On this 273rd episode of my Monday Morning Pep Talk, I want to introduce you to one of the most important guiding principles in my playbook: Success leaves clues. The quote, made famous by Jim Rohn and echoed by Tony Robbins, reminds us of a simple but powerful truth - someone, somewhere, has already done what we want to do. They’ve cracked the code, followed the formula, and left a trail behind. Our job? Pay attention, study their moves, and adapt the blueprint to fit our own path.
Today, I want to take you behind the scenes of a story shared by Alan Stein Jr., a renowned keynote speaker and former elite performance coach who’s worked with some of the top athletes on the planet. In this story, Alan recounts a moment when he witnessed Kobe Bryant execute his legendary morning training ritual - an experience that delivered a powerful lesson about what true mastery and commitment really look like.
Before I jump into today’s call, I want to remind you of my professional purpose: to help you, the full-service, full-fee Advisor, optimize your productivity and become the best version of yourself. Why? Because “Happy Advisors Sell More Real Estate.” I do that by teaching you how to handle the challenges and opportunities you face every day. When you can effectively manage the situations that arise daily in your business, you’ll be more productive and live a life that reflects the best version of yourself. My ask is that you listen as if you’re in a one-on-one coaching session with me, either in my office or on a call.
In Alan Stein Jr's words (NOTE: The YouTube video is in my weekly email), I want to bring to you what he witnessed and the story behind it:
The first time I met Kobe Bryant, he said something that hit me like a lightning bolt – it changed the way I looked at mastery and performance for the rest of my life.
Back in 2007, Nike flew me out to LA to be part of the very first Kobe Bryant Skills Academy. This was no ordinary camp - Nike had hand-picked the top high school and college players in the country for three days of intense work with the best player on the planet. And make no mistake, in 2007, Kobe was the best in the game."
Now, here’s what you need to know about me: basketball was my first love. Fell in love with it at age five. And decades later, it still plays a major role in my life. So when I got that invite to be on staff, I saw it as more than just a job - it was a chance to get close to someone who had truly mastered their craft. And I’d always heard the stories - the urban legends - about how intense Kobe’s individual workouts were. This was my shot to see it for myself."
So, I asked him. “Hey Kobe, any chance I can come watch one of your workouts?”
He smiled - gracious, generous - and said, “Sure, I’m going at 4.”
I said, “Great, I’ll be there at 3:30.”
Then I looked at the camp schedule… first workout with the players wasn’t until 3:30 PM the next day.
Kobe must’ve caught my confused look, because he followed up with: “Yeah… 4 A.M.”
Now - I had no good reason to say no. So I committed. And if I was going to be there anyway, I figured I’d make the most of it. Leave an impression. Show him I took this seriously. I set my alarm for 3 AM, got up, grabbed a cab, and headed to the gym.
I pulled up at 3:30 AM. It’s pitch black. But the gym lights were already on. I could hear the ball bouncing. Sneakers squeaking. I walk in… and Kobe’s already in a full sweat - 30 minutes into a pre-workout warm-up — before his real session even started at 4.
And here’s where it gets real.
I sat down and watched him for 45 minutes and in those 45 minutes, I saw the best player in the world doing the most basic drills imaginable. I’m talking footwork, jab steps, pivots - stuff I taught middle school kids. But Kobe? He did it with surgical precision. Intensity. Focus. Purpose. The workout went on for another couple of hours. I didn’t say a word. Just watched. Took it in. Then quietly left.
But the question kept chewing at me. So later that day at camp, I found him again and asked: “Kobe, I don’t get it. You’re the best player in the world. Why were you doing such basic drills?”
He gave me that signature smile, winked, and said:
“Why do you think I’m the best player in the world? Because I never get bored with the basics.”
That line changed everything for me.
It hit me like a freight train: just because something is basic doesn’t mean it’s easy.
Those two words - basic and easy - are not the same. People treat them like synonyms. They’re not. And the truth is, we live in a world that pushes shortcuts. Hacks. New. Shiny. Sexy.
But here’s the truth most people don’t want to hear: the basics work. They always have. They always will. The challenge? Having the humility to stick with them. To repeat them. To master them. Every single day.
That story hit me at exactly the right time - and its message couldn’t be more relevant. Success leaves clues. I’m constantly working to bring the most current, relevant, and high-impact content to those in my ecosystem. But I’ll be honest - it’s not always easy. With the rapid pace of change in our world, our industry, and our local markets, staying grounded can feel like a moving target. What’s always been in my DNA, though, is this: mastering the basics at an elite level. This story, which I had heard years ago, resurfaced at just the right moment. I took the time to revisit it, study it again, and bring it to you with fresh perspective. Here are the takeaways that stood out most:
- Mastery lives in the basics - not in the flashy, trendy tactics.
- Intensity + simplicity = elite performance.
- Don’t confuse basic with easy - they’re not the same.
- Shortcuts feel good in the moment but sabotage your long game.
- Sustained excellence requires humility and repetition.
- If the best in the world aren’t bored with the fundamentals, you shouldn’t be either.
So here’s my challenge to you this week: stop chasing the shiny objects and start studying the clues. Look around - who’s doing what you want to do at the level you want to do it? What are they actually doing day in and day out? Not the highlight reel - the real stuff. Pick your basics. Pick your spots on the court. Then get honest with yourself: are you committed to the fundamentals, or just flirting with them? The blueprint is out there. Success leaves clues. It’s up to you to follow them.
