874 Leveraging a Competitive Spirit and Becoming an NBA Icon with Jerry West

Nov 11, 2019

In this engaging conversation with Jerry West, basketball legend and former Lakers star, he shares his journey from a challenging childhood to NBA greatness. West discusses how dreams illuminated his path during tough times and emphasizes resilience as a powerful tool for success. He reflects on competition, the emotional complexities of sport, and the invaluable impact of mentorship. With insights into his transition from athlete to executive, West encourages listeners to embrace challenges and cultivate a positive mindset for personal growth.

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ANECDOTE

Childhood Adversity

Jerry West grew up feeling a lack of affection and support, driving him to be self-reliant and dream big.
He found solace in solitary activities like fishing and developed a fierce competitive spirit.

INSIGHT

The Importance of Competition

Jerry West prioritized competition and valued his fans' support.
He believes highly competitive people are often hidden in all walks of life.

ANECDOTE

Low Self-Esteem and Criticism

Despite his athletic success, Jerry West's low self-esteem stemmed from a lack of deep personal connection.
He recalls an incident where a stranger's comment about his team's loss triggered intense anger.

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DREAM TO LIVE. Growing up in a dysfunctional household is tough. It can feel like you are in a nightmare. The only things that can keep you going day-to-day are your hopes and dreams. Jerry West has a fantastic story to tell. He’s been through it all. Just like me and many others, he dealt with significant adversity as a child. He managed to persevere and achieve at the highest levels in spite of every difficulty. Dreams are the light that brightens your way in the darkness. Stop thinking of hardship as a detriment. Look at it as your extraordinary power. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I talk about achieving and making it through difficult circumstances with an NBA icon: Jerry West. Jerry West is an author, executive, and former NBA basketball player. He is a basketball legend who played with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1960 – 1974. While with the Lakers, he won an NBA Championship and was named an All-star fourteen times. The NBA modeled its logo after Jerry West. After retiring as an NBA player, he became an executive and helped bring the ‘Showtime’ brand of basketball to Los Angeles. After leaving the Lakers organization, he worked as a general manager for the Memphis Grizzlies and as an executive for the Golden State Warriors. He currently serves on the executive board for the Los Angeles Clippers. So get ready to learn about achieving through adversity, the power of dreaming, and the importance of loyalty on Episode 874.
Some Questions I Ask:
How did you learn to build belief in yourself? (22:00)
What role did your father play in your childhood? (23:30)
How do you find your niche in life? (34:30)
What was the greatest lesson you’ve learned from your father? (59:00)
How do you build mental toughness? (01:01:00)
What advice do you give to people who don’t know how to dream? (1:09:00)
In This Episode You Will Learn:
How having a competitive spirit can help you achieve your dreams. (15:00)
The importance of loyalty in business. (20:00)
Why you should never give up on the quest to do something significant in your life. (25:00)
About the three kinds of people: Fighters, Floaters, and Fleers. (39:00)
Why everyone should always continue to dream. (01:09:00)
If you enjoyed this episode, check out the video, show notes, and more at http://www.lewishowes.com/874 and follow at instagram.com/lewishowes

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