Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Great Lessons for Life and Work

Are you a fan of Jeremy Lin?  Who? you might say.  And probably rightfully so.

Unless you're a basketball fan.  Jeremy Lin is a pro basketball player for the New York Knicks.  Up until very recently, there was really no reason to know who Jeremy was.  He played his college ball at not-exactly-a-powerhouse-Harvard.  He was not drafted by any NBA team and signed as a free agent last year with Golden State.  Earlier this year, he was being played very sparingly and there were even plans to release him once some players returned from injury.  But now?...

Due to those injuries, Jeremy was pressed into a starting role as the Knicks point guard.  Since then (5 games playing at least 36 minutes each game) he has led the formerly 2-11 Knicks to a 5-0 record.  How has he done it?  Well, having some talent certainly helps, but no one in the NBA (or most colleges) seemed to have noticed. But what he really did was be ready for, and seize, an opportunity when it presented itself.

I thought this 10 item list by Forbes contributor Eric Jackson really put it well and gives us all some lessons about life and work and how to do and be our best.  Here is Eric's list...


  1. Believe in yourself when no one else does.
  2. Seize the opportunity when it comes up.
  3. Your family will always be there for you, so be there for them.
  4. Find the system that works for your style.
  5. Don't overlook talent that might exist around you today on your team.
  6. People will love you for being an original, not trying to be someone else.
  7. Stay humble.
  8. When you make others around you look good, they will love you forever.
  9. Never forget about the importance of luck or fate in life.
  10. Work your butt off.

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