Non Negotiable's In Your Career

 Passion, determination and persistence. From a simple interest to engagement to professional endeavors, the way you perform is a result of those characteristics. Deep passion keeps you in pursuit of excellence, great determination allows you to go towards a goal in training, performance or competition and persistence keeps you on track.

Kobe Bryant was intrigued with the process. This is something that is, in my opinion, lacking in dance today. Becoming, arguably, one of the greatest basketball players of all time was a byproduct of his great determination to be excellent, to be the best. Kobe Bryant taught me that doing what it takes to level up in your craft is a non negotiable. As I touched on in another writing, learning your skillset is a part of respecting your craft. It is impossible to respect what you do while working to undercut or bypass its standards. Kobe Bryant worked at his profession and excelled within its standards. He appreciated the process.

Another athlete who inspires me is Ray Lewis. From college to the National Football League, Lewis showed that he was destined to and made for his pursuit. As a football player he too was determined and persistent. I specifically connected with his undergraduate path. The way he became a blueprint for an entire professional football organization after experiencing a less that easy path was remarkable. He is a living legend. Ray Lewis taught me that it doesn't take everyone believing in you for you to believe in yourself and to follow the compass of your passions. Your authenticity can change the world.

No matter the passage of time or how much the pursuit of false revolutions arise in our social-media crazed culture, old-fashioned hard work, passion, process, respect of your work; it all still matters.