"I want people to think of me as a talented overachiever; that I was blessed with talent but that I worked as if I had none." - Kobe Bryant
NBA great Kobe Bryant played 20 seasons for the Los Angeles Lakers, and in his final game, he scored 60 points in a home win against the Utah Jazz, an almost perfect ending to a legendary career.
In a post-game interview, Kobe was asked, "How do you want to be remembered?"
Kobe said, "I made a promise to myself that at the end of my career, I want people to think of me as a talented over-achiever; that I was blessed with talent but I worked as if I had none."
Kobe was extremely talented, but he was also known for his work ethic and Mamba Mentality. He said Mamba Mentality means trying to be the best version of yourself, and every day you pursue the never-ending quest of trying to get better.
Championship football coach Nick Saban said every leader needs three things: a vision, a plan, and discipline, and discipline is the difference maker. Showing up and doing your job to the best of your ability every day can be hard to sustain, but having a compelling goal or vision for yourself, like becoming a talented overachiever, can keep you energized and motivated when you feel tempted to go through the motions or quit.
Reflection Questions: Who do you want to be? What do you want people to say about you? Then, what do you have to do to make this happen and stay disciplined on your journey?
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