Over the last 8 years I have had great opportunities to work with young people at basketball camps and clinics and speak with classes at schools. During these times I often pose this question: how many of you want to play college basketball, or even play professionally? Each time, nearly all the hands in the room go up. The reality is only 2-3% of people will ever play college basketball. What separates the 3% that make it, from the other 97% that don’t? Its simple, they have a dream and a vision.
If your dream is to play college basketball, you must have a vision of how to get there. A lot of people say “I want to do this, but (insert excuse here)”. I’m sure you have heard someone say this or are even guilty of saying it yourself. I would like to challenge you to adopt a new phrase: “ I want to do this and this is how I am going to do it, (insert plan of action here).” Regardless of whether it’s on the basketball court, in the classroom, or in the business world, successful people all have a vision. Kobe Bryant often says that he wants to be the best player ever and its not just lip service. He has a plan of attack; he has a vision as to how he will accomplish this. He puts in 12 hours of work daily in the off-season training to improve his body, game, and mind. It’s no accident that he is one of the best to ever play the game. I challenge you develop a “Kobe-like” mindset. Develop a plan of attack and pursue your dream wholeheartedly with hard work, dedication, knowledge and persistence. Don’t let your dreams be dreams, make them a reality.