The term “Basketball is life” is a common statement expressed by players to show their love and dedication to the sport. The analogy of basketball to life isn’t just applicable to those who play the sport, but even to those who only know a thing or two about it. It’s not the moves and skills that makes the sport comparable to life, but rather it’s the values and attitudes learned through the sport that makes basketball a mere reflection of life itself. Here are 5 concepts learned from basketball that are applicable to life.
1. TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK
Basketball is a team sport, where everyone is given their own respective roles and responsibilities. The common statement “There is no I in team,” is definitely a fundamental truth in basketball. You’ll need the help of your teammates, just as how they too need your help.
Just like in life, you’ll never succeed by your own power and ability. We’re social beings that ask and offer help from one another. Life is a team game and the only way to grow and succeed is through the help of others.
2. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
In basketball, practice is just as important as playing the game itself. No one is instantly the best at something on their first try. Jordan, Kobe, and the likes hit the gym for thousands of hours, where they pour their hearts out. Nobody likes to practice because it’s exhausting and unexciting, however, it’s the only way to get better. You’ve got to practice your craft until you become unstoppable.
Just like in life, if you want to succeed at something, you must first accept that you’re bad at it. You must acknowledge the fact that you must be a student first before being a master of your craft. It’s a process where you must continuously keep on learning until you are the best at what you do.
3. HARDWORK OVER TALENT
Getting your shooting going and scoring the most points isn’t something a player can do on a nightly basis. There will always be bad games and off days, however, hard work never takes any day off. Talent is useless and ineffective without hardwork. Hard work shows that you’re giving your all at everything that you do. It proves that you don’t give up at anything and it shows your passion to win.
Just like in life, where you must always work hard in everything you do. It doesn’t matter if you’re not the most talented or the most skilled, because you can always outwork your competition. Hard work reveals the difference between the rabbit and turtle. Not everyone is skilled at something or have their own natural advantages, but a hard worker can always work their hardest even after they meet their goal.
4. BE YOUR OWN MAKER AND STORYTELLER
Basketball doesn’t focus on the games you’ve lost or the shots you’ve missed. It easily forgets and gives importance to how well you were able to grow and learn from those mistakes. You may constantly be losing games due to bad shooting or just a bad day overall for the whole team, however, it’s what you do after those games that really matter.
Just like in life, where one mistake doesn’t mean life’s let you down. You learn from your mistakes and you grow because the only way to be the best that you can be is through the number of mistakes you’ve made. Don’t dwell on the past and the trials you’ve gone through, as you must rise above these circumstances and soar. Your past does not dictate who you are or who you will be in the future. We are the makers and storytellers of our own lives.
5. YOU MISS 100% OF THE SHOTS YOU DON’T TAKE
Always take advantage of every shot given to you. Don’t pass up a good looking shot due to anxiety and fear that it wouldn’t shoot because the only way to know if it’ll go in is if you’d attempt a shot. A shot not taken is surely a point not made.
Just like in life, where if you’re given a chance to to audition or apply for a job, you’ve got to take it. It doesn’t matter if you think you’ll get in or not, because surely not applying gives you 0% chance of getting in. Never hesitate in taking a shot at everything because every opportunity given only means more chances to learn. Always just keep trying and making the most out of what’s given.
Basketball may not be life in the literal sense, however it is a mere reflection of it. We are able to learn and grow from the values and attitudes learned from the sport. Basketball proves that it’s more than just a sport, but rather an avenue that helps shape and mold our character.