2 Thoughts on Kobe Bryant's tragic passing

Published: Mon, 01/27/20

“It’s not so much to do with the competition of the players and all this other stuff,” he said, “because I figured out at an early age, even if I showed them what it is that I do, they wouldn’t do it, just because it’s so boring and so much repetition that it takes a long time to do.” - Kobe Bryant

2 Thoughts on Kobe Bryant's Tragic Passing

If you're like me - you've probably been wrestling with how to process the tragedy that unfolded yesterday. My deepest condolences go out to all the families affected. I definitely cherished my time with my family yesterday more dearly.

Tragedies also cause us to reflect more on our legacy and how we are using our precious minutes on this earth. As I have reflected over the past 24 hours - here are 2 things that keep coming to my mind:

1 - When Joe Ehrmann tragically lost his little brother to cancer - it caused him to realize the glory, wealth and fame he was pursuing in his NFL career was not what life is all about. He realized life is all about 2 things, and I couldn't agree more. Life is all about:

1 - Relationships

2 - Working for a cause bigger than yourself

Those relationships include valuing every person you interact with every day. And in my case (and I hope for you!) it includes my relationship with my Creator.

The cause bigger than yourself is more than just your family. How are impacting this world and leaving it in a better place? If you are a coach or teacher you are pouring into many young lives and their families. If you volunteer and support organizations that help those in need, your impact is changing lives. And again in my case, God has commissioned me to share his love with the ends of the earth.

2 - The biggest enemy to great is good

Jim Collins' book Good to Great rings so true to me everyday as a coach. I see athletes that are satisfied with getting decent grades, with being a little above average athletes. Kobe Bryant was exactly the opposite of this. He was insanely gifted, don't get me wrong. But his insatiable desire to always get better drove to him to probably be the hardest worker the NBA has ever seen. He wasn't satisfied with good, or even great - but was obsessed with improving even when he was at the top of the game.

May I bring such a passion for greatness to everything I do!

Hug your family a little longer today, bring positivity and generosity to everyone you interact with, work selflessly for a world-changing cause, and do it all a little better each day never being satisfied with good.

You'll be missed Mamba.

I love hearing your stories and experiences, both the positive ones and frustrations you're having - just reply to this email and it goes straight to my inbox.

Make winning the right way your habit starting today,
Craig

Craig Haworth is the founder of Winning Youth Coaching, a site dedicated to helping coaches and parents make youth sports an awesome experience for the youth and the parents. He interviews coaches from around the world and posts them on his podcast, which currently has over 170 interviews and has been downloaded over 400,000 times. He writes a weekly note to coaches and parents. He is married to his high-school sweetheart and they share the blessing of 3 children and live in Franklin, TN. You can sign-up for his weekly note here, find him on twitter at @craighaworth1, or visit his website winningyouthcoaching.com.

"It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men"

- Frederick Douglass