This is the kind of motivation that I like.
You don’t tell a kid he can be the best just because it’s easier for you to give a positive message, you don’t let him win.
You challenge him. You humiliate him. You make him understand that you are between him and greatness.
This is how you weed out the people that aren’t hungry enough from the people that will remember that humiliation and work harder to get back at you.
Let’s stop the undeserved praise, let’s raise the bar. Massive assumptions of potential only create complacency.
I really like Kobe’s attitude. That 14 y/old kid will either be great, or he is going to be no one. But a “Will-Smith-Pursuit-of-Happiness-motivation” wouldn’t have changed that.
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PS: I’m not replying anymore to comments that mention how my posts are “passive agressive” attacks to some blogger. Not wasting my time with stupid arguments.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
We shouldn’t be afraid to hurt feelings in the pursuit of the truth and bettering ourselves and others because truth and excellence are superior goals to emotional comforts or fragile egos. That’s the core of your recent posts on this theme.
Am I understanding you correctly?
Correct.
So the people who are overly polite won’t honestly engage with thoughts and ideas because of those feelings due to emotions and their ego. It’s hard to have a productive conversation with those people.
On the other extreme, people with emotional and ego problems can react in the opposite direction. You get people full of hate, fear, ignorance, etc. who pick a position and stick with it, and they are also impossible to reason with sometimes. For example, a racist person, a political or religious zealot, etc. Again, it’s the ego and emotions getting in the way of an ability to think rationally.
I haven’t seen you make that argument, but do you see where I’m coming from? Would you agree with that assessment of trolls, bullies, racists, fanatics, and the like?
Completely agree. This is why I believe we need to prioritize logic, reason and debate capacity, to eliminate both extremes. In a debate where we hold each argument to logic instead of likability, objectivity arises. The problem with having your feelings too connected to your stance, is that you end up ignoring new information. Religion is a great example, who conveniently ignore science. Same with that “haters” argument. It’s easier to get angry, call criticism “hate”, and kill whoever is trying to change the information scenario.
Therefore: If strong emotions get in the way of clear thinking and if we want to promote clear thinking, then when we engage in arguments with others, we should try to AVOID triggering their strong emotions insofar as it’s possible while still being honest and making our point. We shouldn’t let a fear of hurting someone’s feelings a little prevent us from saying something potentially helpful or useful, but we also shouldn’t champion upsetting people like that in and of itself has some sort of value in changing opinion and belief for the better. It doesn’t. It just makes people shut down. The sweet spot is where good discussions happen.
I actually just posted this exact video on my Facebook as the reason why Kobe will repeat this year and Lebron will go home.
In order for an individual to be great, he must be challenged.
This kid can look at this video and feel humiliated, or, this kid can go home and practice like hell everyday until he becomes great like Kobe.
I actually saw your video, and it reminded me of the first time I saw it. I think I should have mentioned you on the post…
Kobe is injured and that could get in the way, but I hope you’re right
I made a cool realization that I don’t need to be caring and worrying so deeply about the influence me or my blog might be having on the net. It will come if it comes; all I need to do is write. That’s my responsibility if I so choose it to be.
I’ve humiliated myself for the last time. Thanks.
I hear all the time about this idea of “getting paid to be yourself.” Well, here’s the problem: people worry on the getting paid part before figuring out how to be themselves. There’s no reason we should all blog, it’s obvious that blogging is not what a lot of people should be doing, since we are not all the same.
My point is: focus on being you. If numbers/money comes, awesome, and if it doesn’t, it’s ok too. But if you don’t do what comes natural to you, I assure you, results won’t happen.
Hi Carlos,
Love it. Love Kobe and his winning mentality. Losing is not an option.
I thinks it’s a good mindset for everyone doing business; eat of be eaten. Survival of the fittest.
Thanks!
Hi Carlos, it’s nice landing on your blog. I just wanted to say thanks for posting this. I’ve been a Kobe fan since I was a kid and I agree with this post. Sometimes you need to be humiliated to learn a lesson; however, Kobe was just kidding around. Great video! Hope the Lakers win it this year.
Great post. I really had to leave a comment after reading this! Keep it up!