“Rest at the end. Not in the middle” – Kobe Bryant
Elite athletes are all at the top of their game when it comes to physical conditioning. Bryant played 20 years for the Los Angeles Lakers, winning 5 NBA Championships. He was arguably one of the best players to ever play professional basketball.
Most importantly though, he embodied the power of positive thinking and a relentless ability to put in the work. He later detailed his mindset and how he played the game with his book, Mamba Mentality.
What separates professional athletes from elite athletes? Mindset and the ability to put in the work are the edge that elite performers relentlessly sharpen.
“All things are possible if you put in the work to do it.” – Kobe Bryant
Too often we get to a point of comfort where things at our job or home become easy. We become complacent. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the process or reflecting on your journey. But many of us are capable of so much more than we actually give ourselves credit for.
Even 100 years before Kobe, Thomas Edison knew that hard work and opportunity go together.
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”
– Thomas Edison
At the end of any year, we start setting goals for a new year. But like most people, those goals and dreams start to fade after the first 60 to 90 days of the year tick by. We forget to keep going. We give up when things get hard.
“Have a dream. Sacrifice for it. And never, ever rest in the middle.” – Kobe Bryant
We all have a choice. We have a choice on how hard we are willing to work. Talent and smarts can only get you so far.
Are you willing to adapt, to learn, to improve?
In the end, it is up to you. We are all capable of more.
“Make a choice or a choice will be made for you.” – Tim Grover, personal trainer of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, author of Relentless
“Being relentless means demanding more of yourself than anyone else could ever demand of you, knowing that everytime you stop, you can still do more. You must do more.” – Tim Grover
Being relentless is more than a mindset. It is a way of living.
Putting in the work is required if you want to be elite.
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