I recently watched a postgame interview of Giannis Sina Ugo Antetokounmpo, a Greek-Nigerian professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association, wherein he was asked if the team’s season was a failure since it was knocked out of the NBA playoffs in the first round. The way Giannis responded to the interviewer really struck a chord for me and I was reminded how sporting spirit beautifully translates to the spirit of life.
“It’s not a failure, it’s steps to success”
He said, “Every year you work, you work towards something, towards a goal…It’s not a failure, it’s steps to success…There is no failure in sports. There’s good days, bad days. Somedays you are able to be successful, some days you’re not. Somedays it’s your turn, somedays it’s not your turn. And that’s what sports’ about, you don’t always win…”
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s response stating how there is no failure in sports and how all the times that one is ‘losing’ they’re still taking steps toward winning was truly powerful. What he said is true for our ‘failures in life’ and especially for the setbacks we experience in the journey of creative entrepreneurship.
Celebrate the ‘small’ steps
This video is a reminder to celebrate all the small steps we take daily, moving us closer toward our big vision, with seemingly invisible results.
The internal work you are doing that doesn’t seem to be reflecting externally, the art you’re creating that doesn’t seem to be taking you closer to a strong personal style, the marketing you are investing in that doesn’t seem to be converting social media followers into your collectors, is actually moving you closer to your desired reality.
Take a moment to pause and appreciate yourself for all that you are doing, for all the wins you are experiencing, and for all the things that are happening the way you want to.
All of your perceived ‘failures’ are actually steps to your inevitable success! If you want to hear more about how shifting your perception can shift your mindset, be sure to listen to the free private podcast I created called Mindset Magic for Aligned Action.