Sometimes, inspiration comes from the winding road of setbacks and comebacks, not from the “smooth path.” In the sports world, few stories are better examples of this than the legendary return of Michael Jordan to the Bulls.
At season’s end in 1993, at the height of his career and after clinching the third consecutive world championship for his Chicago Bulls, Jordan retired from the game. Jordan was widely regarded as the best player in the game and in the discussion for the best player of all time.
However, Jordan’s father was tragically murdered early in that offseason, and this loss of his biggest hero helped Jordan to make the decision to step away from the hardwood. Instead, he sought solace and challenge in professional baseball, his father’s favorite sport.
For 17 months, there were questions. Would we ever see His Airness playing basketball again? Amid a lockout in Major League Baseball, Jordan decided not to use the labor crisis to artificially hasten his timeline to garner a White Sox roster spot.
It was the days prior to widespread email usage, so Jordan took advantage of the Bulls fax machine. It printed off a sheet that said only:
With that, Jordan returned to the NBA, not just to play, but to dominate. While the Bulls were eliminated from the 1995 playoffs, the next three seasons, they won the world championship and it cemented Jordan’s legacy as the best ever.
Why does this matter to you or me?
Well, Jordan’s story is not just about athleticism. It is about resilience, reinvention, and the courage to return after a setback. We all face such moments. Life throws us off course when we question our path, lose some confidence, or have the weight of change bearing down on us.
It is not whether we will encounter setbacks, but the challenge is how we respond when we do.
The lessons from the Jordan story:
Embrace the pause. Sometimes, stepping away does not show weakness, but wisdom. When he stepped away, Jordan had time to heal, reflect, and return with a renewed purpose.
Announce your comeback. We don’t need a global press conference or the most famous fax in history to get moving again. You can announce “I’m back” with something as simple as a commitment to yourself where you decide to re-engage with your imagined future, your vision, and your passions.
Leverage your experience. Jordan didn’t return as the same player he left as. He came back with a new perspective, new skills, and a renewed determination to play championship-level basketball. Every detour in your journey will eventually add depth to your comeback story.
Your comeback starts now. I believe everyone has an “I’m back” moment within them. Your story is far from over.
The most inspiring comebacks are not reserved for sports legends. They belong to anyone willing to step back into the arena, learn from the past, and move forward with intention.
If you want to tell me, “I’m back,” and aren’t sure where exactly it is you’re going, let’s get on a call.
As always,
Brian
