Life Lessons from Jason - Jeff Keller

Life Lessons from Jason

You might have seen the amazing story that was shown on many television stations about Jason McElwain, the autistic teenager who performed miraculously when he got the chance to play in a high school basketball game. For those who are not familiar with this story, here is what happened.

Jason is a 17-year student at Greece Athena High School in New York. He is autistic and has served as manager of the school's basketball team. During the team's games, Jason sits on the bench, wearing a white shirt and black tie.

Jim Johnson, the coach of the team, invited Jason to suit up in uniform for the team's final game of the season. He told Jason that he would try to put him into the game if Greece Athena was ahead by a sufficient number of points.

Well, Jason got into the game with four minutes left. After missing his first two shots, he hit six out of 10 three- point shots (shots taken from more than 20 feet) and scored 20 points.

In the end, he was the game's leading scorer, although he played only four minutes! The crowd went wild and stormed onto the court to congratulate Jason and to celebrate his astonishing performance.

To be sure, Jason's story is inspirational and heart- warming. What's more, I think there are important lessons that we can all learn from this young man.

* Jason demonstrated the power of attitude and enthusiasm.
When Jason was asked about his job responsibilities as team manager, he explained that among other things, he sets the clock, keeps statistics and hands out water bottles and equipment. He also said that his job is "to be enthusiastic"
and encourage the players.

Isn't it interesting that he includes "to be enthusiastic"
as part of his job description? Because Jason is so enthusiastic and supportive, the coach loves him. The players love him. Even the fans that night were shouting his name and rooting for him to get into the game.

The lesson here is that when you're energetic and positive, people want to be around you. They want to help you. If Jason had performed his responsibilities in a dull, listless manner, I don't think there's a chance that the coach would have considered letting him play in a game.

Jason had given so much to the team that the coach wanted to reciprocate in some fashion. Perhaps, if we all add "to be enthusiastic" to our job descriptions, we'd have a lot more success at work and at home - and we'd gain a lot more cooperation from others.

* Jason wasn't afraid to fail.
Jason's first shot missed badly. He didn't even hit the rim. He also missed his second shot. Yet, he wasn't discouraged. Jason was going to keep on shooting. He then scored 20 points in a little more than three minutes!

How many of us take a shot or two in life (for example, on a sales call or in a personal relationship), get a poor result and then quit? Had Jason done that, he wouldn't have accomplished his incredible feat. As with any endeavor, it often takes a little time before we get "in a groove" and things go our way. We have to be willing to endure the "misses" until we get on track.

* Jason was willing to serve.
Jason's first choice was not to be the team manager. He wanted to play basketball for the junior varsity team. He tried out but wasn't good enough.

Instead of sulking and giving up on basketball, he willingly took the job as team manager of the varsity squad. He loves basketball and this was his opportunity to be around the game.

So often, we don't reach our initial goal and we let our ego get in the way. We don't want to accept a "lesser role" or play "second fiddle," even temporarily.

* Do what you love.
Jason shows us that great opportunities often appear when you engage in activities that you're passionate about. Here's a guy who absolutely loves basketball. You can see it on his face when he's out on the court helping the other players or shooting around by himself.

When you do what you love, you may make a lot of money; but then again, you may not. However, you will be happier and attract more positive experiences into your life - and perhaps even create a "miracle" as Jason has done.

* Jason was prepared to seize the moment.
Let's not forget that Jason practiced his shooting all the time. Although he didn't have game experience, he shot around in the gym on a regular basis. He knew he could make long shots, and when given the chance in a game, he made the majority of his shots.

Let's turn to your dream. Are you ready for your opportunity? Have you done the practice, the research and whatever else is necessary for you to be ready to seize your moment? The time to prepare is now. If you wait until the opportunity arrives, it's too late.

* Jason helped us to expand what we thought was possible.
If someone had told you that an autistic teenager serving as a high school basketball team manager was put into an actual game, hit six out of 10 three point shots, and scored 20 points in just over three minutes, you'd say that could only happen in a movie. Yet this was real life.

Not only that, but the President of the United States visited Jason at an airport near his home. Jason was interviewed on CBS-TV during the Final Four round of the NCAA basketball tournament. In addition, a documentary of his story was shown to millions of people around the world.
Former basketball legend Magic Johnson came to the school gym to meet Jason and announce that a deal has been made to acquire the movie rights to Jason's story.

Jason has achieved what many would say was "impossible," and yet we know deep down that we, too, have the ability to create magic in our own lives if we'll expand our view of what is possible.

Congratulations, Jason on your magnificent accomplishments - and for giving us a formula for successful living.

-- Jeff Keller
(c) Attitude is Everything, Inc.