Principles from Kobe Bryant, Legendary NBA Player
The Power of Perseverance: Rest at the End, Not in the Middle
Estimated reading time (4 minutes)
Happy Friday, everyone.
Welcome to Principles Friday, where I share one principle that can help you in your life or business, one thought-provoking question, and one call to action toward that principle.
If you also like to listen to the episode, here is an audio version.
Principle of the Week
“Rest at the end, not in the middle.” by Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant was an American professional basketball player who played for the Los Angeles Lakers for his 20-year National Basketball Association (NBA) career. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, having won five NBA championships, two Olympic gold medals, and numerous individual awards and accolades throughout his career. He tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in January 2020 at the age of 41, leaving behind a legacy as a fierce competitor and a cultural icon.
One of the most inspiring stories of Kobe Bryant's perseverance took place during the 2010 NBA Finals. In a grueling seven-game series, the Los Angeles Lakers were facing off against their long-time rivals, the Boston Celtics.
In Game 5 of the series, Kobe suffered a severe ankle injury that left him in excruciating pain and forced him to leave the game. Many people believed that he would be unable to play in the critical Game 6 and that the Lakers' chances of winning the championship were in jeopardy.
But Kobe was determined to play. He spent the entire night receiving treatment for his ankle, and the next day he arrived at the arena hours before the game to continue his rehab. He wore a special brace on his ankle and received injections of painkillers to help him play through the pain.
Despite the injury, Kobe put on one of the greatest performances of his career in Game 6. He scored 26 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out three assists, leading the Lakers to a crucial victory over the Celtics and forcing a Game 7.
In the series' final game, Kobe continued to battle through his injury, scoring 23 points and grabbing 15 rebounds to help the Lakers win their second consecutive championship. A remarkable display of perseverance and determination cemented Kobe's legacy as one of the greatest competitors in NBA history.
Question to Ponder
In what ways am I resting in the middle of my journey toward success, and how can I adjust my approach to stay focused on achieving my goals until the end?
This question can apply to both personal and professional life. In business, it can help you identify areas where you may be procrastinating, getting distracted, or losing focus on important tasks. It can help you reflect on areas where you may be settling for mediocrity, not pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, or giving up too soon on your dreams and aspirations.
Call to Action
Take a few minutes to reflect on the question above, and identify one specific area where you can adjust your approach to stay focused on your goals until the end. Make a plan to take action and follow through with your commitment, even when it gets tough. Remember that true success often requires sacrifice, hard work, and perseverance, so stay committed and keep pushing forward until you reach the finish line.
Here is a perseverance framework called the Mamba Mentality. This framework draws on principles from both business and sports to empower you to push through challenges and achieve your goals.
Embrace the Grind:
Success rarely happens overnight. Consistent effort, like daily work and skill development, is crucial. Athletes dedicate countless hours to training, pushing their limits physically and mentally.
Obsess Over Improvement:
Always seek ways to learn, improve processes, and adapt your strategies. Athletes constantly analyze their performance and work on weaknesses to become better.
Welcome Adversity:
Setbacks and failures are inevitable. They offer valuable learning opportunities. Athletes face losses, injuries, and tough opponents. These challenges build resilience and strength.
Mental Toughness is Key:
Develop unwavering focus, discipline, and the ability to handle pressure. Athletes need mental fortitude to stay calm under pressure and perform at their best.
Celebrate Milestones, Big and Small:
Acknowledge and reward progress to maintain motivation. Every win, personal record, or accomplishment fuels further drive.
The Mamba Mentality Never Rests:
Stay committed to continuous improvement and never settle for mediocrity. Athletes constantly strive for excellence, year after year.
Video of the Week
Here is a video where Kobe Bryant shares the Power of his Perseverance.
If you want to learn more principles, I interview founders on my podcast, The First 100, where they share how they acquired their first 100 paying customers. This week:
Episode 138 - The First 100 with Bartosz Skwarczek, the Founder of G2A
Episode 139 - The First 100 with Aron D'Souza, the co-founder of Enhanced Games
And that’s a wrap for now!
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