5 life lessons that Kobe Bryant taught us

#4 Conquer fear

Kobe Bryant wasn't afraid to confront fear in order to achieve his goals

As one of the world's most prominent sporting figures playing for the NBA's most iconic team, Bryant faced pressure like few others before him, although, he refused to back down from his challenges.

"The more you ignore fear the more it controls you. I’ve found that the most important thing to do with fear is to just look at it." - Kobe Bryant via Nays.org

On the court, Bryant never feared missing shots or making mistakes despite the prospect of intense scrutiny and criticism, while off the court, he also jumped into second career act despite some telling him that he couldn't conquer Hollywood.

Thanks to his iconic 'no-flinch' moment back in 2010, some of Bryant's most loyal fans have stated that he was simply born without fear, however, in reality, Bryant felt fear just like all of us - although he managed to confront it head-on to come out on top.

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#5 Follow your passion in life

Kobe Bryant's 'Dear Basketball' offers an insight into his passion for basketball

Bryant was born with a love for basketball thanks to his father's success in the NBA. Watching Bryant's Oscar-winning short 'Dear Basketball' provides a perfect insight into his love of the game as a child, and Bryant famously slept with a basketball every night as he chased his dream of going professional.

While less passionate individuals have also carved out careers in the NBA, Bryant demonstrated that passion can elevate you even further - and the Laker legend viewed his countless hours in the gym as simply part of the process rather than 'work'.

When his love for basketball finally faded, Bryant opted to walk away in order to follow his next passion - and Kobe's life serves as a reminder to follow your dreams and give it everything you have to make them a reality.