Basketball legend Kobe Bryant’s untimely death, that resulted from a helicopter crash that killed him, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others, left in its wake a void felt by millions of people – fans and non-fans alike. Bryant was a former NBA MVP, a five-time NBA Champion, a two-time NBA Finals MVP and Olympic gold medallist, an Academy Award winner, and the most beloved Los Angeles Laker ever. However, he was also a legend outside the court, being one of the most iconic celebrities of all time.

Kobe lived his life with determination and perseverance and inspired millions of kids to overcome odds to realise their dreams. What has Kobe taught us and how do we honour his legacy? We continue to remember him through the many lessons he’s left behind.

1. Fight for Your Dreams

Kobe was known for his unwavering self-confidence and determination. Despite being just a 17-year-old when entering the NBA, Kobe maintained laser focus in achieving his dreams. He was never as tall as the biggest guys in the NBA, and there were seasons where his teams would struggle. However, amid all obstacles, Kobe always made sure to keep what he calls the “Mamba Mentality” – a persisting competitive spirit that focused on preparation, practice and doing more than the next guy.

Through watching Kobe over the years, I was always reminded to be dedicated to the work you’ve chosen to do. Watching him made me understand the importance of seeing everyday training and learning as an opportunity, a stepping stone to be and achieve more in the world.

Like Kobe, you need to do this without losing sight of your dreams. As they say, if you fight for your dreams, they will fight for you. So be like Kobe and push through the obstacles that you have to face to get to where you need to be.

2. Widen Your Horizons

Kobe was one of the most well-travelled NBA superstars in history. He was beloved everywhere, from Brazil to China. The man spoke countless languages from Italian to Spanish to Slovenian to Mandarin, and would even learn foreign opponents’ languages (sometimes just so he could trash talk them). A two-time Olympic gold medallist, Kobe was always willing to compete against the best in the world.

Kobe understood the value of learning different cultures and how it could build bridges. He would take every opportunity to travel abroad and be present in other countries. This was also true when we look at his business career, as Kobe was able to expand his brand and sell his Nike shoes all across the world.

Like Kobe, you need to widen your horizons and understand that even if you’re the Kobe Bryant and live in a big city like Los Angeles, the world is much larger than what you know it to be. Be open to learning from others of different cultures, and like Kobe, be confident enough to know others can learn from you.

3. Make Your Name Memorable

If there was one thing Kobe was good at, it was making a name for himself. Kobe branded himself like no other, with the Black Mamba moniker being one of the most memorable nicknames in sports history. He also foresaw how big the market in the Far East would be, and made sure to have his Nike shoes distributed all across places like China. Kobe’s name recall is so good that “Kobe!” is the word most people say when shooting trash into a rubbish bin.

Kobe understood the value of having his name be remembered. When people know you, they expect the best of you. This might sound scary, but he used it so that he would be challenged to be the best person he could be. He also knew that if everyone knew his name, it would only open doors and bring him bigger opportunities.

Start valuing yourself the same way. Have your name be known, and your presence felt. This way, you’ll only open yourself to greater things for you to achieve.

4. Don’t Be Scared to Fail

Shoot your shot. We hear that a lot, but we often forget what it entails. In Kobe’s case, people forget that while he scored over 33,000 points in his career, he also missed more shots than anyone else in NBA history. Kobe missed nearly 15,000 shots in his career, but this wasn’t a knock on him. If anything, he showed us that it’s important to fail in order to succeed.

The best thing about Kobe was that he wasn’t afraid to fail. This is something I’ve learned in my years of entrepreneurship, and that we’ll all do well to remember in life. Whether you’re starting your own business, trying to learn a sport or struggling in school, you need to understand the importance of failure and its ability to power you to bigger success.

Those 15,000 missed shots were integral to the legend of Kobe Bryant. And it’s a legend with a fire that will keep burning, as long as we let it.

To your success,

Mario

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