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Speech Transcript (very little editing so not exact)

Unknown Speaker  0:00  

Hey, this is Alan Stein, Jr, the author of raise your game and if you really I mean really want to learn how to level up your life, you should be listening to the time to shine today podcast with my great friend Scott Ferguson, time to

Unknown Speaker  0:12  

shine today podcast varsity squad. This is Scott Ferguson. And I’m super stoked to bring you this interview, I read this gentleman’s book, raise your game, I get introduced to him by my rockstar friend Kate Ackman. And he is a basically he has a secret from the best of the best. And that’s kind of like the part of his book, raise your game. But this cat is a veteran basketball performance coach. He’s worked with the likes of Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and the late Kobe Bryant. And it’s just an amazing read if you haven’t read it yet. And I do have a book giveaway at the end of the podcast, so make sure you’re listening for that. But Alex is a genuine, empathetic driven person. And I’m blessed to now call him a friend and a colleague in the sense on the speaking stages and coaching. So without further ado, make sure you break out your notebooks sit back, relax, because here comes my really good friend Alan Stein Jr. Let’s level up. Time to shine today podcast varsity squad. This is Scott Ferguson and you don’t hear me talk about my my big three headed success monsters, and I actually landed one of them here with my guy, Allen Stein, you know, in his book raise your game is instrumental, I give it to my clients as gifts, I’ve given out quite a few of them. And at the end of this, I’m going to have a giveaway where I’m going to purchase few books and hopefully my friend Alan can sign them in, in, we’ll get them sent out to you. But you have to listen to the end for that. But you know, in his book, he says when you know the things you don’t do well, you become humble and driven. That’s from page 19. The only difference between seeing something as your problem or opportunity is your attitude. That’s from page 37. Our most valuable currency is our attention as page 45 self awareness plus passion plus discipline, let’s coach ability equals confidence. That’s page 74. Lastly, don’t call people out call them in successful teams talk to each other, not at each other. That’s from page to 15. But the thing that stood out with my cat here is, you know how we always say FOMO fear of reaching out or I’m sorry, fear of missing out he says FOMs fear of missing some of the dude in his acknowledgments acknowledged that there’s so many people that helped him get there that he used farms and I use I stole it from you guys hear me talk about that all the time. This is the cat that I actually got it from and his name’s Alan Stein, Jr. He teaches proven strategies to improve organizational performance, create effective leadership increase team cohesion, and collaboration developed when he mindsets, rituals and routines as a better basketball performance coach, you spent 15 years working with the highest performing athletes on the planet and get these trifecta of names squad, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Kobe Bryant, and Jay. And you know, his foreword in his book is just amazing. This guy is real deep into the NBA world. And thank you so much for coming on. And when please introduce yourself the time to shave time to shine today. Podcast first, describe the first what’s your favorite color? And why?

Unknown Speaker  3:10  

Oh, wow. You know, I don’t know that I have a distinct favorite color. I tend to wear a lot of black. You know, I don’t know why I wouldn’t go as far as to say blacks my favorite color. But I know a good portion of my wardrobe wardrobe, our grays and blacks with a little splash of color here. And yeah, man,

Unknown Speaker  3:25  

it’s your color wheel too, you know, especially when we’re on stages and stuff. It’s it. It looks good on us. So let’s get like I know your story. A lot of the squad has read your book. But let’s get kind of little the origins of where you kind of started Allen and kind of how you systematically leveled up to where you’re working with like that trifecta of people like Kobe staff, and Durant.

Unknown Speaker  3:47  

I think the most important part to start is that basketball was my first identifiable passion. And then I fell in love with the game of basketball at five years old. And here 40 years later, basketball is still a pivotal part of my life. I was raised by two incredibly involved in loving parents that were both elementary educators. So I had a very strong appreciation, even as a youngster, for education, for teaching, for coaching, and for everything that went in during the unseen hours for someone to get good at their craft, and to do something that they’re passionate about and that they love. So I’m so thankful that I had those seeds planted very early, and have had enough good people around me in my life, to keep me navigating that path, you know, to present day and, you know, I was told at a very young age, that the key to not only success, which is what everyone seems to be chasing, but also the key to fulfillment. And just true inner peace is finding what you’re really good at finding what you love to do, and then find where those two things intersect. And that intersection for me started as a basketball player, then that intersection matriculated over to being a performance coach, and now in its current iteration It’s matriculated to being a keynote speaker and an author. But it’s still the same two principles. I’m doing something that I love. And I’m doing something that I think I’m fairly decent at.

Unknown Speaker  5:10  

Love it. And you are, you’re fantastic. And you know, it’s like I always say, I don’t always say I got it from a different Steve Farber, you know, he said, you know, do what you love in the service of people that love what you do. Right? So it’s strong, right? I mean, I do that every day, I wake up and like, I love helping, I love helping people level up, I, you know, 10 people, they put a smile on their face compliments, but now, but they see that I love what I do with my coaching. So it just speaks to me and people like me are up there, like, egging you on to keep leveling people on that. That’s awesome. And so what do you think then, in some of your position, makes a good coach or a good advisor or a good consultant?

Unknown Speaker  5:48  

Well, I think it starts with what you just said so insightfully it’s a desire to serve. And I think in tandem with that, is the care factor. It’s truly caring, you know, to be a, an efficient and effective and an impactful and influential leader in any walk of life, whether it’s sports business, or anything in between, you’ve got to care about your people, you’ve got to care about those that you serve, you’ve got to care about yourself, you’ve got to care about the mission and the vision, you’ve got to care about your craft. I mean, you have to genuinely care about all of these things. And I, I’ve at least found through my own personal experience, that when I care, that’s going to motivate and inspire and encourage me to be all in and to give something my full attention. And then when I find if my caring starts to wane, if I if I start to reach, maybe even burnout to some degree, then it’s time to pivot, it’s time to switch and it’s time to do something different. And that’s, you know, that that I can speak firsthand from, you know, me leaving the direct basketball training space, something that I absolutely loved for close to 20 years, and decided to pivot over to the corporate keynote, speaking and writing space. I mean, I’ll always have an affinity and care for the game of basketball and for players and coaches. But I found me caring about the actual craft be caring about strength conditioning, and, and the sets and reps that was starting to wane. So I decided to pivot and go in a different direction and find something that I then was, you know, kind of re lit my fire.

Unknown Speaker  7:19  

Thank you for answering the questions. I call it Shiva. Because we’re my generation, we said shift, right. And now it’s pivot. So not just a ship, but I was wondering where that went, thank you for answering that. So that was fantastic. So when you when you’re working, when you started to work with a young buck, like Durant, or whatnot, or anybody else that you were starting to work with? What was your secret sauce, then, and you probably does even now that maybe help them find that blind spot?

Unknown Speaker  7:47  

Well, to take it one step back to get to the point of having an opportunity to work with a KD or a Kobe or a Steph, I learned the principle to start where you are. And this was something that early in my career I really struggled with, but I had mentors that would hold me accountable to that. And the whole concept of star where you are is, is don’t always be looking for that next thing, don’t always have one foot out the door looking for that next job, or, or whatever. Learn to embrace the opportunity that you have in front of you to start where you are to maximize your current role, and to deliver to the people you currently serve to the best of your ability. And when you do that, it will open up doors and future opportunities. And the reason I say that is most of my career was spent heavily focused on the the youth middle school and high school age demographic. Now what tends to get most of the headlines and even the pictures behind me is the work I got to do with NBA players guys that had reached the top of their profession. But that was never my focus. My focus was pouring into the local high school kids here in the DC area. But doing that to a high degree is what allowed me to work at Montrose Christian, which is where Kevin Durant graduated from and DeMatha Catholic High School, which is where Victrola depot graduated from it’s what allowed me to work the Nike skills academies with these guys behind me, but it wasn’t because I was chasing those things. It was because I was focused on what I was currently doing. And some people took notice and said, Here’s a new opportunity. So I always want to make sure that’s crystal clear. Because I think we live in a society where everyone’s always looking at the next thing. I even have people reaching me now. You know, younger, younger strength coaches reach out to me now and say, hey, you know, how can I work with NBA players? Yeah. And I say, Well, my answer to that is do a great job with whoever you’re working out right now. And eventually that will lead you to get

Unknown Speaker  9:34  

noticed. Right? You get it? That’s it, you know, we say inch by inch. It’s a cinch by the yard. It’s hard. Right? So we do inch by inch. And that’s what I have. All my clients do. We’re gonna break this thing down and get it done.

Unknown Speaker  9:49  

So it’s the same same approach to speaking I mean a world I know you’re very comfortable with as well. We know when I first started keynote speaking, I didn’t have American Express and Pepsi and star bucks back at my door, I, I had to do the best job I was capable of, of serving any audience I was in front s didn’t matter if it was 10 people or less. It didn’t matter if I was getting paid nothing doing IT pro bono, or getting paid a significant amount I want to pour into every single audience to the best of my ability. And when you do that, yeah, then some of those other opportunities will arise. And, and I also don’t want it glossed over, I did mention that when I was younger, this was really challenging for me, because I was incredibly ambitious. And I did have these lofty goals of working with NBA players and, and even as a speaker, I have lofty goals of being on the biggest stages in the world. Sure. So I have to constantly remind myself and constantly insulate myself with people that hold me accountable to the fact of just start where you are, baby. Because when you do that, those things will all come and do time.

Unknown Speaker  10:52  

Yeah, it’s funny, you’re seeing everything that I I internalize as well, as you know, I mean, I had Five minutes with Steve Aoki, the big DJ, he’s like, dude, whether you’re performing in front of 330-300-3000 30,000 star, be that person right there. So and I remember when I started, I was the same way I’d have, I’d go into real estate offices, because that’s my background, I was an agent for 20 years, and being able to go in, I know the business, but there might be only four or five people in there. But if I can touch one of them to level up, it makes all the difference in the world, and people are going to get noticed, you’re going to get noticed from that. And just so happened, one of the people in the class, mommy and daddy was a billionaire here in South Florida that just started saying, Oh, this guy can speak he to do to do to do that’s awesome, man, thank you for saying that start where you are. So what do you think then Allen personally, your strengths are.

Unknown Speaker  11:46  

First is, and I know I’ve just covered this short, it is the care factor. I mean, I find that that is a huge differentiator, I really, truly care about other people, I care about humanity at large, you know, I, I care about how I show up, like, I want to show up as the best version of myself for everything I do, whether I’m doing a podcast with you, or I’m gonna step on stage in a big arena, you know, I care about those I’m in service of so caring is a huge part, I also take a tremendous amount of pride in my preparation. I know I talk a lot in the book about the unseen hours, you know, I want to be fully prepared for every situation that I enter. And one other strength of mine, and you know, is I understand the importance of self care and of balance, like I love my craft, and I love what I do. But I don’t want to be defined as a workaholic, I don’t consider my life a grind. I don’t wake up and grind it out every single day. And I know for some people that want to that’s wonderful, right? But for me, I live a really high quality of life. You know, I’m very amicably divorced, I have a great relationship with my ex, I get plenty of time with my three children whom I love more than anything in the world. And I dedicate time to them, because that’s incredibly important to me. And when it’s time to work, I work when it’s time to play and have leisure than I do that guilt free. And I actually think that is a strength of mine. Because as I’ve highlighted in my next book, which will be out in April called sustain your game, we have to be looking at all of these things in the long term. And I think I’ve learned how to pace myself, still working towards being my best still growing and improving and, and still incredibly ambitious. But I’ve learned to balance it to the point that this flame is not going to burn out anytime soon. You can trust me on that.

Unknown Speaker  13:34  

I love that. There’s so many parts of your book that get you stood out with your three kids and like not letting them win and making sure that they level up, you know, consistently and learn how to lose and win. That’s awesome. So how much do you think you have put it this way? To what extent do you appreciate your own limitations?

Unknown Speaker  13:55  

That’s a fascinating one. That’s actually one of the things that I’ve and I use struggle in a positive way that I’ve really struggled with over these last several years is even though this is what I do for a living, and some people put me in the category of quote unquote, motivational speaker, I readily acknowledged with some introspection and some self awareness that I’ve confined myself with some some limiting beliefs over these years, there have been certain things that when presented to me immediately, my default answer was, Oh, I could never do that. And that’s something that I’ve personally over these last couple of years, had been really cognizant of, and I’m trying to reprogram myself, you know, I’m trying to make sure that that’s not my default that I want to play bigger. I guess the way to summarize that is I’ve imposed some constraints on myself by playing it small in certain areas of my life for many, many years of my life. And I don’t want to do that anymore. You know, when when I see somebody or I read a book or I listen to a podcast of somebody that I really admire and and don’t want to be them But certainly want to emulate their mastery of their craft and their perspective, I see some of these folks. And the old me would say, Man, I could never do that. There’s no way that I could accomplish that. And I really want to rewire that and change that. Because I’m, you know, the only person that can put limiting beliefs on me is made. And I don’t want to be the one to hold myself back.

Unknown Speaker  15:21  

Love it. Love it. Very true. So when you’re working with or when you were working with the, whether it’s the youth or even kind of coming up into the pros, is there and when you start working with them? And was there any good question that you wish they would ask you, but never did?

Unknown Speaker  15:39  

Wow. You know, it’s, it’s, it’s fascinating, because when I look back on many of the high performers that I’ve had a chance to work with, whether it was sport or business, one of the things that they all shared was a genuine and authentic curiosity, like many of the highest performers I’ve ever been around have. Really right. Yeah, absolutely. And some great question. They would ask really, really good questions. And, and that’s always a trait that I’ve tried to emulate. You know, I, I think that our level of success, our level of fulfillment, our level of inner peace, is congruent with the questions were willing to ask. And if you want to get better answers in life, then start asking better questions or start asking them a better people. So yeah, nothing jumps out to me. You know, one of the things I’m so thankful for in my journey is that, you know, having a chance to work with say, a Kevin Durant back when he was in high school, you know, even though he was 15 years old, Katy taught me just as much as I’d like to believe I taught him and a portion of that was was, you know, by the questions they would ask and the behavior that he would model and, and being able to watch how he prepared and the way he approached the unseen hours and his passion and love for the game of basketball. So, you know, even though at the time, I was twice his age, he still had a profound impact on me in the way that he approached things. But you know, that what you just asked me, I know, I didn’t actually answer you was so insightful, but I can’t think of a specific question that I wish someone would have asked me. But I’m glad you just did

Unknown Speaker  17:09  

you know that that’s crazy that you said that. I mean, you opened up my eyes to a couple different things right. Now, with a youth. It’s like, if you want to be that level, you have to have humble curiosity. You have to you can’t go in because it’s the person that goes in thinking they know everything they stall out. And I’ve just seen it, I played a little Russell in a pretty high level, you know, and jujitsu and whatnot. But I stay curious. And I’m humble, and I just always want to learn. That’s awesome, man. Thank you for answering like that. So have you seen the movie Back to the Future? We’re close to same age, I’m sure you have right, let’s get to Lorien with Marty McFly, let’s go back to the double deuce to 22 year old downside, what kind of knowledge nuggets? That’s what we call them here and time to shine today? What kind of knowledge nuggets would you be dropping on the 22 year old Alan to maybe help them shorten his learning curve level upward last through?

Unknown Speaker  17:57  

Well, in full transparency, and in the spirit of everything that you represent. I was pretty hard headed as a 22 year old, I lack I lack the I lack the humility that you just mentioned is so vital, you know. And at 22, I thought that I had a lot more answers than I actually had, you know, now at 45. Not only do I realize how little the 22 year old Alan actually knew, I also realized with great humility, how much more of the 45 year old Alan still has to learn and still needs, you know, to know and to grow. And I say all of these things with a smile, because I don’t say this. to undermine or to devalue, or to diminish my previous self and who I was at younger ages, we all go through these different stages in life. But in addition to that constant, putting limiting beliefs on myself, I was incredibly hard headed, and was not near as open to coaching and direction and mentorship as I am now. And, you know, through some, some more self reflection and introspection, most of that was deep seated insecurity. You know, I felt that at that time that asking questions would show that I don’t know something and showing that I don’t know, something would show that I’m, you know, I’m unworthy, or that I’m not good enough or that I’m less than, so I would try to mask that with this, you know, this, this, this faux confidence and this, you know, almost bravado and that just got in the way of me learning now. That was a stage that I went through. And it allowed me to be on the path that I’m on so I don’t regret it. And I forgiven the 22 year old Alan for being such a knucklehead. Yeah, that was a big part of it. So it’s, it’s funny, I think any advice that I would have been able to give my previous self I wouldn’t even have listened to so you know.

Unknown Speaker  19:50  

That’s awesome. So Alex, how do you why your dash remember that little line in between your incarnation date and your expiration date your life like life and death day, hopefully it’s ways down the road. That little little dash on your tombstone. How do you want that? Remember,

Unknown Speaker  20:04  

I would love for that dash, you know, words and phrases to come up like he cared. He certainly humility, I would love to be tossed in there, which is, of course is an interesting one because it’s, I always feel like, it’s kind of awkward if you label yourself as humble, it’s like, well, that almost, you know, is someone that, that enjoyed life, someone that wanted to make others better. I mean, at my core, I believe my calling is to just fill other people’s buckets, like, that’s what that’s what my job is, mentally, physically, emotionally fill other people’s buckets, I did that in the direct space of basketball as a performance coach for 20 years. And now I try to fill people’s buckets through keynote, speaking and writing books and being on shows like yours, but But at my core, that’s what I feel my purpose is, is to fill other people up. And I would certainly hope that’s part of the the dash, you know, on a personal level on it, man, I appreciate that, you know, on a personal level, I hope, at the very least my three kids would say, you know, I had a present, and compassionate and loving father, who did his very best to pour into us, you know, I’m far from perfect as a parent. And only time will tell the job that I’m doing today with my young children, you know what type of adults they they turn out to be. But if nothing else, I hope my kids know that I’m doing the best that I’m capable of with the tools that I have. So those are just a few things that I hope, you know, at some point, my dash, I love

Unknown Speaker  21:35  

it would be what keeps you up at night down?

Unknown Speaker  21:39  

Well, I highly prioritize and value sleep. And I do a lot of things to make sure that I can get a restful night’s sleep. But as far as the things that are that are constantly in my my mind, I talk in the I talk in raise your game about the performance gap, the gap between what we know we should do and what we actually do on a daily basis. And while I’m incredibly proud that I’ve narrowed several performance gaps in my life in different areas, I’m far from done. I’m still a massive work in progress and still under construction. So I think one of the things that keeps me up is, you know, how can I continue to grow and to evolve, you know, go from the current Allen Stein, Jr. to the desired Allen Stein Jr. But still being enjoying the present moment and still learning to close those gaps. You know, I mean, I’d be lying if I said, I do every single thing in my life, every moment of my life exactly the way I know, I should, you know, because I’m flawed. I’m a human being just like everybody else. But I’m working towards that. But anytime I feel that I have a performance gap. And then I’m not living up to a standard of excellence in any area of my life that I have set for myself. This is not something that anyone else can set for me that I’ve set for myself, if I don’t feel that I’m living up to that standard. That absolutely keeps me up at night until i i start making the changes required to put that into action.

Unknown Speaker  23:02  

Love. Yeah. And so is there. Sleep is something that I’ve ran into a roadblock with pretty recently that I’m working through. And it’s I think a lot of it has to do with I’m, I’m serving, but I’m not doing it from a place where I need to be doing it from so I make the tweaks and that those nights that I tweak it, and I sleep well. So that’s great and enter age sleeps paramount, you know, it just it just is for recovery. So, Alan, what do people misunderstand the most about you?

Unknown Speaker  23:32  

I think one of the biggest misconceptions for those that only know me kind of on a superficial level through podcasts and social media, or maybe even to make me speaking is I’m heavily introverted, you know, people assume, yeah, people assume that I’m naturally extroverted. Now, to clarify, I’m defining that as where I derive my energy from, and I derive my energy, the way I fill my own bucket is through solitude is through alone time is through stillness is through, you know, just being by myself, whether I’m writing or listening to something or working out or going for a run. That’s how I fill my bucket. Being with people being on someone’s podcast or being on stage, drains my bucket. Now I say that with a huge smile, because it is it is the most satisfying type of exhaustion in the world. And it’s how I want to expend my resources, there is nothing better than the exhaustion I feel after several podcast interviews or stepping off stage. Like I love that and I wouldn’t trade that for anything in the world. But then I know that following those things, I have to be in solitude to recharge my batteries like and then show up as my best self. The next time I have to do that. So you know many people I think, just assume because I love being in front of people and I do love talking obviously, they just assume that I’m extroverted. But I could promise if you held a big event, and I came down to Jupiter, Florida and you were having kind of a networking event or a cocktail hour, you would most likely see me kind of standing in the corner Just quietly observing everyone I’m not. I’m not using the small talk. I’m not huge into walking up and making introductions, I kind of sit back in my stillness and just observe. And now if you were kind enough to introduce me to someone, I’d be very gracious. I can certainly hold my own in a conversation and I’m incredibly social. I’m not anti social by any means, right? Yeah, I definitely have very high introverted tendencies.

Unknown Speaker  25:25  

That that’s amazing. I mean, it’s like, you know, our friend Kate Ackman has what she calls her sitting stare time, right, where she’s just really locked in. So basically, you’re almost live in game seven. Every time I speak, man, like you or I get on a podcast. It’s like you want to shine so much, but you need that recharge time, as well. They intro spective and that thank you for being honest with that, brother. So what are three things let’s let’s not include anything with our cell phones, our computers or tablets, anything electronic? What are three things Elon can’t live without?

Unknown Speaker  26:00  

Well, I’m actually I wouldn’t put myself in a category of being a minimalist. Now, I’m probably not to the degree that maybe you’ve seen some of the documentaries, I watched the minimalist documentary. And this guy, I think, like 12 possessions in that included clothes that I mean, it was not to that degree. But outside of my office here where I am, where I actually have a really robust bookshelf, and you can see the pictures behind me. And I have lots of mementos and memorabilia from some experiences that I’ve had. Those things are really important to me. I mean, I’ve got things, you know that my something my daughter made, and arts and crafts when she was in kindergarten, to a ball sign to me from Chris Paul, like I have a lot of this stuff in my office. And this stuff is very meaningful to me. Not because of any type of extrinsic value, but because it reminds me of that time in place where I was with someone having a great experience. But if you were to step outside of my office, the rest of my apartment is pretty barren. Like I just don’t have a lot of stuff. So I’m pretty much a minimalist. So you know, my my kids, absolutely family. Yeah, with my kids. And really good food, and travel are things that I don’t think I’d want to live without. I mean, I I’m quite a foodie, I love really good food. In fact, that’s probably my biggest expenditure every month is not on material items. watches or cars

Unknown Speaker  27:21  

include dude, yeah, good food. I say that out. I’m like, I I drive. I’m from Detroit, you know, so I drive an American car I have to, you know, also get disowned by my peeps up north. I live in a nice apartment style in Jupiter, Florida. But do when I eat out? I go good. And when I travel, I mean, I’m 61 to 50 I have to have first class. So it’s like I you know, other than those two things, I’m the same way man. I mean, you give me my community or my family, my fiance and my people, you know, stitch, you know, my paddleboard buddies, you know, those are the three things that I need Well, chicken wings to I do like, I’m a chicken wing snob. But yeah,

Unknown Speaker  28:00  

this mindset of to me, and this, again, is another shift from the previous Alan to the current Elon was I was much more infatuated with material items and external validation, then I thought that having a certain income, or living in a certain place or driving a certain thing, or wearing certain things would make me feel better about myself, once again, that’s coming from a deep rooted insecurity that I’m not enough alone. So I’ve got to masquerade with all of these nice trimmings to make myself feel better. Right. And it never, it never did that. And I don’t think it ever will. So I’ve, I’ve really tried to detach from external validation and feeling the need to have these things. And instead, I work really hard for my money and I choose to pour my money into my children into travel into food into experiences. Sure. And I found that so far to be very fulfilling.

Unknown Speaker  28:49  

Love it, love it. And it’s minimalist, but it’s not and I love that you bring that brought it up like that. So what is Ellen’s definition of a life well lived

Unknown Speaker  29:04  

doing what you love with people that you love, in service of others, I think it’s kind of at the epicenter of Sure. I think a life well lived is one where and I heard this the other day, this is not an Allen Stein Jr. Original, I believe Peter crone came up with this, but he said, We can be works in progress and masterpieces simultaneously. Like it’s okay to be proud of, and content and I use that in a very favorable way with who you are at present, while still striving to become more, but those two things can coexist. It doesn’t have to be I’m no good now, I’ll be happy when I become this person. Journey, baby. Yeah. And also be, you know, I’m proud of what I’ve done, but I ain’t done yet. And they’re still I want to continue to evolve and grow and improve. So I think that perspective is part of a life well live. We know for me I place a huge emphasis on being in the present moment, you know, not getting too distracted by the past. Which is funny because I know I’ve referenced my previous self like a dozen times but not not distracted by the past and not anxious about the future. But just learning to embrace where you are at this moment and embrace the present moment. Love

Unknown Speaker  30:18  

that you’re saying that because, like, tomorrow’s awesome memory is right now, man. You know what I’m saying? It’s like right now is I’m blessed to be here. And a lot of people you know, stand with one foot in the future one foot in the past and they pee on the present, man. It’s like Dude, that’s why I even named my company time to shine today. Like stay now. Joy, the journey level up throughout the time because right now is tomorrow’s memory and matters will make great and time to shine today. Podcast versus squad. We are back we have my guy Allen Stein. I’m blessed. Beyond all measuring. I know you guys hear me talk about him all the time. But now we’re gonna get into some fun stuff for me and Alan can easily talk an hour on each one of these questions. But Alan, you got five seconds with no explanations. And each one of them can be answered that way. You ready to level up brother?

Unknown Speaker  31:05  

He’ll you got it, brother.

Unknown Speaker  31:06  

Let’s do it. Alan, what is the best leveling up advice you’ve ever received?

Unknown Speaker  31:12  

Find what you’re good at. Find what you love. Find where those two things intersect.

Unknown Speaker  31:16  

share one of your personal habits that contributes to your success.

Unknown Speaker  31:20  

I make my bed every single morning and haven’t missed a day and close to 30 years

Unknown Speaker  31:24  

of it. Love it. My boy Admiral macadam II. All right, my man. So other than your own website, which is Allen Stein jr.com. And of course time to shine today that kind of shameless plug, what website does anyone go to to level up?

Unknown Speaker  31:38  

I mean, I’m fairly active on social media, and I’ve gotten rid of the social apps on my phone, so I only use them on my laptop. But I do use social media as a source to connect and to engage with others. So any of the major social platforms Sorry, that was longer than five No, you’re

Unknown Speaker  31:52  

fine brother. You see me walking down the street like Fergie man he just using he’s not Freemason is doldrums other than raise your game? What book or sustain your game? What book?

Unknown Speaker  32:02  

are you handing me? Atomic habits by James clear,

Unknown Speaker  32:05  

good pick right there. What’s your most commonly used emoji when you’re taxed? The heart? Love it. Any nicknames growing up?

Unknown Speaker  32:16  

No, nothing that ever stuck.

Unknown Speaker  32:17  

Got it? What was your New Year’s resolution?

Unknown Speaker  32:21  

I’m not making a new year’s resolutions i i make New Year’s resolutions whenever I need them. So I’ll make the end of July if necessary. I always I have unbridled optimism towards a new year and a new beginning. But I’m not making a New Year’s resolution either.

Unknown Speaker  32:35  

I just was curious, chess or checkers.

Unknown Speaker  32:39  

I don’t even know how to play chess. So it has to meet

Unknown Speaker  32:40  

your favorite charity organization like to give your time or money to.

Unknown Speaker  32:46  

My parents both live in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. And they both volunteer full time for an organization called fostering hope, which provides school supplies and clothes for foster kids in the greater South Carolina area. Awesome.

Unknown Speaker  32:56  

Good deal. And you can elaborate on this one. But what is the best decade of music 6070s 80s and 90s.

Unknown Speaker  33:06  

I’m an old school hip hop guy. So it’d be hard for me to go away from the 90s but there are certainly some classics in the 80s that that both make me move my body and make me laugh at the same time. out there on the floor. 80s and 90s

Unknown Speaker  33:21  

Yeah, I’ve just moved to me growing up. I graduated 9090 from high school. So with me growing up the 80s was my thing. Big hair don’t care. You had the early wrap of the Run DMC and LL Cool J and then you know you had your crew motley crew or the cure. It’s like so many invasions happened during the 80s. So I’m so blessed a grown up in man.

Unknown Speaker  33:40  

No, it’s gonna cool. And I don’t mean this is a shameless plug versus your game. But the reason that I wrote that was I’ve been fascinated by people that have been able to perform an incredibly high level for long periods of time, like pneumonia. Yeah, still, what they do. And one of my fascinations began with what you just said, when I look back at some of the, the musical artists in between, in particular, excuse me, that were in the 80s and 90s that are still relevant today. 30 and 40 years later, it just absolutely blows my mind,

Unknown Speaker  34:14  

bro, look at the hooks from a lot of songs. Like, you know, you know, there was a song called Take on me. I mean, that’s pimples book, you know, for who’s like there’s so many books from the 80s. Yeah, that are like today. It’s just funny. I would love to bend in Michael Jordan’s or Patrick Ewing’s and Charles Barkley of headphones back in 92, in Barcelona, and see what’s in the headphones now, and you’re gonna hear a lot of the same stuff. Just from the hooks, dude, you don’t I’m saying? Oh, yeah.

Unknown Speaker  34:44  

even think about you know, when I started listening to gangsta rap, you know, old school. NWA came on the scene. You know, that was in 1988. Yeah, and you’re fast forward to almost 2022 and two members of that group Dr. Dre and ice cube are every bit as powerful, influential and in the throes of culture today, as they were back when I was in middle school. Yes,

Unknown Speaker  35:08  

these are the best to give a beats a shout out these are the best headphones ever.

Unknown Speaker  35:15  

Just think of what that takes to continue to be right now the the pivots or as you like to say, Shiv, it’s different industries and doing different things like that is is mind boggling to me. Someone can maintain that level of success and influence in arguably the toughest industry. For 40 years, it’s

Unknown Speaker  35:37  

yeah, you know, if you seen The Defiant Ones, did you watch that die twice, like with Jimmy IV, like Jimmy IV is if anyone’s gives me a round table that I want to sit with, you know, you know, obviously I got my Kobe Bryant there. That’s precisely why I didn’t meet him in 2004 Because I would see test number one realtor pretty much in the state of Michigan at the time when we kicked his butt and I got to talk some trash Oh, but I love always to him at my roundtable But Jimmy Ivan’s there, you know, like what he did with the people that he did it with and got people to where they are. It’s incredible, and like, like Dre stands on his shoulders, you know, didn’t and he’s still here, you know, just awesome, man. Awesome. So, Ellen, how can we find your brother

Unknown Speaker  36:21  

we mentioned the website before Allen Stein Jr. Calm is kind of the hub for everything I have going on. If someone’s interested in having me speak to their team or organization, that’s the place to go. I also have a ancillary site called stronger team comm where there’s more information on the book and the podcasts and some of the things I have cooking and then I’m very easily found at Allen Stein Jr. on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn I love engaging with folks so anyone listening if what Scott and I talked about hit a nerve please drop me a DM start some some some dialogue with would love to engage

Unknown Speaker  36:56  

I love it and in folks that it’s not it’s actually an E before I not an I before E in his name so it’s Alan l a n s t i n Jr calm and that will be in the show notes. Along with a lot of other awesome stuff. We’re gonna have a book giveaway also for raise your game. And what I’d like to do it is I would love to purchase the books Alan and maybe if you could just Hancock them to the to the winner. And maybe LM out and I can Venmo you the money or you know for the the shipping or whatever. If you want to take care of the shipping either way, we’ll we’ll make it happen. But to the first person that that that posts, whether it’s Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, anything raise your game, then they’re going to get the free book and I can’t wait to be able to ship that out to you. I got a stack of a mobi here as well, that I give out to my clients in l do me one last favor, please and leave us with one last Knowledge Nugget you want us to take with us internalize and take action.

Unknown Speaker  37:54  

I’m going to give you a reframing tool that’s been really helpful for me. And I hope this puts a nice red bow tie on everything that we’ve been talking about. And I thoroughly enjoyed this discussion. My friend, I mentioned that I’m 45 years old, I have a crystal clear vision of the man that I hope to be at 65 years old, so 20 years into the future. For lack of too much clarity or getting too granular. I hope the 65 year old Allen is physically mentally and emotionally fit. I hope the 65 year old Allen has a very deep connection with his children and his family and friends. I hope the 65 year old Allen at that time is doing work he considers meaningful and in service of others. Now that I have that vision of the man that I want to become every single decision I make in my life at present, I run through the filter of is this going to take me closer to becoming that guy? Or is this going to take me further away? From who I follow on Instagram to what I watch on Netflix to what I eat for breakfast? I ask, is this going to take me closer to being that guy? Or is it going to take me further away. And my goal every single day is to make as many decisions as possible. That get me closer to being that guy now. I’m not aiming for perfection, you know, huge spoiler alert. I’m not perfect. I’m not batting 1000. But I know that if most of the decisions that I make are in alignment with becoming that guy, then that is who I will evolve to be and the most powerful question I think any of us can ask before we put our head on our pillow at night is say excuse me, I just traded 24 hours of my life for the progress that I made today. Am I happy with that trade? Say you’re happy with that trade? Then I wish you have a restful night’s sleep.

Unknown Speaker  39:36  

In squad we literally you know I kept Alan out a little bit longer 30 minutes and I’m gonna thank him in advance but and we literally had a free masterclass from my good friend Alan here who knew and had an identical identifiable passion. You know, his since he was young, you know, he started with the younger, up and coming crowd of boys and girls and help them level up you know key to success and inner peace is where that connects. I didn’t say that right? But just go back and listen to what he said, you know, he’ll tell you a good coach has a desire to serve as a care factor cares for himself, his craft and his vision. You know, he wants you to start where you are, have mentors and like we like to say, Get you’re asking gear and ask questions were needed, stay humble, and stay curious and embrace your your role right now. Because you will get noticed and you will level up, you know, he’s gonna be remembered as someone really the self care and balance or like, I like to say harmony, but balance and harmony are just awesome and instrumental. You know, he’s gonna be someone that, you know, he knows he played small at the start, but he used and he started where he was, and kept on leveling up to where he is now. He’s we remembered as someone that made across home plate, little bumped and bruise, but he leveled up the masses and he filled other people’s buckets. You know, he wants you to have a clear vision of where you’re going at a more advanced age. And if God’s it’s God’s plan to keep you alive that long, that every decision that you make should be run through that filter. To get you to that person that you desire to be in. I am a better person for knowing Alan, this world’s a better place for having a breathing air on it. He levels up his healthy levels up as well. He’s passionate yet hungry, humble. He’s earned his varsity letter now that he needs one your time to shine today but thank you so much for coming on. Man. I love your guts. And I can’t wait to hopefully collaborate with the future sometime brother.

Unknown Speaker  41:33  

Oh my goodness pleasure was all mine. This was so much fun. I appreciate your work and your support and would would absolutely love to collaborate.

Unknown Speaker  41:39  

Awesome. Have a great day, bro. Hey, thanks so much for listening to this episode of time to shine today podcast. proudly brought to you by Sutter in New Jersey real estate real estate excellence who can be reached at 561-249-7266 and online at www dot Sutter in nugent.com. If you’re a business owner or professional who would like to be interviewed on top to shine today, please visit time to shine today.com Flash gust. If you liked this episode, please subscribe on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, I Heart Radio or wherever you get your podcasts. There’s a link in the show notes to our website. Also there you will see a recommended resources. We hope that you will support our show by supporting them. If you like what you’ve been listening to, it’d be great if you could just give us a five star rating and tell your friends to subscribe while you’re at it. I’m your host Scott Ferguson. And until next time, let’s level up it’s our time to shine

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