Why would I...?

Over the past few weeks I’ve been watching the Netflix documentary series The Last Dance, featuring basketball superstar Michael Jordan, and the 6-time NBA Championship winning team from the 1990’s, the Chicago Bulls. Although I wasn’t a Bulls fan when I was growing up (I’m more of a Boston Celtics or L.A. Lakers fan), I was still able to appreciate Jordan’s prowess, and watch in amazement at what he was capable of on the basketball court. His athletic ability was outstanding, his skills were unbelievable, and he was able to deliver the goods when his team really needed it time and time again.

Watching this documentary series gave me further insight into how Jordan was able to become so successful, and how mentally tough, focused, and dedicated he was in becoming one of the greatest basketball players of all time. His tenacity, will to win, and his ability to push himself further and further every time he stepped onto the court was incredible to watch. ⛹️‍♂️

From all of the memorable quotes throughout the entire series, it was this quote that stood out the most to me:

“Why would I think about missing a shot I haven’t taken yet?”

Now replace “shot” with “note”, and “taken” with “played.”

“Why would I think about missing a note I haven’t played yet?”

So often we can get caught up in what we don’t want to happen when practicing and performing. It’s so easy to consider the disasters that are waiting to happen, that all of our weaknesses might be put on public display, or the unlikely chance that your instrument will fall apart in your hands and the performance will end up being an absolute train wreck! 💥🚈

There are so many performers and sportspeople that appear to have an unwavering sense of inevitability when it comes to performing. You get the feeling that you already know what’s going to happen well before the event takes place. I’m thinking of people like Usain Bolt, Muhammad Ali, Roger Federer, and of course Michael Jordan. To me, these people come across not so much as arrogant (although I wouldn’t exactly say that Michael Jordan wasn’t arrogant at times!), but more as having clarity and confidence in knowing what they are capable of. They knew what they needed to do to produce their best, and they had a crystal clear image of what success looked like.

Jordan’s quote makes so much sense and is so simple. Why would you think of something that you DIDN’T want to achieve? Yet we tend to do this every day in the practice room!

So my challenge for you this week is to start thinking about what you want to sound like BEFORE picking up your instrument or clearing your throat to sing. What does your ideal version sound like? Can you picture yourself performing with confidence, precision, fun, and excitement? Can you imagine yourself nailing every entry with energy and conviction?

Flood your mind with images of success, and success will become your new reality!