#175: Paul Shirley - The Process

Paul Shirley is a former professional basketball player who
played for 17 teams in a 9 year career, including stints in the
NBA with teams such as the Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks and the
Chicago Bulls as well as a writer, speaker and author of 4 books.
His work has appeared in places such as Esquire, The
Wall Street Journal, and Playboy. 


After Paul's basketball career, he began writing books. It was in
this time that he made the connection that defines what we do: it
doesn't matter whether it's basketball or writing or
entrepreneurship; accomplishing big goals happens because we
build a process.


His first book, Can I Keep My Jersey?, is a great read with
unique tone and humour and regardless of whether
you like basketball I really recommend it and you can
see why in the chat. His second book, Stories I Tell On
Dates, came out in 2017. The Chicago
Tribune said it "resonates with anyone who favours
introspection and emotional honesty." That book also became
a podcast that is better than most podcasts according
to Paul. His third book (and first novel) is Ball Boy.


And here’s a small description of Paul’s fourth book the Process
is the Product: These are the lesson Paul Shirley has learned: it
doesn’t matter if it’s professional sports, writing, public
speaking, engineering, or acting—there will never be enough
money, fame, or success to justify all the work if you can’t
enjoy the work itself. You have to fall in love with the process.
In The Process Is The Product, Paul shares the stories of
failure and rebirth that have taught him this lesson with one
goal in mind: helping you fall in love with your process so you
can find meaning, finish projects, and accomplish the goals you
set for yourself.


He also runs The Process - a professional hub to help artists,
entrepreneurs, and the like. Their motto is: We help people do
focused work so they can accomplish big goals. 


When you hear the word athlete or ex NBA player you think of the
person in a certain way, i.e. the bright lights, the fame and
unlimited cash flow- however Paul explains that this applies to
only a fraction of the world and how it’s really challenging both
mentally and physically to maintain a career in this field. For
example, we dive into excessive travels, lack of certainty,
confidence, physical and mental health, development, creative
flow, creativity and entrepreneurship, identity, building
process, and how this has all led him to writing.



The video footage of this entire chat is now out as well (one day
after release)! So check them out on YouTube under Michael
Kahan



Check Paul out on:


Twitter: https://twitter.com/paulthenshirley

The Process: https://www.createyourprocess.com/


Website: https://www.paul-shirley.com/home


-------------------------------------------

Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and
Facebook

https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/

https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/

and @Michael_Kahan on Insta & Twitter to keep up to date with
the latest info.

https://www.instagram.com/michael_kahan/

https://twitter.com/Michael_Kahan