The Mindset Behind Missed Shots: Gretzky’s Most Famous Advice Still Hits Hard

PHOTO BY ALEX P ON PEXELS

Wayne Gretzky’s advice on missed shots still resonates because it shifts focus from failure to opportunity. He famously said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” highlighting the importance of trying.

This mindset encourages anyone to embrace risks and keep pushing forward, even when outcomes aren’t perfect. Understanding this can change how people approach challenges—on ice or off.

You Miss 100%

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” is Wayne Gretzky’s most quoted advice—and for good reason. It reminds us that inaction guarantees missed opportunities, while effort keeps the door to success open.

Trying doesn’t always lead to winning, but not trying guarantees loss. Taking a shot, even when unsure, is often the first step toward growth and progress.

The video below captures this mindset, showing how action creates opportunity:

Taking The Shot Matters

Wayne Gretzky knew that not taking the shot guarantees zero chance of scoring. From early on, he stood out by stepping into challenges most kids his age avoided.

At just 14, he played in a junior league with 20-year-olds, and despite being passed over by two teams in the 1977 draft, he kept pushing forward. As the post below highlights, he consistently proved himself by competing above his age group and delivering standout performances:

Every shot—on the ice or in life—builds momentum, confidence, and future success.

Failing Forward

Gretzky’s line reinforces that failure is part of growth. Every attempt, even a missed one, keeps momentum alive and builds experience.

Rather than fear failure, Gretzky saw each miss as a step closer to success. His mindset paid off on May 29, 1993, when he scored a hat trick to lead the Kings to a Game 7 win, sending them to the Stanley Cup Final. See that moment here:

Failing forward means using setbacks as fuel. Persistence, not perfection, creates lasting impact.