“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” — Michael Jordan
Let that quote sink in for a second.
Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest basketball player of all time, didn’t just make history by being on the court. He made history by taking the shot—over and over again.
But here’s the thing: He missed a lot, too.
Thousands of times.
Yet, we remember the championships, the buzzer-beaters, the legacy. Why?
Because he took the shot. Even when the odds were stacked. Even when he was tired. Even when failure seemed just around the corner.
Now let’s bring this back to your life.
The Shot You Never Take Is the Dream You’ll Never Live
So many people go through life with dreams unspoken and goals untouched. They tell themselves, “Someday.”
Someday I’ll start that business.
Someday I’ll write that book.
Someday I’ll ask for that raise.
Someday I’ll move to that city.
Someday I’ll say how I really feel.
But here’s the brutal truth: Someday isn’t a day of the week.
If you keep waiting for perfect timing, perfect confidence, perfect clarity—you’ll never take the shot. Life will pass you by while you’re still standing on the sidelines, holding the ball, wondering what if.
Fear Is a Liar in a Loud Costume
What keeps most people from taking their shot?
Fear.
Fear of rejection. Fear of failure. Fear of being judged. Fear of looking stupid. Fear of success (yes, even that).
But let’s talk facts.
Fear isn’t a psychic. It can’t predict your future. It only thrives in inaction.
The moment you take action—any action—you shrink fear’s power over you. When you move forward, fear starts losing its grip. Because the truth is, fear often vanishes once you take that first step.
Don’t let a moment of doubt rob you of a lifetime of reward.
Every Shot Counts—Even the Misses
You know what’s better than playing it safe?
Trying and failing.
Why? Because failure teaches you more than success ever could.
Every miss sharpens your aim. Every rejection builds resilience. Every setback teaches you what doesn’t work—so you can move closer to what does.
Michael Jordan once said:
“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot… and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
Read that again.
Failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s part of the journey toward it.
The World Doesn’t Reward Potential—It Rewards Action
You could be the most talented person in the room. The smartest. The most creative. The most visionary.
But if you don’t act, you lose.
Potential is worthless if it isn’t followed by execution.
The world doesn’t give trophies for the best ideas. It rewards the people who do something with those ideas.
You don’t need to be the best. You just need to be brave enough to begin.
Take the shot.
You Already Have Everything You Need
Don’t fall for the myth that you need to be “ready” before you act.
You don’t need a perfect plan. You don’t need a fancy degree. You don’t need everyone’s approval. You don’t need the stars to align.
What you do need is belief—in yourself, in your vision, in your purpose.
Courage is a muscle. You grow it by using it.
You don’t have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step. Then the next. And the next.
Eventually, you’ll look back and realize you climbed higher than you ever thought possible.
Your Shot Could Change Someone’s Life—Including Your Own
When you take your shot, you don’t just change your own life. You inspire others to do the same.
Your courage creates a ripple effect.
Someone is waiting for your book.
Someone is praying for your product.
Someone needs your song, your message, your invention, your story.
But they’ll never receive it if you never deliver it.
You were given your dreams for a reason. Not to lock them in a vault—but to bring them to life.
Regret Hurts More Than Rejection
Ask anyone in their later years what they regret, and you’ll hear the same thing over and over.
They don’t regret the things they did.
They regret the things they didn’t do.
The risk they didn’t take.
The words they didn’t say.
The love they didn’t pursue.
The chances they let pass them by.
Don’t be that person.
Don’t let “what if” haunt you in the quiet moments. Let “I tried” and “I dared” and “I lived” be your legacy.
What’s One Shot You Can Take Today?
Let’s get practical.
What’s one shot you can take today? Not next week. Not when you “feel” ready.
Today.
- Send the email.
- Make the call.
- Write the first page.
- Record the video.
- Apply for the job.
- Say “yes.”
- Say “no.”
You don’t need to change your entire life in one day. You just need to move.
Momentum is your secret weapon. Once you get going, it gets easier to keep going.
And before long, you’re not just shooting your shot… you’re scoring.
Final Thoughts: Winners Take the Shot
Michael Jordan didn’t become great by sitting on the bench.
He became great because he kept showing up. Kept shooting. Kept trusting his ability to grow, to adapt, to rise.
You have that same power inside you.
Life isn’t about guarantees. It’s about possibilities. And the only way to discover what’s possible… is to take the shot.
So whatever your dream is—start.
Take the shot.
Even if your hands shake.
Even if your voice trembles.
Even if you miss the first time.
Because you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
And you never know…
The shot you take today might just be the one that changes everything.
