Kobe Bryant Lakers

Kobe Bryant Lakers

"To go from that legal type of setting to the basketball court in one day requires amazing concentration," Lakers forward Rick Fox said. "And Kobe is not only doing it, but he's growing as a player at the same time—if that's possible."

Back when Kobe was fighting against a charge of felony sexual assault in 2003, at the time of the report by Sports Illustrated, Kobe averaged 25.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.5 assists since the All-Stars break, each number pushing the limits of his career marks.

It's not just the hours of consistent practice he put in. His greatest attribute (?) is an almost sociopathic focus that also alienates his teammates and may be the cause of his rift with O'Neal.

Like what Rick Fox said, Kobe's ability to tune in and out and between 2 very different environments like the Court of Justice and the basketball court is forcing him too deep into living in his own self-made world.

Actually it is a very familiar thing to some of us. Have you, in the midst of doing a top-priority task, got frustrated and shouted, "Don't disturb me!"? You may not have this personality trait, but some people find it easy to become self-absorbed and withdraw yourself into ignoring the kids, the kettle boiling etc.

Would you believe this 'amazing concentration' can be learned? This is what you do. Find a good quiet time and soundproof your room (close the windows and door)...all except for a rhythmic sound, e.g. the ticking of a clock.

Sit still, close your eyes and get yourself in tune with the rhythm. When you are ready, start to count along with the rhythm, all the ticks so to speak. The question is when the clock ticks for 60 seconds, did you count at 59 or 61? If you are seriously concentrating, there shouldn't be room for errors, period.

Next, you can fix your eyes on a particular pattern anywhere in your room down to a dot, and really concentrate on that spot while you count up to 60. After 60 seconds, are you sure you are still staring at the same spot? Or have you become groggy?

Now you think you are all right at 60 seconds, extend your test to 2 minutes and more. Some people cannot stand doing this kind of "crazy stuff", yet it does help those who get easily distracted. Out of the 5 senses, the senses of sight and sound are through which we receive our inputs from the environment the most, so they are to be trained.

Even when you have a headache, employing this kind of 'sociopathic' concentration and attitude can help you to get a job done. Seriously, why would you not take a rest? A self-development coach we know said, "You will yourself to fix your concentration into the moment despite outside influences because you acknowledge 100% responsibility for that moment."

Internet marketers don't stay up late at 4, 5 am because they are passionate, nor do they need to drink coffee. If there is a thing they must do to finish it, and on time, they will snap themselves into wakefulness in the name of professionalism.

Lakers Kobe Bryant & teammates on LA Times photo shoot