Some people are born with an insane amount of talent and somehow don't succeed. Others are born with little talent, but somehow find a way to become crazy successful. So what separates the two? No one knows for sure, but continue reading to discover at least one key attribute to being successful.


The Celtics play at home tonight against the Knicks.  Game time is 8:00 p.m. That means Ray Allen will enter the building around 4:30 p.m. so that he can start shooting by 5:00 p.m. Check out Ray 3 hours before a playoff game two years ago. Before EVERY game he shoots at least five shots from 25 spots (corner, wing, top, wing, corner and varying distances) and shoots at least 25 free throws. That's a minimum of 150 shots before EVERY game. That consistency and pre-game routine has allowed Allen to make over 2700 3s in his career and still be considered one of the Top 5 shooters in the league at the age of 37.

Two of his paintings have sold for over $100M each and more of his paintings have been stolen than any other painter. As impressive as that is, what's just as impressive is that seven days a week, Pablo Picasso woke up at 10 a.m., ate breakfast, and then painted until 10 p.m. He would take a break for dinner and then paint again until 2 a.m. He would go to sleep and do it all over again, a la GroundHog Day with Bill Murray. That consistent work ethic and scheduled routine allowed him to produce over 50,000 pieces of art in his lifetime.

At the age of ten, he requested a visit to the New York Stock Exchange. At the age of 11, he bought his first stocks. He filled out his first tax return at the age of 14 and by the time he was a sophomore in high school he had a successful pinball business. With a net worth of $46B, Warren Buffett is currently the 2nd richest person in in the US. He lives in the same house he bought over 50 years ago, reads the same business magazines he did 20 years ago and eats a prime rib with a coke float from Piccolo's once a week. Whether it's his business decisions or his weekly schedule, Buffett is consistent with his routine.


Coaches always tell players to have the same routine before their free throws. Most players routinely high five their teammates after their first free throw (make or miss). Check out how serious James Harden takes this advice in a recent game against the Miami Heat in which no one was on the free throw line.

Successful people in all different fields have a routine. The key is finding a routine that works for you and is something you can do consistently to perfect your craft.

"Sometimes it ain't about being the most talented. Sometimes it ain't about being the smartest. Sometimes it's not even about working the hardest. Sometimes it's just about consistency....Day after day, play after play, minute after minute." Eric Thomas, Hip Hop Preacher

Lee Miller
National Director
Elite Hoops/NIKE Basketball Camps
"Release Your Potential"