I have great respect for successful athletes. They have reached their goals, not because of luck, but because they have been working hard throughout their entire lives.
One of Hungary's greatest football players told a reporter about how we was different from all his mates already at an age of 10. Instead of going to parties, he was training. After school, he went to practice with his own team, then to practice with an older team, and then with yet another team.
But, what is Kobe Bryant saying here?
If you're afraid to fail, then you're probably going to fail.
Maybe you are afraid to bet your life on one activity. Maybe you are afraid to run a half-marathon, because - maybe you will fail. If that is your thought, then you will most likely faily.
But, if you decide to stand up and to agree with yourself that it is worth it and that you can doing, then it will have the opposite effect.
Of course, there are many athletes who work a lot, but never become the best. But, if you don't try, you are for sure deemed to fail.
I believe the fear of failure is terrible. It is completely different from using common sense. The latter might help you make rational decisions, but fear is not about making rational decisions... it is just about keeping you away from your destiny!