When you think of Michael Jordan, the word “failure” probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But here’s the kicker: Michael Jordan himself is the first to admit that failure is what made him the legend we all know today.

“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career,” he famously said. That’s right—9,000! But instead of letting those misses define him, he used them as fuel to drive his success. And that’s exactly why Michael Jordan’s failure quotes are so powerful. They remind us that even the greatest of all time didn’t always get it right on the first try.

So, whether you’re facing setbacks in your own game or just need a little inspiration to keep pushing forward, these failure quotes from Michael Jordan will have you embracing every miss as a step toward your next big win. Let’s dive in and get motivated!

Michael Jordan Failure Quotes

Here are 60 inspiring quotes from Michael Jordan that will fuel your drive, boost your confidence, and remind you why he’s not just a basketball legend but a mindset icon.

Whether you need motivation for sports, business, or life in general, these words of wisdom from MJ will push you to keep going, even when the odds are stacked against you.

1. Embracing Failure as a Stepping Stone

• “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
• “Failure makes me work even harder.”
• “You must expect great things of yourself before you can do them.”
• “I never looked at the consequences of missing a big shot… When you think about the consequences, you always think of a negative result.”
• “Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.”
• “I’ve always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come.”
• “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.”
• “If you quit once, it becomes a habit. Never quit!”
• “I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.”
• “To learn to succeed, you must first learn to fail.”

2. The Mindset of a Champion

• “Don’t be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try.”
• “Once I made a decision, I never thought about it again.”
• “If you do the work, you get rewarded. There are no shortcuts in life.”
• “Every time I feel tired while I am exercising and training, I close my eyes to see that picture, to see that list with my name. This usually motivates me to work again.”
• “I’ve always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come.”
• “The key to success is failure.”
• “Earn your leadership every day.”
• “There is no ‘I’ in the team, but there is in the win.”
• “Learning’s a gift, even when pain is your teacher.”
• “If you push me towards something that you think is a weakness, then I will turn that perceived weakness into a strength.”

3. Overcoming Doubts & Fear

• “My attitude is that if you push me toward something that you think is a weakness, then I will turn that perceived weakness into a strength.”
• “Failure isn’t fatal, but failure to change might be.”
• “The best comes from the worst situations.”
• “The greatest risk is not taking one.”
• “Heart is what separates the good from the great.”
• “If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don’t have to stop you.”
• “Never say never, because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.”
• “It’s not about the shoes, it’s about what you do in them.”
• “I never feared about my skills because I put in the work.”
• “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.”

4. The Drive to Win

• “Winning isn’t always championships.”
• “There’s only one Michael Jordan.”
• “Champions don’t become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, and months they spend preparing for it.”
• “I never thought a role model should be negative.”
• “If nobody will help you, do it alone.”
• “The game is my life. It demands loyalty and responsibility, and it gives me back fulfillment and peace.”
• “Sometimes, things may not go your way, but the effort should be there every single night.”
• “I play to win, whether during practice or a real game.”
• “I’ve failed many times, but I’ve never stopped believing in myself.”
• “A coach is someone that sees beyond your limits and helps you to become better than you ever thought you could be.”

5. Resilience & Hard Work

• “I’ve always known that if you put in the work, the results will come.”
• “Hard work eliminates fear.”
• “Don’t let them drag you down by rumors. Just go with what you believe in.”
• “You can’t get much done in life if you only work on the days when you feel good.”
• “People ask me if I could fly, I said, ‘yeah… for a little while.’”
• “Winning has a price. Leadership has a price.”
• “I don’t do things half-heartedly. Because I know if I do, then I can expect half-hearted results.”
• “Some people dream of success. Others wake up and work hard at it.”
• “Always turn a negative situation into a positive one.”
• “Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game.”

6. Staying Focused & Motivated

• “I believe greatness is an evolutionary process that changes and evolves era to era.”
• “You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.”
• “My father used to say that it’s never too late to do anything you want to do. And he said you never know what you can accomplish until you try.”
• “Everything I’ve ever done in my life, I’ve taken a risk.”
• “You have to be able to accept failure to get better.”
• “Success isn’t given. It’s earned on the track, on the field, in the gym, with blood, sweat, and the occasional tear.”
• “Work ethics eliminate fear. So, if you put forth the work, what are you fearing?”
• “Even when I’m old and gray, I won’t be able to play it, but I’ll still love the game.”
• “I wasn’t really a work-conscious type of person. I was a player. I loved to play sports.”
• “I’ve never lost a game. I just ran out of time.”

These failure quotes capture Michael Jordan’s relentless drive, his view on failure, and his approach to success.

For more empowering content, connect with our vibrant community here ➡️ Social Media.