We lost a basketball legend yesterday, and in all honesty, it stings. As news started circulating early yesterday morning about Kobe Bryant’s passing after a helicopter crash, you could feel the collective hearts of Philippines sink to their stomachs.
For a country that’s as basketball crazy as ours, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that our country loved no other NBA superstar the way we loved one Kobe Bean Bryant.
He’s been beloved by fans from three separate decades, and his drive for success on and off the court has inspired millions all around the world. And as messages of love and support for Kobe floods your timelines and newsfeeds, I thought it was best to share some of the lessons we’ve learned and taken to heart from the Black Mamba.
Passion = Success
Kobe Bryant believed that fully embracing your passion plays a huge part in increasing the chances of being successful at an aspect of your life.
If you’re stuck in a job you dread waking up to every morning, then you should leave it. It’s an incredibly uncomfortable decision that will push you out of your comfort zone and leave you vulnerable.
But the hardest decisions require the strongest of wills, and for Kobe, as long as you’re passionate about what you do, the accolades will eventually follow.
Hard Work Beats Talent
As talented as Kobe was in the game of basketball, he always preached about hard work. According to the five-time NBA Champion, he was athletic but he was never THE most athletic guy on the court when he played. To get better, he became obsessed with hard work.
His unbelievable intense work ethic helped him outwork his potential, and it fundamentally made up for what he lacked. It essentially pushed him to achieve the level of success he enjoyed in both his NBA and post-basketball careers.
“As Hard as You Think You Can Work, You Can Work Harder Than That.”
Be Obsessed with Greatness
Another life lesson Kobe taught me is that you have to strive to be the best version of yourself every day. When you do everything to improve certain aspects of your life, go all in as much as you can. That way, the thought of “could’ve done more/better” won’t be there whether you succeed or fail.
Kobe never felt good about himself if he wasn’t doing everything he could to be his best self. As a person who wants to be as successful as I can be, that resonated with me. You can also relate with this too, as it not only applies to sports but in life as well.
“The reason why I can retire now and be comfortable about it is because I know I’ve done EVERYTHING I could to be the best basketball player I can be.”
Kobe Bryant was more than just a basketball icon. He was also a family man and a storyteller who has touched and inspired many of his fans. So I’m sure that the lessons that you’ve learned from him while watching him through the years will stay with you the same way how these lessons influence the way I live my life.
I don’t mean to sound so repetitive but “Heroes Come and Go, But Legends Never Die.”
Rest in Paradise, Kobe.
