Hi, this is Brian.
Welcome back to another Areté +1°, a micro-chapter from our new book, Areté: Activate Your Heroic Potential.
451 ideas like this…
PRACTICING WITH KOBE
AT 4:00 A.M.
Alan Stein is one of the world’s leading peak performance coaches. He’s worked with some of the most elite athletes (and executives) in the world and wrote a couple of great books.
In Raise Your Game, Alan tells a GREAT story about some time he spent with Kobe Bryant.
It goes something like this…
Once upon a time, Nike flew Alan out to Los Angeles to work the first-ever Kobe Bryant Skills Academy. At the time, Kobe was the best basketball player in the world.
Alan asked Kobe if he could watch him work out.
As Alan says: “That’s how it is in my business. Everyone can see the game, but to really learn the secrets, you have to watch the practice. It’s the difference between buying Jay-Z’s album and sitting in the studio watching him write and record one.”
So…
Alan asks Kobe if he can watch his workout.
Kobe says: “Sure. I’m going at four.”
Alan says: “But don’t we have a camp session at three thirty tomorrow afternoon?”
Kobe says: “I know. I’m working out at 4:00 a.m.”
Alan’s head explodes a bit at that moment.
Perfect.
Alan shows up at 4:00 a.m.
What did he see?
Well, first of all, by the time he arrives at 4:00 a.m., Kobe is already drenched in sweat.
He says: “For forty-five minutes I was shocked. For forty-five minutes I watched the best player in the world do the most basic drills. I watched the best player on the planet do basic ball-handling drills. I watched the best player on the planet do basic footwork. I watched the best player on the planet do basic offensive moves.”
And: “Granted, he did everything with surgical precision and superhero intensity, but the stuff he was doing was so simple. I couldn’t believe it.”
Later in the day he thanked Kobe.
He didn’t want to sound rude or condescending but couldn’t resist asking him: “You’re the best player in the world. Why do such basic stuff?”
Kobe’s response?
Alan says: “He flashed that gleaming smile of his. ‘Why do you think I’m the best player in the game?’ he asked. ‘Because I never get bored with the basics.’”
That’s our +1°.
How are YOUR basics?
A.k.a.: Your FUNDAMENTALS!!!
Remember…
Greatness is ALL about consistency on the fundamentals.
Remember Kobe in the gym at 4:00 a.m. as you DOMINATE your fundamentals with superhero intensity today.
P.S. Areté: Activate Your Heroic Potential = an instant Amazon bestseller and is now officially available! Place your order today and let's do this, heroes!
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