.

With sweat escaping from my face and dripping off my finger tips I paused as a young man approached me the other day and said, “Man, you’re really good at basketball!”

After a quick thank you, I was nudged by the selfish bastard and reminded that I’m not good enough…yet.

Back to work I went. Back to work I go.

With all due respect, I’m coming for you Mr. Jordan!

Up 8-1 in game two of our 1-on-1 match-up, I looked into the eyes of professional hoopster Andy Gebru and saw no doubt.

In games which the majority expects me to lose, the pressure is always on the pro to perform and ultimately to win.

Yet down substantially in a game to just 15 points, Andy was surprisingly calm as if he and panic had never been introduced.

The Experience Factor

All that we have to draw upon in challenging times is our life experiences.  When it comes to basketball, Andy has far more of those than I do and honestly against a much higher level of competition than myself.

Because of those experiences, he was never worried IF he would win the game.  He knew he would.  He had no doubt.

That is so powerful!

Imagine Having No Doubt

Imagine having no doubt.  Imagine being so confident in your abilities that your only option is success!

Playing against me, that’s exactly what Andy feels.  After playing against him and other players that’s now how I feel when I play regular people like myself.

In my natural grouping of players I have no doubt.  I actually hadn’t lost a game of 1-on-1 since playing Andy back in June until this past weekend against my bro (he knows me like a book!).

How To Gain The “No Doubt” Mindset

So how do I gain that same no doubt mentality when I play against high level and pro players?

For me the answer is simply, continue to expand my scope by playing against the best as often as possible until the unknown is known.  Every time I step on the court against a guy who gets paid to play, that’s exactly what I’m doing.  I’m learning!  I’m getting closer to no doubt!  I’m getting prepared for Michael Jordan!

If you apply the same principals against the very best in whatever field or endeavor you’re in or pursuing, you too can gain the no doubt mindset!  You too can have success be your only option!

It may not come right away, but it will come.  Put in the work.  Challenge yourself.

Anything is very possible, but you must take the first step and place yourself in the position for your goals to be met!

me vs. MJ…my journey to play Michael Jordan continues!  As always, thank you for following along and for spreading the word!

1. My favorite basketball player ever is Michael Jordan (surprise? :-D)
2. The goal of my blog (mevsMJ.com) is to get a game of 1-on-1 versus Michael Jordan (in case you didn’t know).
3. The most points I ever saw Jordan score in person was 39.  I saw him play 8-9 times live.
4. When I was a kid I used to pour baby powder on my hands before I played basketball at my house.  It was the closest thing I had to Jordan’s talcum powder.
5. I wear a size 12 or 13 shoe (depends on the maker).
6. I’ve never dunked, but have tried numerous times.
7. I’ve wanted to go to Michael Jordan Senior Flight School since I was in my early 20s.  I can’t believe it was canceled this year.
8. I listen to rap, rock, pop, country, anything really, but my favorite band ever is Third Day.
9. I’ve seen Third Day in concert 12 or 13 times (I’m practically part of the band).
10. I’m the tallest Eller (6’2”).
11. I make rap beats on occasion.
12. I have a younger brother who plays hoops and raps.
13. I’m big into technology and am an avid Mac user/lover (iPod, iPhone, Macbook Pro, iPad 2).
14. I’m extremely competitive.
15. I believe with hard work and dedication that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.
16. I got saved when I was 23.
17. I give God the credit for any and all success in my life.
18. I cry during sad movies and even some Publix commercials.  Can’t control it even if I try.
19. I love motivating people!  YOU (yes, you reading this) CAN BE GREAT!  It’s your destiny!
20. I’ve had more than a few people tell me that I remind them of Joel Osteen (from a motivational standpoint).  I once seriously considered being a counselor.  I also considered being a pastor.
21. I get told a couple of times a year by random people that I look like someone famous.  It’s usually different famous people and I don’t really look like them at all (in my opinion).
22. I believe we were created and equipped to live our dreams.
23. I have two amazing toy poodles named Cooper and Grayson.  They are my boys.
24. I think I will attend Impact Basketball training as a vacation every year even after I play Michael Jordan.  It was that much fun to me!
25. I will soon have a 36×48 of the dopest MJ pic ever on my home office wall.
26. I’ve played basketball at Shaq’s house in Orlando, Florida.  It was the nicest court I had ever played on.  No Shaq wasn’t there.
27. I own a PS3, XBOX 360 w/Kinect, and a Wii, but rarely play any of them anymore.
28. If I do play a video game, it’s either NBA 2K11 (as Jordan) or Call of Duty Black Ops (Ellerman).
29. I love to cook!  Irrrrrooooon Cheffffffff!
30. My favorite cake is my Mom’s Chocolate Cake.  It’s the best I’ve ever had.  It would be the best you’ve had too!  (ask me and I might be able to get you a slice).
31. I enjoy watching boxing.  Anything can happen any second and that’s exciting.  Much like life!
32. I can’t get enough Chips Ahoy Chocolate Chip Cookies and milk.  I’ve tried to stop to no avail.
33. I don’t like working in the yard…at all.
34. Anytime I hear the name Andy, I break into Morgan Freeman’s voice in The Shawshank Redemption and say, “Aaanndddddddy”.
35. I’m on Twitter (@KennyEller)
36. I have a mevsMJ.com Facebook Fan Page (You should LIKE it)
37. I ran two half marathons and almost 600 miles in 2010.
38. The most free throws I’ve made in a row to date is 34 (53 as of 4/6/12).  I’m trying going to make 100 in a row.
39. The tallest person I’ve ever played against is Akeme Smart.  He’s 7’3”.
40. My favorite part of traveling is the FOOD.
41. My brother is one of the most talented and creative people I’ve ever known.  He has no clue how special he is.
42. I love seeing dreams come true!
43. I have few friends, many acquaintances, but the friends I do have I’d do anything for.
44. I’ve never drunk any alcohol or smoked anything.  That’s why I’m so pretty
45. I have scoliosis.  If I didn’t I would have been the white Mike
46. When I was 19 years old, I made a decision to remove everyone who wasn’t “pro me” from my life.  If they didn’t love me and want the best for me, I removed them.  It was one of the best things I’ve ever done.
47. I’ve been in banking for 12 years.  My degree is in radio/tv communications.
48. I used to intern/work in the sports department for the abc affiliate in Orlando, Florida.
49. I used to dream of writing for Sports Illustrated.
50. I’ve spoken to Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Jason Kidd, Shaquille O’Neal, Ahmad Rashad, Corey Maggette, Gerald Wallace, Grant Hill, Anfernee Hardaway, and on and on and on, but never Michael Jordan (though I have been around him on multiple occasions in my early 20s).
51. I fell in love with the game of basketball in middle school.
52. When I was a kid I got to sit in one of the Bigfoot trucks.
53. I’m afraid of heights.
54. The first record I ever bought was a 45 of Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust.”  I was really, really young.
55. I have a secret desire to be able to dance like the late Michael Jackson.
56. I don’t have all that much rhythm or maybe I just haven’t located it yet.
57. I always have the music turned up really loud in my car and yes I sing along.
58. I’m always humming/singing something.  I’m not a great singer.
59. –
60. I text a lot!  My brother calls me the communicator.
61. My favorite kind of food is probably soul food.  My Mom is from the South and cooks like Paula Deen.
62. I like to blend Pepsi and Coke and make the super cola.
63. I really, really like iced tea.
64. I get on kicks.  I once tried some bean dip and then ran to the store and bought 15 jars.  I ended up having to give it away.
65. I could watch cooking shows for hours at a time.  I used to watch Julia Child on PBS when I was a youngster.
66. My favorite flavor of Gatorade is Citrus Cooler (like MJ).
67. I wish I were handier around the house like my Dad.
68. I used to write sports for my community newspaper (+20,000 distribution).
69. I’ve always wanted to make some custom t-shirts.  This will become a reality later this year and they are gonna be SICK and ultra exclusive!
70. I’m Blessed.
71. I’m driven to succeed.
72. My viewpoint on what success is has changed over the years.
73. I don’t try to please everyone.
74. My dream 2-on-2 match-up would be me and my bro versus MJ and Pip!
75. I’m confident, yet humble.
76. I’m a doubt assassin.
77. I’m so thankful.
78. The highest ranked basketball player I’ve played thus far on my journey to get ready for Michael Jordan is #84 ranked Robert Brown. (He was really good)
79. I’m more of a night owl than a morning person.
80. I sponsor a child through World Vision.  His name is Orlando.
81. I truly believe that I will play Michael Jordan 1-on-1.
82. I’ve watched all 10 seasons of American Idol.
83. I wear Jordan shoes and shorts when I play ball.
84. I don’t typically dream at night or at least I don’t remember them.
85. The last dream I do remember having was fairly recently.  Jordan and I were playing hoops!
86. My favorite color is blue.
87. I have more grooming products than any guy I know.  Hey, gotta take care of myself, haha.
88. I’ve been blogging since 2004.
89. I love spending time with and buying things for my little niece Ava (22 months old).  She sings too
90. I believe good things do happen to good people in HIS time.
91. I usually drive the speed limit even though my car has 200 mph on the dash.
92. I believe everything happens for a reason.
93. I’m quick witted.
94. I enjoy writing and telling stories through words.
95. I’m kind of messy, but I do eventually clean up the mess.
96. I’m far from perfect.
97. Patience and I don’t see eye to eye.
98. I’d rather watch Michael Jordan warm-up than watch the NBA Finals.  So much to learn from the great one!
99. I’m 1/8^th Cherokee Indian.
100. I am thankful for each and every one of you reading this!
101. I will give Michael Jordan every drop of what I have WHEN we play basketball!

Injury Update:

I ran my first mile in two months last night!  No pain!  The road to recovery continues!!!  Thanks for following along!

In part one of Secret to Success, I discussed How SCOPE Can Change Your Life.

Hopefully at this point you have expanded or begun to expand your scope, and know what it will take to be successful in your given journey. You’re full of productive energy and now you’re ready to get down on one knee and propose a lifelong commitment to Success.

WARNING!!!

It should be noted, that there will come a point in anything you choose to do, where it will go from being fun to work.

There is the one caveat to that statement, which I will mention in just a bit.

From Fun to Work

From fun to work can happen when you go from just showing up to play basketball in the evenings, to hoisting 3,000 jump shots a week, in addition to playing.

It can happen when you go from running around the block to training for a race.

Fun can turn to a crusty, hear yourself pouting “I don’t wanna do this anymore,” job in just about anything you choose to do when the decision is made to attempt to be successful.

The caveat to this…PASSION!

20 Years of Hoops = A Whole Lotta Passion

I have put more hours into basketball, a lot of them unguided unfortunately, than anything else in my life.

I’ve taught myself to shoot (better than most). To dribble.

I’ve learned how to play defense. To pass.

I’ve learned the rules and dimensions of the sport created by Dr. James Naismith.

I started with no concept of the game and became a better than average player.

I’ve done all of this and it’s never felt like work one day of my life.

The reason is Passion.

Passion Doesn’t Matter?

There will be those that will whisper or even SCREAM in your ear, if you allow them, telling you that passion doesn’t matter.  That it’s more about the structure and the process and that if you implement the structure and do the work, you will be successful.

Guess what, they are right…and wrong.

If a well known bread company sent me the recipe for their bread.  If they detailed the process down to the best climate, water, ingredients, oven, pans, slicers and packaging, then I could produce their exact product.

I would probably do so for myself and even my family and close friends, for awhile.

For awhile, I would most likely package it up, hand deliver it and see smiles sprint across the faces of the recipients of my little bread gift.

Then I would stop.

Why Passion DOES matter!

I would stop making the bread because I’m not passionate about it.  I don’t wake up in the mornings thinking about bread or dream at night about meeting the Pillsbury dough boy.  Bread is great, but TO ME it’s just bread.

Passion matters because at the point where every other thing turns to struggle, when every other thing slows your trek forward and the shawl of doubt chills your fire, PASSION will burn through.

If you begin a journey that is filled with positive passion, that “fun to work” day will never come.

Passion Won’t Make It Easy

Just because you are passionate about something doesn’t mean your journey will now have an easy button.

It doesn’t mean success will introduce itself any quicker.

You still need the structure.  You still need to do the process.

Passion will keep it FUN.

Find the Passion and Let it Burn!

I began me vs. MJ: My Journey to Jordan Camp, because I am passionate about hoops and Michael Jordan.

Something so amazing is happening during this journey, that I never really expected.  It’s having positive results in other parts of my life.

That passion for hoops and MJ has fueled me to become in the best shape of my life.  It has given me energy, clarity, and greater knowledge as I continue to learn daily about myself.  It has gotten me writing again for this blog and connected me with some really cool people I never would I have met otherwise.

By not only identifying the passion, but letting it burn…by using it, I am changing the course of my life.

Have the Baby!

I’ve been told over and over and over again that there is never a perfect time to have a baby, but that a child will change my life for the better.

That’s the kind of conversations a 33 year old guy finds himself in when he’s been married for two and a half years, with no kids:-)

While the reasoning behind why that conversation usually comes up (people don’t know what else to talk about) is less than stellar, the message behind it is transparently clear.

The perfect time doesn’t exist.

The same can be said when it comes to making a move on something you’re passionate about. The perfect time to do so will never knock on your door, grab your hand and lead you away.

At the end of the day…JUST HAVE THE BABY!!

Expand your SCOPE in something that you are PASSIONATE about and JUST HAVE THE BABY!

You’ll be glad you did.

PS:  No Mom, I’m not having a child anytime soon