Jeremy Lin is an Asian-American, an NBA star, a devout Christian and a Harvard graduate. Cool? However, his journey to becoming a professional basketball player is never easy. He is one of the few Asian-Americans to make it to the NBA, and it is an identity he can’t escape. He battles discrimination, and proves that the traditional ‘Chinese values’ of hard work can bring success. He has been performing extremely well recently, leading his team to several high-profile victories.
What is Lin’s secret of success? In the sports world where many of the stars seem to be given everything on their way to the top, it is refreshing to see players like Jeremy Lin who has to earn everything on his way to the top. Truly, the instant hit was not at all a quick fix. It is a fruit of hard work and perseverance. He has struggled to perfect his weak points, corrected his bad habits and wrong mentality. He has struck the ghost in him.
The most crucial successful factor is that Jeremy Lin relies on God but not himself. He is a devout Christian and aspires to become a pastor one day. He has never been shy about his faith, and regularly mentions God in interviews and on Facebook. His faith has also helped him keep his humility amid all media attention.
What are the lessons we learn from this new star if we want to copy his lucky streak? We need to overturn that negative thinking whenever we seem to fail in everything. Take setbacks as feedback. Like Jeremy Lin, we should take the outcome of our efforts as something to learn by. Thus, we can start the process and try again but of course not repeating the same mistakes we made.
Jeremy Lin is an inspiration no only to many aspiring players but dreamers who still believe and hope that one day they will achieve their goals in spite of challenges. How did you face the obstacles and negative outcomes of your life in the past? Let them beat you? Say no way and practise ‘Lin’ way.