Growing up, we have been told to follow our dreams, shoot for the stars, the sky’s the limit, etc. We are always encouraged by people around us, especially our parents and friends. As a person, we strive to do our best with great determination to make things happen. One of the famous inspirational quotes by Michael Jordan says “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen”.

The quote implies that some people want and wish for things. Then some try to do something to make it happen. You can achieve something in your life if you are passionate about it. If the past is anchoring you, then you must let it go because keeping regrets and disappointments will not help you to make things happen. If you want to make something happen, then start working for it and earn it.

Who Was Michael Jordan?

Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born on February 17, 1963 in Brooklyn, New York City. He is an American former professional basketball player and businessman. As a part of Chicago Bulls, Jordan played fifteen seasons in the NBA out of which his team won six NBA Championships. NBA gained fame during the 1980s and 1990s because of Michael Jordan. However, Jordan now owns 23XI Racing in the NASCAR CUP Series and Charlotte Hornets in the NBA. 

Michael Jordan became a global player and cultural icon during his career in the NBA Championship. According to the biography on the NBA’s official website, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time. Jordan is known to endorse his products. This fueled the success of Nike’s Air Jordan shoes which were introduced in 1984 and are still popular.

Jordan retired from basketball before the 1993-94 NBA Seasons to play in Minor League Baseball. However, he returned to the Bulls in March 1995 where he led them to three more championships in 1996, 1997, and 1998. He retired for the second time in January 1999 but returned for two more NBA seasons as a member of the Washington Wizards from 2001 to 2003.

Jordan also starred himself in the 1996 Space Jam, a live-action animation hybrid film, and The Last Dance (2020) with a focus on Emmy-winning documentary miniseries. He became co-owner and head of the basketball operations for the Charlotte Bobcats now known as Charlotte Hornets. However, he bought the majority stake in 2010.

In 2016, Jordan became the first billionaire player in the history of the NBA. His net worth is estimated at $2.1 billion (2022).

Origin of the Quote

The source of the quote comes from an interview of Marvin R. Shanken with Michael Jordan when Shanken asked Jordan about his greatest regrets. In response, Michael Jordan says that he does not have any kind of regrets in his life. Jordan concluded this question that when you come up with something in your history, you feel like you want to change it or it has to be changed. In this interview, you can hear Michael Jordan’s reply at 5 minutes 27 seconds.

Another origin of the quote can be found in The Last Dance released in 2020. It is an American sports documentary miniseries co-produced by Netflix and ESPN Films. The series revolves around the career of Michael Jordan focusing mainly on the 1997-98 season, his final season in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls. In this miniseries, you will find exclusive footage from a film crew along with interviews of Michael Jordan and other NBA personalities. 

Meaning Of This Quote

This quote by Michael Jordan focuses on the aspect of living life without disappointments and regrets. However, a few of the important themes can be inferred from this quote as follows:

Be An Action Taker

In our life, we come across people who are well aware of their goals and they have a road map to achieve their goals. However, few people do have a goal but they are vague because they don’t have a road map. As the quote suggests, some people want it to happen but some wish it would happen. You never get something you wish for on a silver platter. However, we all have to try to get what we wish for.

Most people in the world get an education and jobs to make a living but some have business plans for their future. In this case, there are two types of people who are ready to take risks and start their business. The other type of people wants to have financial freedom by starting their business but they are not ready to make efforts for it. As Lao Tzu suggests by saying “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”.

We might have friends or colleagues who have been successful in their fields because they are action takers. Such people tend to work extremely hard to achieve their goals. Moreover, it makes them passionate.

Be Passionate

Being passionate means, you do what you have to achieve your goals. It is one of the best qualities one can have to be successful in their life like Michael Jordan. He was passionate about basketball since high school and he made things happen. The passion keeps you going through hurdles even when everything around you feels like going against you.

At a certain point, you might feel like giving up but if you are passionate about your goals, then there is nothing on earth that can stop you. As Virgil suggests through his quote “Fortune favors the bold”. It means that if you are passionate about your goals and you are an action taker, you can stand against oppression.

This quote by Michael Jordan gives an indirect message that if you have a passion, you should work hard on it and make it happen rather than wishing for it. As there is a saying by Wanda Sykes “If you feel like there’s something out there that you’re supposed to be doing, if you have a passion for it, then stop wishing and just do it”.

Keep No Regrets or Disappointments

This quote from Michael Jordan comes from the question of regrets and disappointments in his life. The indirect message that comes from this quote from Michael Jordan is that you should not be having regrets and disappointments in life. The happenings in our lives make us different people. Moreover, living a life with no regrets does not mean that you should never make a mistake but learn from them.

We might be having people around us who are keeping their unhealthy relationships and unfulfilling jobs because they are not ready to take risks. They pass the opportunities out of uncertainty and fear. However, your life is in your hands and you are responsible for all your actions. If you are not trying to make changes, you cannot blame yourself or others for it.

Michael Jordan suggests through this quote that what’s gone is gone, there is no reason to be stuck with the past. However, he always prepared himself for the future, and he earned a global status, privileges, and benefits.

As there is a saying by Lyndon B. Johnson “Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose”. So, if you want to make your life meaningful, have no regrets in your life, learn from your mistakes and use disappointments to make yourself happy.

Michael Jordan – The Greatest Basketball Player Of All Time

Michael Jordan also known by his initials MJ is an American former professional basketball player and businessman. He has been the greatest basketball player of all time and won NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. Also, he has been known for his product endorsements especially Air Jordan Sneakers by Nike. He appeared in a miniseries documentary based on his life, The Last Dance (2020), and the live-action animation hybrid movie Space Jam. 

The quote “Some People Want It To Happen, Some Wish It Would Happen, Others Make It Happen” By Michael Jordan explains that he never had regrets or disappointments in his life. It motivates us that if we want to make something happen like achieving a goal, then we should take a step towards it. Some people only wish to achieve something in their lives. However, those who want to achieve their goals should push themselves to make it happen.