Eric P. Butts

It’s almost 11:30pm pst as I sit down to write this. I’m back in my hotel — and for the 3rd time in as many nights my mind is taking me to the same place.

Kobe Bean Bryant aka the Black Mamba.

In case you’re not familiar, Kobe was a retired nba superstar who will be going into the hall of fame as one of the greatest players to ever touch a basketball. I say “was” because he died over the weekend in a helicopter crash, along with his second oldest daughter GiGi.

Tributes have been pouring in from Kobe’s friends, mentors, and fans all over the world.

Some people have come out against all of the tributes because of his widely publicized sexual assault case that was settled in 2005.

To the second group of people I say, people can be two things at the same time. And sometimes people can evolve into different things overtime.

That doesn’t change the past or any harm done, but that is a part of humanity. Each of us has to decide what we do with that fact.

It’s always strange how people react when they have to confront their own mortality. So while I never considered myself a hardcore Kobe fan (I grew up more of a Michael Jordan fan), his death has me thinking about a couple of things.

First — his impact on his profession and how to apply that in other fields. Or to put it more simply…

I’m thinking about The Mamba Mentality.

If I had to describe this mentality, I think the best way is an unwillingness to let anyone outwork you. No exceptions.

If you take that commitment… that obsession… and apply it to whatever you do, you will always outperform your peers.

Think about that the next time you don’t want to do that next self-study course or go to that conference.

Second — and more importantly — I’m thinking about family. Kobe left a wife and three other daughters behind.

GiGi left a mother and three sisters behind.

And there’s no amount of money that’s going to take their pain away.

So while I’m all about grinding and climbing to the top of your career, remember why you’re doing what you do. Remember the loved ones around you — and make time to create forever memories with them. And do it in whatever way works for you.

That’s the most important advice I can ever give.

To your happiness,
EB