Anyone Can Make an Effort, but Not Everyone Works Hard

Kobe Bryant

Source - Newsis

"Because you don't invest as much time as I do, you can never be better than me. So I've already won."

These were the words legendary basketball player Kobe Bryant said in an interview. This one line best describes his life.

A person who woke up at 4 a.m., went to the gym alone, and never stopped practicing even when others were resting. What mattered to him was becoming better than he was yesterday, and this is not just a basketball story. His life itself was a textbook example of 'focus and repetition.'

When I first heard this story, my heart felt warmed. Although he was younger than me, he became my role model in life, and he still is. Truly great people are not judged by skill alone. I think Kobe was greater at the point of how much he pushed himself.

People sometimes ask me.

"What is your motto?"

My answer is always the same.

"There may be people who are better than me, but there is no one who works harder than me."

This is not just a cool line; it is also the way I live. And this belief was greatly influenced by Kobe's attitude.

Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. If you look only at skill, people often say Jordan is ahead. But I prefer Kobe for one simple reason: 'effort.'

The person who woke up earlier than anyone else and stayed longer than anyone else to practice. "The reason I am more prepared is that I trained more than other people did." This is too valuable a statement to hear as only a sports story.

There are really many talented people in the world. People with brilliant talent in a field, people who achieve results with natural ability. When I see them, I sometimes feel envious and sometimes feel smaller.

But I don't think that way. Talent is something you are born with, but 'effort' is something anyone can choose.

Doing my best within what I have and trying to improve by even 1% over yesterday, today as well. That is the only strategy I can use, and also the most reliable one.

I live with the confidence that, in my field, I am the one who works hardest. And I believe that should not just be a mindset, but should be accompanied by concrete action.

Over the past year

55 lectures

2 books

3 paper presentations

Operating a blog with 7 million cumulative visitors

Creating content for a YouTube channel with 330,000 subscribers

All of these activities are records of having done my best. As a doctor, I do my best for each and every patient, and when delivering information, I spend time not just on explanation, but on creating content that is truly helpful.

A motto is not just a cool phrase. It is a 'compass of the heart' that gives direction when things are difficult.

Not everyone needs to have a motto. But I think living with your own standards and your own philosophy is truly important.

What is your motto? If that sentence can set the direction of your life, you will be able to make a stronger version of yourself than you are now.