by the age of 16 I already knew exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up a
what I wanted to be when I grew up a
what I wanted to be when I grew up a professional basketball player so going
professional basketball player so going
professional basketball player so going into my final year of high school I knew
into my final year of high school I knew
into my final year of high school I knew this would be an important launching pad
this would be an important launching pad
this would be an important launching pad for the rest of my life so I worked
for the rest of my life so I worked
for the rest of my life so I worked really hard on my game that summer and
really hard on my game that summer and
really hard on my game that summer and by the end of my senior season all my
by the end of my senior season all my
by the end of my senior season all my work and paid off by the end of that
work and paid off by the end of that
work and paid off by the end of that year through 25 games all of my
year through 25 games all of my
year through 25 games all of my teammates coaches even my opponents knew
teammates coaches even my opponents knew
teammates coaches even my opponents knew you could count on Dre for about 20
you could count on Dre for about 20
you could count on Dre for about 20 points contribution that’s not Kobe
points contribution that’s not Kobe
points contribution that’s not Kobe Bryant or Steph Curry numbers but it’s a
Bryant or Steph Curry numbers but it’s a
Bryant or Steph Curry numbers but it’s a solid contribution but my 20 points
solid contribution but my 20 points
solid contribution but my 20 points weren’t my per game average I scored 20
weren’t my per game average I scored 20
weren’t my per game average I scored 20 points all season put together in total
points all season put together in total
points all season put together in total now any reasonable logical person would
now any reasonable logical person would
now any reasonable logical person would think okay kid you’re going to be
think okay kid you’re going to be
think okay kid you’re going to be successful at something but it ain’t
successful at something but it ain’t
successful at something but it ain’t gonna be basketball five years rated to
gonna be basketball five years rated to
gonna be basketball five years rated to find the odds I wasn’t counting with the
find the odds I wasn’t counting with the
find the odds I wasn’t counting with the windiest on my first pro basketball
windiest on my first pro basketball
windiest on my first pro basketball contract now if everything had gone
contract now if everything had gone
contract now if everything had gone perfect even from that point forward I
perfect even from that point forward I
perfect even from that point forward I wouldn’t be standing up here today but
wouldn’t be standing up here today but
wouldn’t be standing up here today but real life as they say tends to alter the
real life as they say tends to alter the
real life as they say tends to alter the lab test over the next nine years of a
lab test over the next nine years of a
lab test over the next nine years of a very up-and-down career while I did get
very up-and-down career while I did get
very up-and-down career while I did get to see and play in places like Kaunas
to see and play in places like Kaunas
to see and play in places like Kaunas Lithuania herceg novi Montenegro and
Lithuania herceg novi Montenegro and
Lithuania herceg novi Montenegro and pull of Croatia
pull of Croatia
pull of Croatia I also saw places like the stockroom of
I also saw places like the stockroom of
I also saw places like the stockroom of a supermarket where I work the overnight
a supermarket where I work the overnight
a supermarket where I work the overnight shift the surprisingly busy
shift the surprisingly busy
shift the surprisingly busy telemarketing company you ever get those
telemarketing company you ever get those
telemarketing company you ever get those letters in the middle to say
letters in the middle to say
letters in the middle to say congratulations you’re a little win ten
congratulations you’re a little win ten
congratulations you’re a little win ten million dollars just doubters 1-800
million dollars just doubters 1-800
million dollars just doubters 1-800 number to verify your injury stuff we
number to verify your injury stuff we
number to verify your injury stuff we throw away his junk mail well you’d be
throw away his junk mail well you’d be
throw away his junk mail well you’d be surprised how many people call also pay
surprised how many people call also pay
surprised how many people call also pay for a traveling team right here in the
for a traveling team right here in the
for a traveling team right here in the United States where we took eight-hour
United States where we took eight-hour
United States where we took eight-hour road trips in between games riding in
road trips in between games riding in
road trips in between games riding in what they claim to be a 15 passenger van
what they claim to be a 15 passenger van
what they claim to be a 15 passenger van now I’m six feet four inches tall
now I’m six feet four inches tall
now I’m six feet four inches tall you can fit 15 to million one of those
you can fit 15 to million one of those
you can fit 15 to million one of those vans I have a prize for you backstage
vans I have a prize for you backstage
vans I have a prize for you backstage about three to four years into what I
about three to four years into what I
about three to four years into what I was struggling to keep together and call
was struggling to keep together and call
was struggling to keep together and call a career I realized I wasn’t getting the
a career I realized I wasn’t getting the
a career I realized I wasn’t getting the type of return on investment that I
type of return on investment that I
type of return on investment that I wanted to get from basketball
wanted to get from basketball
wanted to get from basketball and I needed to get more control one
and I needed to get more control one
and I needed to get more control one thing I have been doing at that point
thing I have been doing at that point
thing I have been doing at that point was publishing to this still pretty new
was publishing to this still pretty new
was publishing to this still pretty new website called youtube.com they’re on
website called youtube.com they’re on
website called youtube.com they’re on YouTube I found an audience of athletes
YouTube I found an audience of athletes
YouTube I found an audience of athletes who wanted to learn how to work on their
who wanted to learn how to work on their
who wanted to learn how to work on their games both civic both physically and
games both civic both physically and
games both civic both physically and mentally when it came to basketball and
mentally when it came to basketball and
mentally when it came to basketball and life but looking at YouTube I ran into
life but looking at YouTube I ran into
life but looking at YouTube I ran into the same issue I did in basketball was
the same issue I did in basketball was
the same issue I did in basketball was that I didn’t own the platform I didn’t
that I didn’t own the platform I didn’t
that I didn’t own the platform I didn’t control how things went or when I got to
control how things went or when I got to
control how things went or when I got to do it so I needed another option at the
do it so I needed another option at the
do it so I needed another option at the same time I’ve been writing about my
same time I’ve been writing about my
same time I’ve been writing about my experiences places I had been things I
experiences places I had been things I
experiences places I had been things I was going through the good the bad and
was going through the good the bad and
was going through the good the bad and the ugly and it was there that I ran
the ugly and it was there that I ran
the ugly and it was there that I ran into the audience that led to me giving
into the audience that led to me giving
into the audience that led to me giving his talk these were the athletes who
his talk these were the athletes who
his talk these were the athletes who were existed in this large grey area of
were existed in this large grey area of
were existed in this large grey area of professional sports where they weren’t
professional sports where they weren’t
professional sports where they weren’t necessarily looking for a skill help
necessarily looking for a skill help
necessarily looking for a skill help they knew how to play they knew they
they knew how to play they knew they
they knew how to play they knew they were good at what they did but at the
were good at what they did but at the
were good at what they did but at the same time they weren’t able to find jobs
same time they weren’t able to find jobs
same time they weren’t able to find jobs they couldn’t get a contract they
they couldn’t get a contract they
they couldn’t get a contract they weren’t getting a return on investment
weren’t getting a return on investment
weren’t getting a return on investment that they expected from all the years
that they expected from all the years
that they expected from all the years they put into the game my aim today is
they put into the game my aim today is
they put into the game my aim today is to help any athlete any artist
to help any athlete any artist
to help any athlete any artist struggling to sell their work any
struggling to sell their work any
struggling to sell their work any student trying to figure out what to do
student trying to figure out what to do
student trying to figure out what to do with their lives any person who’s
with their lives any person who’s
with their lives any person who’s invested a lot of time into anything to
invested a lot of time into anything to
invested a lot of time into anything to guarantee a return on that investment
guarantee a return on that investment
guarantee a return on that investment now if you think about someone taking
now if you think about someone taking
now if you think about someone taking actions to become a professional athlete
actions to become a professional athlete
actions to become a professional athlete in any sport usually by that point
in any sport usually by that point
in any sport usually by that point they’ve invested somewhere between ten
they’ve invested somewhere between ten
they’ve invested somewhere between ten and fifteen years into the game but the
and fifteen years into the game but the
and fifteen years into the game but the odds of anymore making it haven’t
odds of anymore making it haven’t
odds of anymore making it haven’t changed at all over the last 50 years
changed at all over the last 50 years
changed at all over the last 50 years and since only so many of us can become
and since only so many of us can become
and since only so many of us can become trainers coaches or analysts what
trainers coaches or analysts what
trainers coaches or analysts what happens to the athlete who has put all
happens to the athlete who has put all
happens to the athlete who has put all this time in but can’t get any return on
this time in but can’t get any return on
this time in but can’t get any return on that investment well I’m an example of
that investment well I’m an example of
that investment well I’m an example of what happens I’ll tell you being an
what happens I’ll tell you being an
what happens I’ll tell you being an assistant manager of footlocker happens
assistant manager of footlocker happens
assistant manager of footlocker happens some of the gym memberships at Bally
some of the gym memberships at Bally
some of the gym memberships at Bally Total Fitness happens that overnight
Total Fitness happens that overnight
Total Fitness happens that overnight shift at the supermarket happens that’s
shift at the supermarket happens that’s
shift at the supermarket happens that’s how a marketing job happens in other
how a marketing job happens in other
how a marketing job happens in other words you take your 15 years of
words you take your 15 years of
words you take your 15 years of investment and you put it on the shelf
investment and you put it on the shelf
investment and you put it on the shelf no pun intended and you go do something
no pun intended and you go do something
no pun intended and you go do something else and pay the bills
else and pay the bills
else and pay the bills the essential question I want to answer
the essential question I want to answer
the essential question I want to answer here today is how can any person
here today is how can any person
here today is how can any person guarantee a return a way that they can
guarantee a return a way that they can
guarantee a return a way that they can capitalize on their experience even when
capitalize on their experience even when
capitalize on their experience even when the experiences didn’t go the way you
the experiences didn’t go the way you
the experiences didn’t go the way you thought they would the answer is a
thought they would the answer is a
thought they would the answer is a simple four-step process step number one
simple four-step process step number one
simple four-step process step number one is understanding that all the bad stuff
is understanding that all the bad stuff
is understanding that all the bad stuff is actually the good stuff my experience
is actually the good stuff my experience
is actually the good stuff my experience in basketball
in basketball
in basketball long story short was that I put all this
long story short was that I put all this
long story short was that I put all this time in and I wasn’t getting the return
time in and I wasn’t getting the return
time in and I wasn’t getting the return on investment but going through those
on investment but going through those
on investment but going through those experiences is how I picked up one and
experiences is how I picked up one and
experiences is how I picked up one and learned my present-day expertise for
learned my present-day expertise for
learned my present-day expertise for example when I first started playing
example when I first started playing
example when I first started playing basketball there was no one around to
basketball there was no one around to
basketball there was no one around to teach me I was 14 years old no one in
teach me I was 14 years old no one in
teach me I was 14 years old no one in the neighborhood took me under their
the neighborhood took me under their
the neighborhood took me under their wing my father’s 5 foot 9 he couldn’t
wing my father’s 5 foot 9 he couldn’t
wing my father’s 5 foot 9 he couldn’t teach me how to play basketball I
teach me how to play basketball I
teach me how to play basketball I decided that if I just went to the park
decided that if I just went to the park
decided that if I just went to the park during the daytime the Philadelphia
during the daytime the Philadelphia
during the daytime the Philadelphia where I’m from when it’s kind of too hot
where I’m from when it’s kind of too hot
where I’m from when it’s kind of too hot in the summer for anyone to be out on
in the summer for anyone to be out on
in the summer for anyone to be out on that blacktop and just practice more
that blacktop and just practice more
that blacktop and just practice more than everybody else maybe I could catch
than everybody else maybe I could catch
than everybody else maybe I could catch up to all the players who were ahead of
up to all the players who were ahead of
up to all the players who were ahead of me now mind you this is the mid-90s so
me now mind you this is the mid-90s so
me now mind you this is the mid-90s so there’s no blogs that tells me this is
there’s no blogs that tells me this is
there’s no blogs that tells me this is gonna work there’s no YouTube video I
gonna work there’s no YouTube video I
gonna work there’s no YouTube video I can use as an example this was just a
can use as an example this was just a
can use as an example this was just a random idea
random idea
random idea and over time it started to work for me
and over time it started to work for me
and over time it started to work for me through that experience and many others
through that experience and many others
through that experience and many others I learned discipline when I got out of
I learned discipline when I got out of
I learned discipline when I got out of college and I wanted to become a
college and I wanted to become a
college and I wanted to become a professional athlete nobody knew who I
professional athlete nobody knew who I
professional athlete nobody knew who I was so I needed to go somewhere and get
was so I needed to go somewhere and get
was so I needed to go somewhere and get myself seen I attended what we know as
myself seen I attended what we know as
myself seen I attended what we know as an exposure camp for those you don’t
an exposure camp for those you don’t
an exposure camp for those you don’t know what that is think of a job fair
know what that is think of a job fair
know what that is think of a job fair but it’s for athletes so instead of
but it’s for athletes so instead of
but it’s for athletes so instead of wearing a suit and handing out your
wearing a suit and handing out your
wearing a suit and handing out your resume you wear a pair of sneakers and
resume you wear a pair of sneakers and
resume you wear a pair of sneakers and you play your sport in front of an
you play your sport in front of an
you play your sport in front of an audience of decision-makers agents
audience of decision-makers agents
audience of decision-makers agents coaches Scouts people who can help move
coaches Scouts people who can help move
coaches Scouts people who can help move you forward in your career about a few
you forward in your career about a few
you forward in your career about a few minutes maybe three to five minutes into
minutes maybe three to five minutes into
minutes maybe three to five minutes into the first game of that exposure camp
the first game of that exposure camp
the first game of that exposure camp that I was playing in there was a
that I was playing in there was a
that I was playing in there was a timeout and I’ve been doing a whole
timeout and I’ve been doing a whole
timeout and I’ve been doing a whole bunch of nothing out there on the court
bunch of nothing out there on the court
bunch of nothing out there on the court now instead of listening to the coach
now instead of listening to the coach
now instead of listening to the coach during the timeout I had a conversation
during the timeout I had a conversation
during the timeout I had a conversation with myself I said Dre you invested your
with myself I said Dre you invested your
with myself I said Dre you invested your last 250 dollars to come to this
last 250 dollars to come to this
last 250 dollars to come to this exposure again you literally cannot
exposure again you literally cannot
exposure again you literally cannot afford to leave here having done nothing
afford to leave here having done nothing
afford to leave here having done nothing you need to get out there get aggressive
you need to get out there get aggressive
you need to get out there get aggressive do something do something
do something do something
do something do something it makes you stand out here because you
it makes you stand out here because you
it makes you stand out here because you won’t get another shot at this if you
won’t get another shot at this if you
won’t get another shot at this if you blow this opportunity well I took my own
blow this opportunity well I took my own
blow this opportunity well I took my own advice went out there played a lot
advice went out there played a lot
advice went out there played a lot harder played a lot better and my
harder played a lot better and my
harder played a lot better and my performance at that exposure can’t
performance at that exposure can’t
performance at that exposure can’t jump-started my career that experience
jump-started my career that experience
jump-started my career that experience was the first of many to taught me
was the first of many to taught me
was the first of many to taught me confidence now month after that exposure
confidence now month after that exposure
confidence now month after that exposure camp I was back home and in the middle I
camp I was back home and in the middle I
camp I was back home and in the middle I received what I had actually been
received what I had actually been
received what I had actually been waiting for which was the game film the
waiting for which was the game film the
waiting for which was the game film the footage from this exposure can and it
footage from this exposure can and it
footage from this exposure can and it existed on what we knew back then is a
existed on what we knew back then is a
existed on what we knew back then is a VHS tape I went online and I called or
VHS tape I went online and I called or
VHS tape I went online and I called or emailed every pro basketball agent I
emailed every pro basketball agent I
emailed every pro basketball agent I could find to try to get wanted them to
could find to try to get wanted them to
could find to try to get wanted them to take me on as a client to represent me
take me on as a client to represent me
take me on as a client to represent me to these international teams who could
to these international teams who could
to these international teams who could possibly son well one of those agents
possibly son well one of those agents
possibly son well one of those agents took me on he’s the one who helped get
took me on he’s the one who helped get
took me on he’s the one who helped get me to Lithuania to start my career that
me to Lithuania to start my career that
me to Lithuania to start my career that experience taught me personal initiative
experience taught me personal initiative
experience taught me personal initiative taking control of a situation and making
taking control of a situation and making
taking control of a situation and making things happen instead of waiting for
things happen instead of waiting for
things happen instead of waiting for them to happen now a few years after
them to happen now a few years after
them to happen now a few years after that I just come home for the summer
that I just come home for the summer
that I just come home for the summer from playing in Montenegro I had a brand
from playing in Montenegro I had a brand
from playing in Montenegro I had a brand new agent at this time this guy had a
new agent at this time this guy had a
new agent at this time this guy had a bigger base of clients more crowded
bigger base of clients more crowded
bigger base of clients more crowded scenes and I had just played and I had
scenes and I had just played and I had
scenes and I had just played and I had some new game footage now this was on a
some new game footage now this was on a
some new game footage now this was on a DVD I figured all I need to do that
DVD I figured all I need to do that
DVD I figured all I need to do that summer was work on my game really hard
summer was work on my game really hard
summer was work on my game really hard and just sitting waiting for the phone
and just sitting waiting for the phone
and just sitting waiting for the phone to ring
to ring
to ring well August September October went by
well August September October went by
well August September October went by phone didn’t ring and for many years I
phone didn’t ring and for many years I
phone didn’t ring and for many years I hated those three months out of the year
hated those three months out of the year
hated those three months out of the year here’s why that’s the time of year when
here’s why that’s the time of year when
here’s why that’s the time of year when professional basketball teams convene
professional basketball teams convene
professional basketball teams convene training camp starts and you start
training camp starts and you start
training camp starts and you start practicing me playing I spent too many
practicing me playing I spent too many
practicing me playing I spent too many years during those months unsigned not
years during those months unsigned not
years during those months unsigned not knowing when I was going to be employed
knowing when I was going to be employed
knowing when I was going to be employed again thankfully I like those months
again thankfully I like those months
again thankfully I like those months again but through those situations I
again but through those situations I
again but through those situations I learned the skill of mental toughness
learned the skill of mental toughness
learned the skill of mental toughness now what’s the challenge with us looking
now what’s the challenge with us looking
now what’s the challenge with us looking at the bad experiences we go through and
at the bad experiences we go through and
at the bad experiences we go through and actually getting something out of them
actually getting something out of them
actually getting something out of them I’ll tell you what it is we think that
I’ll tell you what it is we think that
I’ll tell you what it is we think that if people are going to respect us and be
if people are going to respect us and be
if people are going to respect us and be impressed by us and admire us we need to
impressed by us and admire us we need to
impressed by us and admire us we need to tell them about our successes our
tell them about our successes our
tell them about our successes our achievements and the thing is that’s
achievements and the thing is that’s
achievements and the thing is that’s true but if you’re going to help other
true but if you’re going to help other
true but if you’re going to help other people and get some return
people and get some return
people and get some return your own investment through helping
your own investment through helping
your own investment through helping those people you need more than to
those people you need more than to
those people you need more than to impress people see if I could sit here
impress people see if I could sit here
impress people see if I could sit here and tell you stand here and tell you
and tell you stand here and tell you
and tell you stand here and tell you that I started going to become a
that I started going to become a
that I started going to become a professional athlete and I did it
professional athlete and I did it
professional athlete and I did it you may respect that maybe even admire
you may respect that maybe even admire
you may respect that maybe even admire it but 99 out of 100 people cannot
it but 99 out of 100 people cannot
it but 99 out of 100 people cannot relate today but if I tell you I set a
relate today but if I tell you I set a
relate today but if I tell you I set a goal to become this and despite all the
goal to become this and despite all the
goal to become this and despite all the time I put into it it just wasn’t giving
time I put into it it just wasn’t giving
time I put into it it just wasn’t giving me the return that I thought I would get
me the return that I thought I would get
me the return that I thought I would get everyone can relate to that the point
everyone can relate to that the point
everyone can relate to that the point you need to take away from your bad
you need to take away from your bad
you need to take away from your bad experiences in life is that we respect
experiences in life is that we respect
experiences in life is that we respect your successes but we relate to your
your successes but we relate to your
your successes but we relate to your failures step number 2 analysis when I
failures step number 2 analysis when I
failures step number 2 analysis when I was in high school I told you I scored
was in high school I told you I scored
was in high school I told you I scored 20 points all season combined right
20 points all season combined right
20 points all season combined right we’re from a Philadelphia there’s this
we’re from a Philadelphia there’s this
we’re from a Philadelphia there’s this newspaper called the Philadelphia Daily
newspaper called the Philadelphia Daily
newspaper called the Philadelphia Daily News after every day that there was a
News after every day that there was a
News after every day that there was a high school game and we all played on
high school game and we all played on
high school game and we all played on the same days the next day in the
the same days the next day in the
the same days the next day in the newspaper they were print up all the
newspaper they were print up all the
newspaper they were print up all the scores from the games each school and
scores from the games each school and
scores from the games each school and each player on each team how many points
each player on each team how many points
each player on each team how many points they scored so every day after we had a
they scored so every day after we had a
they scored so every day after we had a game I was hustling to the newsstand pay
game I was hustling to the newsstand pay
game I was hustling to the newsstand pay 60 cents for the Philadelphia Daily News
60 cents for the Philadelphia Daily News
60 cents for the Philadelphia Daily News really quick to the high school sports
really quick to the high school sports
really quick to the high school sports section by my school look down and try
section by my school look down and try
section by my school look down and try to find my name Dre Baldwin to now tells
to find my name Dre Baldwin to now tells
to find my name Dre Baldwin to now tells you about my first exposure can and how
you about my first exposure can and how
you about my first exposure can and how I talked myself into plan a lot better
I talked myself into plan a lot better
I talked myself into plan a lot better and how that helped start my career that
and how that helped start my career that
and how that helped start my career that wasn’t the last exposure camp I went to
wasn’t the last exposure camp I went to
wasn’t the last exposure camp I went to I went to several more and some of those
I went to several more and some of those
I went to several more and some of those camps just based on my performance I
camps just based on my performance I
camps just based on my performance I didn’t even want the game footage now
didn’t even want the game footage now
didn’t even want the game footage now you may wonder why even bring that up
you may wonder why even bring that up
you may wonder why even bring that up why do I even think about it why not
why do I even think about it why not
why do I even think about it why not just bury that and only talk about the
just bury that and only talk about the
just bury that and only talk about the things that I did that we’re great
things that I did that we’re great
things that I did that we’re great understand that any experience we go
understand that any experience we go
understand that any experience we go through is only valuable if you can draw
through is only valuable if you can draw
through is only valuable if you can draw education from that experience the
education from that experience the
education from that experience the simplest way to do that is ask yourself
simplest way to do that is ask yourself
simplest way to do that is ask yourself a question why did this happen we look
a question why did this happen we look
a question why did this happen we look at our own experiences the reason why we
at our own experiences the reason why we
at our own experiences the reason why we often don’t learn from them things that
often don’t learn from them things that
often don’t learn from them things that happened in our past is because when we
happened in our past is because when we
happened in our past is because when we fail we either start wallowing in the
fail we either start wallowing in the
fail we either start wallowing in the emotions of failure and the reasons why
emotions of failure and the reasons why
emotions of failure and the reasons why is not working or we try to bury it
is not working or we try to bury it
is not working or we try to bury it suppress it move on sand
suppress it move on sand
suppress it move on sand next thing and try to get back to
next thing and try to get back to
next thing and try to get back to succeeding again and when we succeed our
succeeding again and when we succeed our
succeeding again and when we succeed our egos delude us into believing that this
egos delude us into believing that this
egos delude us into believing that this is just going to keep happening because
is just going to keep happening because
is just going to keep happening because we’re a divinely ordained to just win in
we’re a divinely ordained to just win in
we’re a divinely ordained to just win in life this is why we don’t learn much
life this is why we don’t learn much
life this is why we don’t learn much from our past experiences if you start
from our past experiences if you start
from our past experiences if you start asking yourself a simple question that
asking yourself a simple question that
asking yourself a simple question that you can remember from this second step
you can remember from this second step
you can remember from this second step why did this happen
why did this happen
why did this happen the way that it did you’ll get an answer
the way that it did you’ll get an answer
the way that it did you’ll get an answer apply the question again why did this
apply the question again why did this
apply the question again why did this happen the way that it did go deeper and
happen the way that it did go deeper and
happen the way that it did go deeper and deeper into your experiences the word
deeper into your experiences the word
deeper into your experiences the word analyze means to examine methodically
analyze means to examine methodically
analyze means to examine methodically and in detail and the more you analyze
and in detail and the more you analyze
and in detail and the more you analyze your situations you start to find out
your situations you start to find out
your situations you start to find out formulas for why things happen and where
formulas for why things happen and where
formulas for why things happen and where did they do which can be very valuable
did they do which can be very valuable
did they do which can be very valuable for other people step number three it’s
for other people step number three it’s
for other people step number three it’s finding value in your experience when I
finding value in your experience when I
finding value in your experience when I first started publishing these videos to
first started publishing these videos to
first started publishing these videos to YouTube people would see the video me in
YouTube people would see the video me in
YouTube people would see the video me in the gym playing basketball and they
the gym playing basketball and they
the gym playing basketball and they would say man you’re pretty good your
would say man you’re pretty good your
would say man you’re pretty good your professional Hey
professional Hey
professional Hey who do you play for well I’m kind of
who do you play for well I’m kind of
who do you play for well I’m kind of unemployed right now between jobs they
unemployed right now between jobs they
unemployed right now between jobs they would say well how’d you playing in
would say well how’d you playing in
would say well how’d you playing in college in order to get so good to
college in order to get so good to
college in order to get so good to become a pro well I actually kind of got
become a pro well I actually kind of got
become a pro well I actually kind of got kicked off the basketball team as a
kicked off the basketball team as a
kicked off the basketball team as a junior in college so I didn’t do much
junior in college so I didn’t do much
junior in college so I didn’t do much and they would say well Dre listen
and they would say well Dre listen
and they would say well Dre listen listen I’m in high school right now and
listen I’m in high school right now and
listen I’m in high school right now and I want to become a pro so tell me how
I want to become a pro so tell me how
I want to become a pro so tell me how many points that you score in high
many points that you score in high
many points that you score in high school in order to get to the point that
school in order to get to the point that
school in order to get to the point that you could become a professional how many
you could become a professional how many
you could become a professional how many points that’s good not enough now you
points that’s good not enough now you
points that’s good not enough now you may think me telling these these things
may think me telling these these things
may think me telling these these things to these people asking me these
to these people asking me these
to these people asking me these questions telling them the truth might
questions telling them the truth might
questions telling them the truth might have turned him off to me maybe they
have turned him off to me maybe they
have turned him off to me maybe they would have said well why do I even need
would have said well why do I even need
would have said well why do I even need to listen to this guy he’s an unemployed
to listen to this guy he’s an unemployed
to listen to this guy he’s an unemployed basketball player he didn’t even play
basketball player he didn’t even play
basketball player he didn’t even play his last year-and-a-half in college he
his last year-and-a-half in college he
his last year-and-a-half in college he sat on a bench all four years he was in
sat on a bench all four years he was in
sat on a bench all four years he was in high school one year he was on the team
high school one year he was on the team
high school one year he was on the team in high school this guy’s been failing
in high school this guy’s been failing
in high school this guy’s been failing his whole career what do I need to learn
his whole career what do I need to learn
his whole career what do I need to learn from this guy well let me tell you what
from this guy well let me tell you what
from this guy well let me tell you what actually happened when I started sharing
actually happened when I started sharing
actually happened when I started sharing those truths with people I started
those truths with people I started
those truths with people I started receiving all types of messages diems
receiving all types of messages diems
receiving all types of messages diems emails from people who would say to me
emails from people who would say to me
emails from people who would say to me Dre I really appreciate you sharing your
Dre I really appreciate you sharing your
Dre I really appreciate you sharing your story with us because you’re giving me
story with us because you’re giving me
story with us because you’re giving me hope
hope
hope you’re representing an example to me
you’re representing an example to me
you’re representing an example to me that it is possible it can happen
that it is possible it can happen
that it is possible it can happen because you know what Dre I’m in high
because you know what Dre I’m in high
because you know what Dre I’m in high school right now and I’m sitting on the
school right now and I’m sitting on the
school right now and I’m sitting on the end of the bench I graduated college
end of the bench I graduated college
end of the bench I graduated college three years ago and I don’t know how to
three years ago and I don’t know how to
three years ago and I don’t know how to start my career someone told me a long
start my career someone told me a long
start my career someone told me a long time ago did it was too late for me to
time ago did it was too late for me to
time ago did it was too late for me to make it in basketball but hearing from
make it in basketball but hearing from
make it in basketball but hearing from you gives me hope to know that it’s
you gives me hope to know that it’s
you gives me hope to know that it’s still possible how you get value from
still possible how you get value from
still possible how you get value from your experiences that you have to
your experiences that you have to
your experiences that you have to sharpen your skill of observation how
sharpen your skill of observation how
sharpen your skill of observation how you do this is very simple everything
you do this is very simple everything
you do this is very simple everything you go through ask yourself this
you go through ask yourself this
you go through ask yourself this question if I had to teach a class on it
question if I had to teach a class on it
question if I had to teach a class on it I had to give a 15-minute presentation
I had to give a 15-minute presentation
I had to give a 15-minute presentation on it I had to make a ten minute video
on it I had to make a ten minute video
on it I had to make a ten minute video on the topic what would be to take away
on the topic what would be to take away
on the topic what would be to take away what do I want people to get from it yes
what do I want people to get from it yes
what do I want people to get from it yes even the worst things that you go
even the worst things that you go
even the worst things that you go through this sharpens your skill of
through this sharpens your skill of
through this sharpens your skill of observation not just of what’s happening
observation not just of what’s happening
observation not just of what’s happening outside of and around you but also
outside of and around you but also
outside of and around you but also what’s happening internally why did I
what’s happening internally why did I
what’s happening internally why did I think this why do I feel this way why
think this why do I feel this way why
think this why do I feel this way why did I make that decision and even though
did I make that decision and even though
did I make that decision and even though you’ve already been through the
you’ve already been through the
you’ve already been through the experience this can be super valuable to
experience this can be super valuable to
experience this can be super valuable to the people who are coming behind you now
the people who are coming behind you now
the people who are coming behind you now step number four we’ve looked at all our
step number four we’ve looked at all our
step number four we’ve looked at all our good and bad experiences step one
good and bad experiences step one
good and bad experiences step one analyze everything that happened and
analyze everything that happened and
analyze everything that happened and extracted the value from it but how do
extracted the value from it but how do
extracted the value from it but how do you put all this together how do you
you put all this together how do you
you put all this together how do you make this into something real and
make this into something real and
make this into something real and something tangible step number four is
something tangible step number four is
something tangible step number four is speaking up as an entrepreneur these
speaking up as an entrepreneur these
speaking up as an entrepreneur these days I had many conversations with I
days I had many conversations with I
days I had many conversations with I guess we call them once you’re enormous
guess we call them once you’re enormous
guess we call them once you’re enormous people who want to do things they want
people who want to do things they want
people who want to do things they want to get on stage and be a public speaker
to get on stage and be a public speaker
to get on stage and be a public speaker write a book start blogging make videos
write a book start blogging make videos
write a book start blogging make videos and post them online but they’re not
and post them online but they’re not
and post them online but they’re not doing it and when they start telling me
doing it and when they start telling me
doing it and when they start telling me about these things I ask the obvious
about these things I ask the obvious
about these things I ask the obvious question that you may be thinking what’s
question that you may be thinking what’s
question that you may be thinking what’s stopping you why aren’t you doing it why
stopping you why aren’t you doing it why
stopping you why aren’t you doing it why haven’t you begun the answer is usually
haven’t you begun the answer is usually
haven’t you begun the answer is usually some form of the following I’m not good
some form of the following I’m not good
some form of the following I’m not good enough I haven’t done enough I don’t
enough I haven’t done enough I don’t
enough I haven’t done enough I don’t know enough I’m not as good as this
know enough I’m not as good as this
know enough I’m not as good as this person over here who’s been doing it for
person over here who’s been doing it for
person over here who’s been doing it for 15 years before I even got involved
15 years before I even got involved
15 years before I even got involved understand that that’s the point you
understand that that’s the point you
understand that that’s the point you were the only person on this planet who
were the only person on this planet who
were the only person on this planet who has experienced your exact experience
has experienced your exact experience
has experienced your exact experience there’s no one else out there who can
there’s no one else out there who can
there’s no one else out there who can tell your story better than you no one
tell your story better than you no one
tell your story better than you no one else out there you can tell you
else out there you can tell you
else out there you can tell you story period and when you start speaking
story period and when you start speaking
story period and when you start speaking up telling the world where you’ve been
up telling the world where you’ve been
up telling the world where you’ve been what you’ve been through and what you’re
what you’ve been through and what you’re
what you’ve been through and what you’re dealing with your perfect audience will
dealing with your perfect audience will
dealing with your perfect audience will select themselves these are the people
select themselves these are the people
select themselves these are the people who are right now sitting in the seat
who are right now sitting in the seat
who are right now sitting in the seat that you sat in six weeks ago eight
that you sat in six weeks ago eight
that you sat in six weeks ago eight months ago and ten years ago they’re
months ago and ten years ago they’re
months ago and ten years ago they’re gonna seek you up and when they come to
gonna seek you up and when they come to
gonna seek you up and when they come to you for help help them out and when they
you for help help them out and when they
you for help help them out and when they keep coming back it’s awesome for it in
keep coming back it’s awesome for it in
keep coming back it’s awesome for it in conclusion for all the athletes the
conclusion for all the athletes the
conclusion for all the athletes the artists students anyone who’s heavily
artists students anyone who’s heavily
artists students anyone who’s heavily invested into anything you’ve done in
invested into anything you’ve done in
invested into anything you’ve done in your life and you haven’t quite gotten
your life and you haven’t quite gotten
your life and you haven’t quite gotten the return on investment that you expect
the return on investment that you expect
the return on investment that you expect it to this point
it to this point
it to this point understand that life is working for you
understand that life is working for you
understand that life is working for you even when it seems to not be working
even when it seems to not be working
even when it seems to not be working start seeing every experience you go
start seeing every experience you go
start seeing every experience you go through as material and stop waiting for
through as material and stop waiting for
through as material and stop waiting for things to work in your favor
things to work in your favor
things to work in your favor waiting for things to work for you in
waiting for things to work for you in
waiting for things to work for you in life is kind of like shooting a
life is kind of like shooting a
life is kind of like shooting a half-court shot in basketball where it
half-court shot in basketball where it
half-court shot in basketball where it might go in there’s a good chance it
might go in there’s a good chance it
might go in there’s a good chance it doesn’t even come close I challenge you
doesn’t even come close I challenge you
doesn’t even come close I challenge you here today so look at all your
here today so look at all your
here today so look at all your experiences both the good and especially
experiences both the good and especially
experiences both the good and especially the bad go deep and analyze everything
the bad go deep and analyze everything
the bad go deep and analyze everything that happened and why it happened
that happened and why it happened
that happened and why it happened extract the value from all those
extract the value from all those
extract the value from all those experiences speak up about where you’ve
experiences speak up about where you’ve
experiences speak up about where you’ve been and what you’ve been through and
been and what you’ve been through and
been and what you’ve been through and turn that half-court shot into a layup
turn that half-court shot into a layup
turn that half-court shot into a layup thank you
”
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