'Mamba Out' -- Lessons on Becoming the Best From Kobe Bryant

'Mamba Out'

With one last win and his last words as a Lakers player, Kobe Bryant retired from the game he is known to love. Now I'm not a big Kobe Bryant fan. (This is Dub Nation!) But after 20 years in the league, five NBA championships, four NBA All-Star MVP awards, and a host of other accolades, he is clearly one of the best players in the NBA. He's cemented his place in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Through good times and bad times, he has proven to be a world-class, dedicated ball handler.

Kobe Bryant has had his share of both love and hate, and he's responded to it all by getting on the court day in and day out to do what he does best. Besides his sheer talent, he has always amazed people with his mentality toward the game and his will to win. Many people, especially some in the media, labeled him as arrogant and egotistical. But in reality, he really wasn't -- he just has a tenacity and focus that was exceptional.

Kobe's career in the NBA can teach us many things about how to face life, handle greatness and above all, use the talent God gave each of us to be the absolute best. Here are just a few of those lessons from the "Black Mamba":

1. Develop a killer instinct.

A killer instinct is defined as "a ruthless determination to succeed or win." Rain or shine, when Kobe Bryant stepped on to the court, he showed up to not just play, but to win. We were all put in this world to win. No matter what field we get to play on, we have to find our mood that takes us to another mindset and level of determination and drive.

2. Accept changes as challenges.

In 20 seasons, Kobe Bryant's career was littered with physical injuries and other off-the-field issues that could sideline any player. But he decided to take the changes in his life, tack on motivation, and look for ways to overcome. To survive and thrive in this world, we must learn how to adapt to change, face challenges with heart and fight to overcome difficulties.

3. Let the negativity inspire you.

We all have heard before that "haters gonna hate" and "when people hate you it's because you've got something they want." But Kobe Bryant takes this one step further. Instead of letting the negativity get to him, he uses their efforts to deter him to prove them wrong. There is negativity all around us and it is our decision to make whether it will use us, or whether we will use it.

4. Learn from other great people.

The best learn from the best. Kobe Bryant asked questions of other people who were great in basketball such as Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, and from people who were great in other fields such as Michael Jackson. There is always one telling thing that separates great people from just good or average.

5. Never stop growing.

No matter how good we get at something, we can always improve. Kobe Bryant worked every day to improve his game -- physically, mentally and emotionally. Preparation takes effort. Champions are not made on the field; they are made in the gym, on the practice court, in school, on the training grounds. Never allow yourself to get to a point where you stop learning because when you stop learning, you stop growing.

6. Sacrifice precedes success.

Nobody has ever become great without sacrifice. So it was with Kobe Bryant and so it will be with you and me. Success takes hard work, effort, practice, and sacrifice. Sacrifice is painful, discomfortable, and sometimes disappointing, but always it brings for some good fruit. Determination properly channeled will yield great rewards.

7. Stick with the stuff.

Kobe Bryant had his share of ups and downs, trials and tribulations, but for 20 straight seasons, he stayed with one team. Staying with what you start shows a lot about your character and about your heart. Don't run away when things get tough. Hang in there, stick it out. Tenacity, discipline, focus, and commitment will help you remain steadfast. Twenty seasons -- twenty of anything for that matter -- is a long time, but in the end, if you just stick with it, it is always well worth it.