Inspire First. The Rest Will Follow.

Hoping 2026 gives us all the space to be great at what matters most

There’s a quote from Kobe Bryant that’s been sitting with me lately:

“The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.”

That’s a simple idea—but not an easy one.

Inspiration doesn’t come from telling people what to do.
It doesn’t come from shouting louder, winning arguments, or collecting titles.
It comes from showing up. From doing the work. From letting people see what’s possible when someone refuses to quit.

The last few years have taught me that greatness doesn’t always look like trophies or headlines. Sometimes it looks like persistence. Sometimes it looks like growth that only a handful of people ever notice. Sometimes it’s just getting through another hard day and choosing to show up again tomorrow.

If there’s one thing I hope for as we head toward 2026, it’s this:
That we create more room for people to become who they’re meant to be.

Kids. Parents. Teachers. Caregivers. Community leaders.
Not by boxing them into someone else’s idea of success—but by encouraging them to find their own.

I’ve seen what happens when someone believes in a kid who’s struggling.
I’ve seen what happens when families are supported instead of dismissed.
I’ve seen how powerful it is when people are inspired instead of controlled.

Inspiration doesn’t guarantee success—but it makes greatness possible.

And greatness doesn’t have to mean famous or flashy.
Sometimes it means resilient.
Sometimes it means kind.
Sometimes it means steady when everything else feels uncertain.

So as we look ahead to 2026, my hope is pretty simple:

That we inspire more than we criticize.
That we build people up instead of sorting them out.
That we remember everyone’s path looks different—and that’s not a flaw, it’s the point.

If we can do that, I think great things are possible.
Not for a few—but for a lot more people than we realize.