Is there a philosophy for success? I think so. In fact, I know so. If you are a true student of success and you obsessively study it like I have, you’d have to be blind not to see all the commonalities that create success in any person or business. There are a million different ways to succeed but when you boil it down, what you are left with is the guiding principles that are ever present.
The fact that you’re here, one of us, means you have already had your eyes opened to the philosophy of success, and you know that it’s not about being a great optometrist – that’s the starting line – it’s about how much and how well you apply yourself at being great at running a business, managing and motivating people, marketing to a very specific type of client, having a vision, setting goals, being resilient and persistent and courageous and strategic and taking action. That is the stuffof greatness. It’s the science of human achievement.
Nike, as a company and a culture are no strangers to human achievement. Ask yourself, how often is “Just Do It” the advice you need to take more than anything else? If you’re like me, it’s so often it’s close to embarrassing. That’s why I surround myself with coaches who push me and help me hold myself accountable and why I devour books and magazines and newsletters that inspire me and remind me of what’s possible. It’s why I make commitments, often big commitments, so there can be no way of easily withdrawing and retreating, so I can get myself to ‘just do it.’ When you really know human nature and what human achievement demands, you can be smarter about setting things up in a way that will get the best out of yourself.
Nike is releasing “No Finish Line” a new book that invites and inspires the next generation of athletes to imagine the infinite possibilities of design and sport.
When we say, ‘There is no finish line,’ it’s not a lazy reference to an unending grind or destination-less journey, but rather an expression of our belief in the limitless potential of sport — and design.”
“No Finish Line” charts Nike’s 50 years of game-changing design and innovation in the service of athletes and sport and projects a vision for the next 50 years.
This sense of promise and evolution propels readers forward as “No Finish Line” defines Nike’s culture of innovation through the lens of the athletes, designers and scientists at its cutting edge; celebrates design not as an outcome, but as an endless journey; and suggests we can shape a better future by simply daring to create it.
Think about all the athletes out there right now dreaming of one-day being the best in the world. They are not put off by the fact that there are so many greats that have come before them and set the bar so high. They are not put off by the high standards and the incredible records – they are inspired and energised by them.
They don’t think “I could never do that”. Instead they think “If I put the work in, and get the right people around me, there’s a chance I could do that or even beat it.” And it all
becomes a journey of inspiration and commitment and doing the very best that you’re capable of.
And we are all capable of so much more than we initially believe. Most people do not run their business and their practice in this way. But for people like you and I who are tirelessly working on doing the best we can do, raising the bar again and again, and enjoying the journey, then life becomes so much richer in every way.