Stop Chasing, Start Building
“If you chase it, sometimes you never get it…”
“If it was something I was chasing, I would’ve never gotten it.
If you chase something, sometimes you never get it.
But if you put in the work and the attitude… next thing you know, it’s bestowed upon you.”
– Michael Jordan
A lot of players get caught chasing:
• More playing time
• Better stats
• Bigger recognition
• The “next level” badge
• The dream: pro, college, top team
And then they wonder why it feels like they’re falling short, even when they’re “working hard.”
But MJ’s message cuts deeper than most people realize.
What he’s really saying
Success doesn’t come because you chased it.
It comes because you became someone who’s ready for it.
When you’re chasing status without building substance, you create pressure, anxiety, and frustration:
• You start overthinking every mistake.
• You get tight when minutes don’t come.
• You doubt your work when results don’t show up fast enough.
The shift is this
Stop asking, “Why am I not getting what I want?”
Start asking, “Am I building a version of myself that makes it undeniable?”
What to actually chase
• Chase habits that no one sees.
• Chase accountability, even when it’s uncomfortable.
• Chase composure in tough moments.
• Chase the standard you say you want, not just when it’s convenient.
MJ’s point in one line
“Put in the work and the attitude…
and next thing you know, it’s bestowed upon you.”
He’s not talking about luck.
He’s talking about alignment, when your mindset, habits, and preparation line up so well… the outcome becomes a byproduct, not a wish.
Offseason Talk
This time of year, I hear it from players all the time:
“I want more next season.”
“I feel like I didn’t get my shot.”
“I’m coming back better.”
But then…
The season ends, and so does the work.
I don’t see you in the gym.
I don’t see you at the sessions.
I hear the talk… but I don’t see the commitment.
And listen, this isn’t about training with me.
This is bigger than that.
ask yourself
Can I look in the mirror and honestly say:
“I’m training every day. I have a program. I’m consistent. I’m going game speed. I’m locked in.”
If the answer is no… that’s the real issue.
If you say you want:
• More minutes
• A bigger role
• A shot at the next level
…then your offseason has to reflect that.
Because come next season:
• The ones who really trained will separate.
• The ones who disappeared will feel it.
And that’s not politics, that’s preparation.
Final Message
You don’t get better by default in the offseason.
You get better by decision.
If you’re frustrated, this is your window.
Don’t try to prove people wrong next season, start doing it now.
Let MJ’s words guide you:
Don’t chase it.
Build it.
