workplace application

When it comes to teamwork, dedication, or even defeat, the world of sports is full of valuable lessons you can apply to your job search and career path. To help you learn from sports history, Movin’ On Up is bringing you lessons from the sports world to help up your professional game and gain real-life applications for the workplace.

Muhammad Ali’s Lesson on Effort
American boxer Muhammad Ali is widely considered one of the most significant sports figures of the 20th century. The late heavyweight champion shared more than just the athletic spotlight. He also gained fame for his activism and inspiring persona. Muhammad Ali once said:
“I would have been the world’s greatest at whatever I did. If I were a garbage man, I’d be the world’s greatest garbage man! I’d pick up more garbage and faster than anyone has ever seen. To tell you the truth, I would have been the greatest at whatever I’d done!”

When it comes to your profession, it’s important to give it your all. If you want to be the best and advance your career, you must put 100% of your energy and dedication into your work. Take a moment to consider how much effort you’re making to reach your goals every day. Are you investing all of yourself into your job search? Are you aiming to be the best employee in your workplace?

If you haven’t set your sights on being the best at what you do, there’s no better time to start than right now.

Muhammad Ali’s Lesson on Vision
The famous boxer also said, “Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them—a desire, a dream, a vision.”

Why do you go to work every day? What drives you to find the perfect job? What is your dream? Your goal? Your ultimate career path? Stop for a moment and ask yourself what motivates you to succeed. If you don’t know why you do what you do, you likely won’t have the inspiration to reach your goals. You must have a vision in mind if you want to succeed, so take a moment and solidify what that vision is for you.

What’s your dream, and how do you plan to be the best? Share with us in the comments section below!

Keep an eye out for more Lessons from the Sports World, a series brought to you by Movin’ On Up. A new article will be posted each Friday through Aug. 19.

Much can be learned from the world of sports, whether you think about teamwork, dedication, or even defeat. Over the next few weeks, Movin’ On Up will bring you lessons from the sports world to help you up your professional game and gain real-life applications for the workplace.

The Famous Michael Jordan “Flu Game”
In Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz, Michael Jordan delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 38 points. The more phenomenal part of this story is that he accomplished this while exhibiting flu-like symptoms. Those in attendance claim Jordan struggled to even sit upright during breaks, was sweating profusely, and physically leaned on Scottie Pippen late in the game.

Though the Bulls ended up winning, it wasn’t an easy contest. The teams battled back and forth exchanging the lead several times. Jordan left every ounce of energy he had on the court and heavily aided the team in coming out victorious during an important NBA Finals game.

Workplace application
There are many lessons you can take from Jordan’s “flu game.” Perhaps the most striking is perseverance. Regardless of how sick he was, Jordan knew he was an integral part of his team and played a pivotal role in the Finals that year. He put aside whatever ailment he had and persevered through the pain and the exhaustion to be there for his team.

Whether in your job search or in the workplace, there will be days when you don’t feel up to the challenge, when things seem too daunting. When those days come around, it will be important to muster the energy to keep going and keep focusing on the bigger picture. Whether that’s a team project or another interview, you must finish strong, even if you don’t feel like it.

How do you rise to the challenge in the workplace and your professional life? Share with us in the comments section below!
Keep an eye out for more Lessons from the Sports World, a series brought to you by Movin’ On Up. A new article will be posted each Friday through Aug. 19.

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