There aren’t many athletes as decorated as Kobe Bryant.
He was a 5-time National Basketball Association (NBA) champion, 18-time NBA All Star, 12-time member of the All Defensive Team, the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player, and two time Olympian with Team USA basketball.
The father of four had natural skill but he’d be the first to admit that was not what led him to become a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer. Instead, his determination to “be better everyday” kept him ahead of his competitors. Being crowned ‘The Greatest of All Time’ required 4 a.m. wake up calls, four practices a day, sacrificing social time, and more.
The mental toughness he developed during his 20-year basketball career – best known as the Mamba Mentality – carried into his other endeavors as well. Bryant went on to win an Oscar and Emmy for his animated short film, ‘Dear Basketball.’ He also founded Granity Studios, a multimedia content company, and coached his daughter’s youth basketball team.
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The January 2020 news of his untimely death shook the world. Nevertheless, his message of determination lives on. Bryant continues to inspire the masses to be motivated, driven, and focused.
In celebration of his legacy, we’re looking back at five times Kobe Bryant educated us on how to win at life.
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According to Bryant, zeroing in on your goal leads to inevitable success. When you know what you want the world will give you the information you need to obtain it. In this interview with Patrick Bet-David he explained, “Everything was done to try and learn to become a better basketball player. Everything. When you have that point of view, the world literally becomes your library to help to become better at your craft.”
2. Employ the Mamba mentality
Bryant’s courtside alter ego, ‘Black Mamba’, led fans around the world to embrace the “Mamba Mentality.” The Lakers great described it as the “ultimate mantra for the competitive spirit.” This state of mind was about embracing the process, thinking incrementally to build upon your skills, and leaving no stone unturned.
3. Disarm fear by facing it head on
You’ve heard it said, “fear kills more dreams than failure.” Bryant echoed the sentiment when he told Jay Shetty how to unpack fear. In short, getting to the root of why you’re fearful helps you deal with it head on. Unpacking fear disarms the “danger” you’re expecting to experience.
4. Importance of collaboration
Bryant was undoubtedly a force by himself but when he partnered with the right person, even greater was produced. We witness that in his marriage and his career on and off the court. In one of his final interviews, he emphasized the importance of collaboration.
5. Taking advantage of a loss
How do you view a loss? Kobe Bryant told Lewis Howes losing is “exciting”. He went on to share that when you lose, certain weaknesses are exposed. Take advantage of the exposure by allowing it to teach you how to improve.
