If you are anything like myself you probably can’t get your shit together. And if you’re anything like me, you probably need to read Ray Allen’s retirement letter, where the NBL star dishes out life advice that is more motivating then Oprah, and wiser then you’re existential thoughts while you tripped.
And like every media publication, we broke it down into five simple lessons because we know you won’t read the thousand word letter (hey if I wasn’t getting paid too, I know I wouldn’t)…
1. DON’T FIGHT BACK TO THE PEOPLE WHO PUSHED YOU DOWN.
‘A lot of people don’t want to see you succeed. Don’t get into fist fights with these kids. Trust me, it will accomplish nothing.
Instead, remember exactly who said those things.
Remember how they said it.
Remember their faces.
Keep these voices inside your head and use them as fuel every single day when you wake up.’
2. NEVER QUESTION YOUR STYLE
When you get to your public-speaking class and sit down, this girl will turn to you and say, “Hey, why are you so dressed up?”
You’ll say, “Because I can.”
In that moment, it will feel like you have conquered the world.
3. FAILING IS THE PATH TO WINNING
You’ll put up more than 26,000 shots in your career. Almost six out of 10 won’t even go in. I told you this game was a son of a bitch.
Don’t worry, though. A successful man is built of 1,000 failures. Or in your case, 14,000 misses.
You’ll win a championship in Boston.
You’ll win another in Miami.
4. LIFE ISN’T A MOVIE, YOU HAVE TO WORK FUCKING HARD.
In every locker room you’ll ever be in, everybody will say all the right things.
Everybody says they’re willing to sacrifice whatever it takes to win a title. But this game isn’t a movie. It’s not about being the man in the fourth quarter. It’s not about talk. It’s getting in your work every single day, when nobody is watching.
5. DON’T GET ADDICTED TO THE HIGH OF WINNING.
But if I’m being real with you, what you’ll realise after you win the first title is that the thrill is fleeting. The vindication is fleeting. If you only chase that high, you’re going to end up very depressed.
Your winding path to those moments, just like your walk across campus on that quiet fall morning in Connecticut, is where you will find happiness.
