Kobe Bryant’s name is known around the world. He was an incredible father, an Oscar winner, an investor, an advocate, and yes, a basketball player.
To anyone who followed his career, there was one thing that separated Kobe from his peers: His work ethic. It was legendary. Tales were often told about him wrapping up a training session before anyone even arrived at practice. He took just two weeks off after winning a championship before heading back to the office. He had a drive like no other.
It’s what made him one of the greatest of all time.
The truth is, though, Kobe didn’t see the accomplishing of his goals as the dream. The dream, to Kobe, was the journey.
Here are his words on the subject during his retirement ceremony at the Staples Center, speaking to his family:
“If you do the work, you work hard enough, dreams come true. You know that, we all know that. But hopefully what you get from tonight is that those times when you get up early and you work hard; those times when you stay up late and you work hard; those times when you don’t feel like working – you’re too tired, you don’t want to push yourself, but you do it anyway…That is actually the dream. That’s the dream. It’s not the destination, it’s the journey. And if you guys can understand that what you’ll see happen is that, you won’t accomplish your dreams, your dreams won’t come true, something greater will.”
Kobe’s story isn’t about how to be a great basketball player. It’s about how to live a great life. It’s about pushing yourself for a cause that’s worthwhile, working hard, focusing, and giving everything you have. The journey is the dream. Here and now.
RIP Mamba.