Michael Jordan changed the game for a lot of athletes. Immediately after winning his first championship, he went right back in the gym to work on his game. If the greatest player to ever lace them up worked that hard, what are the rest of the players going to expect?
Work ethic typically comes from within, but it’s never too late to learn. For me, the drive to become successful is also based on my will to win. If I want to win championships, I have to become better – yearly. Even after winning my first championship in the WNBA, I knew that more players and teams would be working harder to stop us from winning another one. I hired a personal trainer to get even better. I worked extra before and after practices, as well as before and after games.
For many, it’s not about just beating your opponent, it’s about being the best you can possibly be. That equates to every walk of life. If you’re a student, it’s about studying until you know everything, not just knowing enough to pass a test. If you’re at your job, it’s about putting in long hours and taking ownership in your work, not about proving something to your boss or co-worker. It’s your internal drive that you should be focused on. That’s what helps me get better every year. On those days when you think you’ve done enough, this chapter will help you push through and accomplish more.
