The “Mamba Mentality” May Not Work For You
Kobe Bryant will be missed. #MambaForever
I am so grateful that I got to live in the time of Kobe Bryant. Although I didn’t watch any of his games, I knew he was the greatest Laker and arguably the greatest NBA player of all time. When the news of his passing was announced, it was sad to learn that his family would no longer have him in their lives. On the other hand, I was in awe of the way he had lived his life.
The name Kobe Bryant is synonymous with hard work, competitiveness, preparation, excellence, precision and dedication. Matt Barnes, a retired basketball player said “Kobe Bryant had a God given talent. The way he paid God back was with his preparation and hard work.” Interviews with his team mates and even opponents have stated that Kobe would be the first person doing drills on the court, or at the gym, and he would aim to hit between 400- 800 made shots before the official team warm up on a game day.
The Mamba Mentality
He nicknamed himself the “Black Mamba” because of the deadly qualities of the snake and he said of himself “”When I step on that court, I become that. I am that killer snake. I’m stone cold, man.” We can see that with achievements on the court leading the Lakers to win 5 championships, 2 time gold medalist at the Olympics and numerous All Star Game appearances.
He eventually coined the term “Mamba Mentality” which was adopted by athletes and non-athletes. In his own words, the Mamba Mentality “is about 4 a.m. workouts, doing more than the next guy and then trusting in the work you’ve put in when it’s time to perform. Without studying, preparation and practice, you’re leaving the outcome to fate. I don’t do fate.” He added “Hard work outweighs talent — every time.”
Now everyone on social media is abuzz with the #mambamentality. Maybe you thought about it, but I am here to tell you to stop before you start for the following reasons:
- You Hate Your Job
You cannot apply the Mamba Mentality to something you are not 100% in love with. Even if you don’t hate your job — but you don’t love it either, chances are you are half-assing it, while hoping something better comes along. Kobe was in love with basketball, head over hoops in love with the sport. He loved every part of it, so he loved the pain and the grind. I know it may be corny, but if you haven’t; find something you truly love.
Then the long work sessions will fuel you instead of deplete of you, the level of respect from colleagues will increase as you become to go-to person in that area, you will make more money and you will be an inspiration to a whole new generation of people you don’t know.
2. You Don’t Respect The Basics
In South Africa we have an ultra marathon called the Comrades Marathon where the course is 90km (56 miles) and the cut off time to complete the race is within 12 hours. My friend, who has run the marathon twice told me that to start training you just need to get comfortable being on your feet for 12 hours non stop. The time can be spent walking or standing, but you need to develop the ability to just do this one thing, before you can get to running. A lot of us would want to start training immediately, but can you just stand?
Kobe’s training consisted of the basics, over and over again. His belief was that you need to be flawless at the basics so that you can build on them in the game. Even after he retired, he still trained with current players like Lebron James, Kawhi Leonard, to Giannis Antetokounmpo.
You can’t cheat the grind, it knows exactly what you have put in and most of us don’t have much to withdraw. We are constantly stimulated and distracted from doing the deep work necessary. Although, in theory we know nothing is really instant or easy, but the way we work would suggest otherwise. There is no glam filter that you can put over the business model an investor asks to see- you just have to turn off Netflix, sit on your ass and do the work.
3. You Think You Have Time
I hate snakes, but one thing they understand is timing. The have the precision and speed to hit their target. Planning and preparation are essential, but execution is where you see your progress. Kobe would shoot his 400 shots in practice, to make 50- 80 points in the game. While you prepare, you control the environment, but when you are playing- your training will be put on show.
If your goal, like me is to become a better writer- then research, write and publish. And repeat. When I do the first two, its at my own leisure, pace, intensity and depth, but when I hit publish I have no idea what is going to happen. I could wait until I am perfect to publish, but I need to release my body of work so I can keep on improving.
Kobe spent 20 years of his life playing basketball and after retiring, he took that same intensity into entrepreneurship and philanthropy. He won an Oscar for a film he wrote, narrated and directed called “Dear Basketball” and spent time coaching his daughters basketball team. He had no idle moments, he was creating, giving, working and encouraging the people around him. He was living!
Kobe probably had plans for the rest of the day on the morning of the fatal crash, but he didn’t get to them. You have plans for the rest of your day- do your best to get to them; tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. Kobe really designed the #mambamentality for everyone. He wanted everyone to be at their best, always. I am simply pointing out things you may want to address (stretch and massage) before you cause yourself strain. Shakespeare said “some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them.” Which one are you?
Thank you Vanessa and the girls for sharing him with us. Thank you Gianna for journeying with him. Kobe had many titles, but I think his favourite was “family man” — thank you for being great.
Rest easy champs.
