Mentorship used to be simple: an older voice, a younger listener, advice passed down like inheritance. But in 2026, information is everywhere. With tutorials, podcasts, social media opinions, etc., guidance is no longer scarce. Which means mentorship is no longer about telling someone what to do, because chances are they’ve already heard it.

Today, real mentorship now is about discernment: helping someone decide what’s worth keeping and what needs to be ignored, because too many options don’t create clarity, they create confusion. It’s about direction in a world full of exposure, helping someone understand not just what’s possible, but what’s aligned. Not every opportunity is meant for them, and a real mentor helps make that distinction. It’s also about consistency: showing up beyond moments and into patterns, because growth doesn’t come from one conversation, but from someone being present long enough to witness and shape who you’re becoming. And it’s accountability without ego, truth without control, standards without self-importance. Because access isn’t the same as guidance, visibility isn’t the same as identity, and being seen is not the same as being known. Mentorship still matters because it grounds you. It filters the noise, sharpens your direction, and reminds you who you are before the world tells you who to be.

Fighting [in this context] suggests an offensive posture; a constructive attempt to create an outcome.  In other words, fighting FOR something. I like to think of this as capacity building—An act designed to erect or establish something.   Why? Because you care deeply enough about something such that your are moved to action—to fight.  The aim is to create a future state based on what we’ve learned from our past and what we desire for our future.
Conversely, resistance may be viewed more as a defensive posture; an attempt to prevent or disallow.  In other words, fighting AGAINST something. Attempting to tear something down.
Now, why is this important? What does it mean to you and your ability to get things done?
To be most effective, you must always focus your energy on building rather than tearing down. Even when something is obsolete or otherwise ineffective you want to determine how to leverage it in some way to advance or evolve to the next thing. In this way, u don’t alienate those involved with the obsolete and can potentially rely upon them to help build a new position. As we all know, there is strength in numbers, and synergy—no matter where it may come from—is always advantageous. So do not destroy; rather, recycle, re-use and re-invent.

discipline

dis·ci·pline | \ˈdi-sə-plən  \

training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character

For the purposes of this discussion, let’s consider discipline as: “the practice of doing the things necessary to successfully achieve the desired outcome.”

Generally, it takes many experiences accumulated over several years for us to develop the discipline needed to achieve extraordinary success. However, there are steps we can take every day to improve our levels of discipline. Here are 5 approaches you should practice every day if you want to become more disciplined.

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone. Get involved in activities that push your limits. Stretching yourself to do things you aren’t familiar with (and sticking with them) will strengthen existing skills and develop new ones that will be needed to achieve your goals. When you commit to doing things that seem undesirable or make you uncomfortable, you will develop the ability to persevere through challenging circumstances. This is a key requirement to becoming disciplined and achieving success.
Have a Plan and Stick to it. As stated above, remaining true to what you have to do is a crucial component to becoming disciplined. Having a game plan for achieving your goals gives you a great opportunity to practice commitment and execution. Inevitably you will run into situations where you will be tempted to deviate from your plan. You must resist this temptation! Keep your eye on your prize and remain committed to executing your plan.
Practice Control. Many would refer to this as a form of self-discipline. The ability to refrain from urges, impulses or desires that are counterproductive to the pursuit of your success. This may be the most difficult to master among the 5 approaches listed here. It is human nature to have wants and needs and unknowingly, they can preoccupy you and prevent you from being at your best. You must be aware of these things and develop the ability to control them so they do not undermine your ability to succeed.
Meditate/Pray. Envision yourself achieving your goals. See yourself being successful.  Some people refer to this as visualization. Visualization helps you “actualize” what you need to do to achieve your goals and how you will do so—effectively, programming your brain to pursue the success you desire. Once this “programming” happens, it becomes easier to pursue your goals. Similarly, prayer helps you develop the faith you need to trust your thoughts and actions. It also helps you manage the distractions and temptations always lurking close by that will impede your progress.
Forgive Yourself. When things go wrong or you slip up (and yes, this will happen more than you might like), give yourself the gift of forgiveness. No one is perfect and we all fail occasionally. Failure is a necessary ingredient to the learning process. Give yourself permission to not be at your best from time to time so that you don’t overreact or punish yourself when it happens. Focus on what you can learn (from your mistakes) so that you improve your ability to succeed.

Having discipline is the most important determinant of your success. As Steve Harvey says: “discipline, not desire, determines your destiny.” Doing these 5 things will help you “build the muscles” necessary to become more disciplined. Do them every day and you will be well on your way to achieving success!

Call to Action: Identify 3 areas in which you will practice more discipline and write them down. Be very specific! Review them everyday and record your progress.

In the wake of the horrific tragedy of losing our beloved Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gigi, and the lives of seven others, we are left with enormous and unthinkable grief that seemingly cannot be understood, consoled, or reconciled. Our hearts ache for Vanessa and the Bryant family and the loved ones of all those that perished as a result of this unimaginable tragedy.  However, we are comforted by knowing that the nine souls that perished are now resting peacefully with our Heavenly Father.  We pray their families and loved ones find the strength, courage, and faith to pick up from this devastation and continue onward in the spirit and glory of their fallen loved ones.   

Accordingly, as Kobe would demand and expect of us all, we must push on. #MambaMentality demands that we now pick up the pieces and forge ahead to embody his beliefs, his passions, his greatness.  Therefore, The Enlightened Mentor Project, in true Kobe fashion, will continue its legacy of nonprofit and philanthropic impact.  Our resolve to help at-risk teens and young adults realize their dreams and achieve extraordinary outcomes is stronger than ever. We will continue as Kobe would: we will be undeterred in the pursuit of our mission and we won’t stop until excellence—for our youth and our communities—has been achieved!

So Kobe…. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

THANK YOU, for showing us what greatness is on the basketball floor for 20 spectacular years; THANK YOU, for showing us how to successfully and gracefully change from one activity to another; THANK YOU, for being a phenomenal Husband and Father and renewing our hope in marriage and the family unit; THANK YOU, for showing us fathers how to be a loving dad to our daughters; THANK YOU, for inspiring us to become better versions of ourselves; THANK YOU for being unapologetically you!

There will never be anyone else like you. We are grateful to have known, watched, and been entertained by you for 41 short, yet glorious years.  You have given our young people an amazing blueprint from which they can build successful and impactful lives!  The Enlightened Mentor Project will ensure your legacy lives on among the people and communities that need you most.

Kobe Bean Bryant, May you Rest In Peace……

MambaForever #GOAT #NewNBALogo