What if the secret to becoming the best at what you do isn't about grinding harder or sacrificing more, but simply about loving it deeply? Basketball icon Michael Jordan recently shared an uplifting insight that reveals exactly that.

In a heartwarming interview with NBC's Mike Tirico, Jordan opened up about a special clause he insisted on having in his Chicago Bulls contract—something he believes is missing from today's professional sports contracts. He called it his "love of the game" clause, and it's as refreshing as it is inspiring.

"If I was driving with you down the street, and I see a basketball game on the side of the road, I can go play in that basketball game," Jordan explained with evident passion. "And if I get hurt, my contract is still guaranteed."

Think about that for a moment. Here was one of the most valuable athletes in the world, insisting on the freedom to play pickup basketball with strangers simply because he loved the game that much. Most professional contracts specifically prohibit such activities due to injury risks, but Jordan saw it differently. His love for basketball transcended the business side of the sport.

Jordan went on to share how this genuine passion made all the difference in his legendary career. It wasn't just about structured practice sessions or drilling techniques. It was about playing real games, feeling the joy of competition, and keeping that childlike enthusiasm alive. This approach helped him and other greats like Larry Bird truly master their craft in a way that purely mechanical practice never could.

"I love the game so much. I would never let someone take the opportunity for me to play the game away from me," Jordan said, capturing the essence of what makes someone not just good, but genuinely great at what they do.

This wonderful revelation offers an encouraging lesson for all of us, regardless of our field. When we pursue work we're genuinely passionate about, it stops feeling like work. The hours we invest don't drain us—they energize us. We seek out opportunities to engage with our craft not because we have to, but because we genuinely want to.

Jordan's story reminds us that extraordinary success isn't built on obligation or mere ambition alone. It's built on love, enthusiasm, and an unshakeable desire to engage with what brings us joy. When you love what you do so much that you'd do it for free, that you'd seek it out in your spare time, that's when magic happens.

The most encouraging part? This secret is available to everyone. You don't need special talent or lucky breaks to love what you do. You simply need to find—or create—work that resonates with your authentic self.

Michael Jordan's "love of the game" clause is more than a contract provision. It's a beautiful philosophy for life: Find what you love, protect your right to pursue it, and success will follow naturally.