What I Learned from Kobe
I don’t know about you but my heart is still feeling heavy after the helicopter crash a couple of weeks ago that took the life of Kobe Bryant, his sweet daughter Gigi and 7 others in California.
To be honest, my emotions have surprised me. Because I didn’t really know much about Kobe Bryant until just before the accident.
A week before the world said goodbye to Kobe, he and his daughter had made a special appearance in the very small town that I grew up in. With a population of just over 3,000 -- it peaked my curiosity to hear that the 18-time All-Star 6’6 basketball star Kobe Bryant had made a special trip to attend a girls basketball game in Cashmere, Washington. Read more about Kobe’s visit to our hometown here.
And that’s when I really started looking into Kobe Bryant and learning more about his #mambamentality.
Whether you yelled “KOOOOOBE” in front of your tv watching the Lakers back in the day or, like me, you really didn’t even know who Kobe Bryant was, I think most of us can agree that the way he lived his life was inspiring.
Here are three powerful lessons that I’ve learned from Kobe in a very short time...
You Can Riseup From Failure
From a sexual assault case and divorce papers to #MambaMentality.
There’s no doubt that Kobe had a past with some pretty low lows -- namely a sexual assault case in 2003. And while I absolutely don’t think we should gloss over this major allegation (his treatment of women at the time was totally inexcusable), it’s important to note that Kobe admitted that he was wrong, that he should have done better, and that he would do better.
And I think it was apparent in Kobe’s actions after this point in his life that he was, in fact, trying to do better. There seemed to be a shift and transformation that happened for Kobe. And that’s also when the Mamba Mentality was born.
“The Mamba Mentality is a constant quest to find answers. It’s that infinite curiosity to want to be better, to figure things out” – Kobe Bryant
LESSON: You can transform your life and reshape your legacy, by changing your mindset and following it with action.
You Are In Charge Of What You Become
It’s always impressed me to look at top performers’ and athletes’ daily schedules. From 4am workouts to strict diets and exercise regimens they seem to always be “doing.”
And anyone who has followed Kobe for very long knows that his commitment level was straight-up insane. From the basketball court to his life he was ridiculously intentional with his time and energy. He seemed to have such focus and an unrelenting drive to reach his potential.
I watched an interview recently where Kobe talked about having the mindset (and determination) to evolve and find ways to incrementally improve every day. I think this was definitely evident in basketball and beyond for him.
Which leaves me deep in thought thinking about the areas in my own life that deserve more focus, attention, and effort…
“Hard work outweighs talent – every time. Mamba Mentality is about 4am workouts, doing more than the next guy and then trusting in the work you’ve put in when it’s time to perform. Without studying, preparation and practice, you’re leaving the outcome to fate. I don’t do fate.”
LESSON: Know what you want and take persistent action to get it.
You Can Learn From Everyone
I love that Kobe wasn’t too big to be humble.
I mentioned that Kobe and his daughter Gigi had visited my small hometown just prior to the helicopter accident. He was there not only to watch a rising basketball star Hailey Van Lith who had spent time training at the Mamba Sports Academy last Summer. Kobe took a special interest in Hailey not only because of her incredible talent but to learn more about the relationship that she had with her father -- who is also her trainer. Kobe wanted to learn all he could about how Hailey and her dad trained together, as he was building a similar relationship with his daughter Gigi.
LESSON: Don’t be too BIG to learn new things. Seek to grow and learn from those around you.
Looking back on how Kobe lived his life has been an inspiration to me, and his death has been a grand reminder that I can do better, in my own life.
Big, BIG gratitude for that reminder!
So… How are you spending your life? Even more importantly, what are you NOT doing -- what action are you not taking right now to build the life that you want? It’s easy to be complacent and feel like we have so much time on this earth but there’s no guarantee. What are you going to do to make your life matter now?
