Derrick Rose: Rise to MVP….The Secret Formula to Success

 

“Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat! Did he really just say that? This guy is insane?!?”… These were the thoughts of many reporters and NBA fans after listening to Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls speak at the first day of Training camp, widely known as media day. Noooo! He didn’t say anything about drinking cognac at halftime (Ron Artest) or dismiss the importance of practice (Allen Iverson). In a very calm and confident manner, D. Rose simply stated how he’d be the leagues MVP this year.

After the reporters’ initial shock at Rose’s comment, they all laughed off the remark in the same way a teacher does when a kid says he wants to be Superman when he grows up. At that time, the remark was considered so unbelievable that it didn’t make many headlines, at first. After all, didn’t he know there were guys like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and even Kevin Durant?…I’m sure he was well aware of that fact, but it wasn’t necessary for anyone else to believe in D. Rose, except for D. Rose himself. In fact, if you look at how the entire year has played out, it is evident why he knew beforehand that he’d be MVP. Derrick Rose followed a formula for success that has been used by the world’s greatest achievers. I have shared this formula with you below, so that you may have your breakout MVP year as well.

Confidence

The most important factor that separates the NBA’s role players from it’s superstars is confidence. At that level, each player has skills in the top .01% of people. Yet, the difference in the level of play between a role player and an All-Star seems ridiculously large. The same is true in all walks of life. Those with confidence perform extraordinarily better than those who are lacking (assuming a similar level of skill). Like D. Rose, if you want to achieve extraordinary success, confidence is key. Here are 3 way confidence is built:

• Take Action – Many people doubt their ability to accomplish a certain goal before even attempting it. If you push yourself to take action and end up succeeding, you have verified that you have the ability to be successful. However, it’s highly unlikely for anyone to succeed in 100% of the things you attempt on the first try. So, let’s look at another method.

• External Compliments – Positive words from friends and family can be a GREAT way to boost confidence. In fact, I suggest surrounding yourself with people who provide encouraging words as you pursue your goals. I don’t mean go and find a “Yes Man.” I mean, find someone who is sincerely interested in you performing at the highest level. While this may be a GREAT method of building confidence, it’s important that you, the individual, is in control of the most critical factor your success. Thus, let’s take move to the most important type of confidence, self-confidence.

• Auto-Suggestion – The subconscious mind controls the majority of your self-perception. It’s shaped by a variety of experiences throughout life that are beyond the scope of this article. Auto-suggestion is highly effective method of proactively building self-confidence. Essentially, the subconscious mind cannot tell the difference between real-life and make believe. This is why dreams feel so real. Therefore, if you continue to repeat positive affirmations (positive self-talk) to yourself such as, “I am the NBA MVP” or “I will be the NBA MVP” your mind will begin to accept it as truth. Your mind will send commands to your body to carry-out actions in the way you perceive an MVP should carry them out (extraordinary work-ethic, leadership, CONFIDENCE). Affirmations should be repeated over and over and over until they become ingrained in your head. This should be done numerous times throughout the day (until you complete your goal). I highly recommend saying these statements aloud for maximum effect.  It provides an even more powerful sensation than merely thinking the words. 

• Derrick Rose Example – In a press conference when asked, “What kind of expectations do you set for yourself individually going into year 3?” Rose replies, “It’s high. The way I look at it. Why can’t I be the MVP of the league”… He had already told himself this so many times that it was a no-brainer for him to state it to a room full of reporters. Clear signs that his subconscious mind was at work.

Plan and Execute

When you have a specific goal in mind, you must set up a plan to achieve it. A plan is important because it allows you to anticipate what you need to do to become successful. It also allows you to evaluate your progress along the way. It holds you accountable to the action steps you need to take to make reach your destination. The first step is to understand what it is that you want to accomplish, the end goal. Then, develop a REALISTIC understanding of where you are in that very moment. Next, you can begin to create the action steps necessary to reach the end goal. It’s a good idea to get advice from someone who has “been there” before to help you develop plan.

• Work When No One Is Looking – It is always said that players get better in the off-season. Teams get better in-season. As an individual, your success will depend on what you do when no one is watching. It’s easy to work hard when you have a coach or boss breathing down your neck, but MVPs are able to push themselves to the max when all heads are turned. This is another factor that separates role-players from superstars. Everyone works hard when people are around, but the extra effort superstars put in behind closed doors is what makes the difference. It requires internal motivation and discipline.

• Derrick Rose Example – In the same press conference Rose states “I work hard, I dedicate myself to the game and sacrifice a lot of things at a young age…This is the hardest I’ve ever worked out this past summer. I’ve put a lot of work in, staying in the gym every day.” Rose called this past summer the hardest working summer of his life. Result: With one game left in the season Rose had made 212 more Free Throws and 112 more 3-pointers than last year.

• Great Surroundings – A lot of progress can be made as an individual. Being accountable for your own actions is the foundation of your success. To get that extra edge, surrounding yourself with GREAT people is imperative. Even those who have achieved the highest level of success have moments where they simply don’t have the motivation to go the extra mile. The allure of sitting back and watching TV or spending a hot and steam night with “Natalia from the club” can sound much better than back breaking workouts or study sessions. By surrounding yourself with a GREAT team of people who are looking out for your success, you are provided with the motivation necessary to push through tough moments when you would rather relax. Look at the people surrounding any ultra successful person and you will see how they’ve risen to GREATNESS. It is said that you can see just how far a person will go in life by looking at the 5 people with whom they spend the majority of their time.

• Derrick Rose Example – This past summer, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook (PG, OKC Thunder), and Kevin Love (F, Timberwolves) spent time working out together, under the guidance of trainer Rob McClanaghan.  Rose says of McClanaghan, “He’s one of the reasons I’m having so much success on my jump shot this year.” The workouts they went through are kept secret, but it is said that they practiced 6 days per week (twice per day). Rose and Westbrook shot no less than 1,000 shots each day (That’s a lot!). It should come as no surprise that both Westbrook and Love also had breakout season performances. 

 

Always Think WIN

• After years of studying GREAT achievers, I have noticed a common mindset. They ALWAYS think win! Have you ever wondered why someone at your same skill level all of a sudden explodes past you and is recognized as a star? We’ve all heard of people talk about waiting for their big break. (Just as a note, waiting for a big break is for losers. Winners CREATE the big break.) When this moment arrives, there is a subtle but immensely powerful difference in thought process that separates A good achiever from an exceptional achiever. In the moment where the big break presents itself, a good achiever may think “What if it doesn’t work out? What would happen if I fail?” The exception achiever, the one who rises to the level of MVP, only focuses on the win, “When I make this shot and we win the game, it’s going to be crazy!”

• Derrick Rose Example – On a couple of occasions this season Rose has put the nail in the coffin for the opposing team. The most notable of such games is probably the game tieing 3-point bucket Rose nailed to tie the game and go into overtime. In overtime, Rose followed up with a slash to the basket for a bucket to win the game. That’s two plays with the game on the line, which proves that the young superstar has no fear of finishing in the clutch.  Clearly, when the game on the line he has nothing on his mind but WINNING! 

 

The official title of MVP has yet to be named.  However, the stand out leader in the race to NBA MVP is evident.  Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Kevin Durant, Chris Bosh and a laundry list of other NBA Superstars have all agreed. Once Derrick Rose is officially crowned ’10-’11 MVP we will all say we new it from the beginning.  However, there is only one person who really knew.  Now that you have the formula for success for becoming an MVP, when will you state your claim for the title? *See below for update*

***UPDATE***

As of May 3rd, 2011, Derrick Rose is officially the 2010-2011 NBA MVP.  In the GREAT history of the NBA, Rose is the youngest player (age 22) to ever receive this award.  Equipped with the secret formula to success and the drive to become GREAT, there is no limit to what he can achieve in the future.  Without a doubt, Derrick Rose is a shining example of what hard-work, dedication, and the secret formula can do as we pursue our own unique vision for futures success.

One of the most humble, honest, and inspirational speeches I’ve heard:

What is your opinion?  Comment Below…