Three Success Principles We Can Learn From Kobe Bryant
/On January 30, I had the honor of being the keynote speaker at the 2020 President installation luncheon for the Women’s Council Association of Real Property Brokers. Over 150 people were in attendance!
ARPB is the local Oakland chapter of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB). NAREB was founded in Tampa, Florida, in 1947 as an equal opportunity and civil rights advocacy organization for African American real estate professionals, consumers, and communities in America. It was an incredible experience to be in the midst of movers and shakers within the Oakland community.
My keynote came a few short days after the devastating helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gigi and seven others. The death of Kobe Bryant shook my soul to the core and the level of grief that arose within me was unlike anything I had felt before. Like many people, I did not personally know Kobe but he was a part of my upbringing. I grew up watch Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday night basketball on TNT and loved the NBA. Although Kobe was the villain, I begrudgingly had a lot of respect for me. As an adult, my admiration of his work ethic, focus, discipline and commitment to excellence grew. The legacy he was building as an entrepreneur was inspiring. Sadly, I did not realize all that he had accomplished in the business world until after he passed.
Leading up to the keynote, I had prepared a speech entitled “2020 Vision.” In my opinion, it was good. But after January 26, it felt flat. It lacked depth. To cope with my grief, I watched dozens of Kobe interviews. Over the course of three days I probably watched ten hours of his interviews in addition to his Muse documentary. I wasn’t sure what I was searching for but on the second day it occurred to me that I was trying to find lessons. Lessons from Kobe on how to live out my 2020 vision.
While there are many lessons we can learn from Kobe, there were three principles that stood out to me. Principles that I have observed from other greats who have graced us with their presence on Earth, and themes that Kobe consistently mentioned in his interviews on success. I believe all of us have a vision that only our soul can express on this planet. I believe it is our duty, divine right and great fortune to live out this vision. Here are the three principles for living out your 2020 vision.
Three principles for living out your 2020 vision
Fall in love with the hard stuff. Kobe loved everything about basketball, down to the nauseating details. He loved the smell of the nets. He loved he way the ball hit the concrete versus a polished court. He also found a way to love the hard stuff. He found meaning after losing to the Celtics during the first finals showdown. He loved it because he said it was the hard times that made him a better basketball player and a better person. Whichever industry you are in, fall in love with every aspect of it. Even the hard stuff.
Love your competition. Kobe was one of the fiercest competitors. After Tracy McGrady came back to play after injuring his back, Kobe elbowed him in the back causing McGrady to sit out again. Totally not cool, but the two laughed about it like brothers after the fact. Now, I am not suggesting that you go out there and sabotage your competition, but I am saying that in the midst of fierce competition find a way to love your opponent. Remember, they are also on a journey of living out their soul’s vision. Respect that.
Reimagine what’s possible. Kobe would often say to children to protect your dreams and protect your imagination. Don’t get caught up in the how. Be unrealistic in your dreams. Reimagine what’s possible. Before he had his 81-point dazzling show, he would dream of scoring 100 point games. If he hadn’t dreamed big, he would never have accomplished this incredible feat. The same goes for all of us. Surround yourself with beauty, an affluent approach to living, a richer way of being. Let’s reimagine what’s possible and go after the big dreams.
Kobe had a vision. He believed in that vision. And he strived to live every day of his life in a way that honored that vision.
In the words of Maya Angelou, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. “
You are the greatest story ever told, and we are all eager to read the beautiful chapters as they unfold for many many many years to come.
Your soul has a vision for you. It is your job to live it.
About Money & Mimosas: Money & Mimosas was started as a passion project by Danetha. A former NFL cheerleader turned entrepreneur, she started blogging as a way to combine all of her passions into a career. Money & Mimosas is now enjoyed by readers in over fifty countries with the same dream of achieving financial freedom without living frugally.
