LeBron James is Not Alone
Photo Credit: abardwell via Compfight cc
The story LeBron James seems to be weaving
When LeBron James announced his return to the Cleveland Cavaliers this week, he described it as ‘bigger than basketball.’ And, he’s right.
This is a big deal. But, maybe not in the way that you think.
LeBron didn’t just exercise his power as a basketball legend. No, he exercised his power as a human being… to claim responsibility over his life.
What could it look like if more of us did the same?
Sure, his situation is amplified by the fact that he’s the most impressive basketball athlete alive. He’s also the lead free agent in an extraordinary year of free agency in the National Basketball Association. He’s all over Sports Center. He’s the only thing folks from Ohio have been talking about for a week. Maybe, for the last four years.
But, none of that is the point.
Despite the apparent pressure on his shoulders, LeBron James, the human being, made a hard decision and stood by it. I love how broadcaster and former NBA star Jalen Rose put it. For months, he’s been describing LeBron not as a “businessman” but as a “BUSINESS… (long pause) man!”
But the truth is, we all have a chance to be the business… if only we had the guts.
The truth about free agency (hint: we’re all free agents)
We’re all in the business of creativity. We’re all free agents. In this way, King James isn’t so special.
Except he is. Why? Because he takes dominion over his life. He takes responsibility. He knows his signature strengths as well as his constraints and adapts his life as best he knows how in the moment he’s in.
When was the last time you stood up and owned your birthright?
Believe me, I’m asking myself the same question. This is perhaps indictment and invitation for all of us.
The truth about job security (hint: there isn’t any)
I was in a conversation yesterday morning with a client who was talking about how they were afraid to leave their secure job. He was offended when I laughed out loud.
Isn’t the one truth we all know about our circumstances that they will change? So, why would anyone reasonably expect that the appearance of job security would actually be secure?
There is no job security.
And yet, when living out of scarcity and fear, I’m tempted all the time to trade my life away in the hopes that I can feel secure.
Do you think LeBron feels secure? Well, ya, he probably does. He’s got job security, right?!
Only he doesn’t either. Just like you and me, he’s one car wreck… one injury… one bad decision away from radical circumstantial change.
I think that’s why he makes decisions the way he does (four years ago and now). Because he knows he’s always on the clock. Time is ticking and he genuinely seems all-in for making the most of his life.
The truth about pundits (hint: what they think doesn’t matter)
But what about the critics spending endless hours trying to predict the good and bad of your future, speaking as if they actually know them?
Fortune tellers. That’s all they are… except Jalen Rose – he’s pretty smart.
The point: LeBron ignores the critics. Why shouldn’t you?
The truth about what does matter (hint: it’s the story you’re committed to)
What I love most about LeBron’s decision this time around was how poetic it is. He’s Odysseus. He just wants to come home.
Where do you want to come home to? What have you been wanting to come home to for a while now? Don’t you think it might be time?
Your opportunity (and responsibility) to own your life
Here’s the thing: You and I have one shot at this life on earth. Same with LeBron James. He’s stepped up and made a decision. He’s living it out as a free agent.
How free are you living?
As you assess what’s most important to your life today, just for a second, give yourself permission to dream it bigger… to commit it bigger. Go.
If your life were a story you get to write, how will you weave it?
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