What comes to mind when you think of Kobe Bryant, one of the greatest basketball players in history? His tough defense? His vertical leap? His five championship rings?
Many would argue that although Kobe’s talent and athleticism are widely acknowledged across the world, his famous mindset, the Mamba Mentality, is what truly set him apart. As we listened to Kobe’s interview with Patrick Bet-David, we were intrigued by the overlap between the Mamba Mentality and the Pro Mindset®. Let’s dive in.
“I had a purpose. I wanted to be one of the greatest basketball players to every play, and anything else that was outside of that lane I didn’t have time for.”
At 13 years old, Kobe already had a purpose. He wanted to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Watching players like Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan as a child inspired Kobe to take on the challenge of the game of basketball.
Purpose is one of the seven keys of the Pro Mindset. It is the source of your motivation. Kobe’s purpose is what led him to practice every day. It’s what made him play the game with a 102-degree fever. Ultimately, it’s what drove him to win five NBA championships. Through this interview, it’s clear that purpose is as important to the Mamba Mentality as it is to the Pro Mindset.
“Basketball for me, was the most important thing. So everything I saw whether it was T.V. shows, whether it was books I read, people I talked to, everything was done to try to learn how to become a better basketball player.”
Kobe’s passion for the game of basketball is evident in his lifestyle. His passion for the game seeped through in everything he did. Daily activities like watching T.V. and reading books served a much greater purpose for Kobe than merely leisure. Every action he took was an effort to become a better basketball player.
As veteran NFL agent Craig Domann says, “If you don’t have passion for what you do, you’re not going to be very good at it.” Kobe had unparalleled passion for basketball. That’s what made him so good at it.
“I see a lot of players take vacations with other players that are close friends. Take vacations just to take vacations or hang out just to hang out. I never did that.”
In this interview, Kobe delves into his lifestyle. He talks about the sacrifices he had to make, including not taking vacations and having to take a step away from those that are close to him. When asked why he made these decisions, Kobe responds, “When I retire, I don’t want to have to say, ‘I wish I would have done more.’”
Kobe left it all out there on the court. He made numerous sacrifices to craft a lifestyle that would allow him to be the best basketball player he could be. Craig Domann describes lifestyle as “creating an ecosystem that is conducive to whatever your dream is,” and that’s exactly what Kobe did. He gave up everything that wouldn’t help him get closer to achieving his dream. Through those sacrifices, he created an environment that molded him into a champion.
Purpose, passion, and lifestyle are three of the seven Pro Mindset keys that are at the core of the Mamba Mentality. To learn more about the Pro Mindset and how you can incorporate it in your life, check out Pro Mindset Podcast here.
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