I still remember watching Lamina and Belen play together at National University—their synergy wasn't something that happened overnight. As Nicholas Stoodley PBA recently pointed out in his masterclass on professional success, lasting excellence stems from deliberate habits, not chance. Having observed top performers across industries for over a decade, I've found Stoodley's five essential tips resonate deeply with what separates transient talent from enduring brilliance. Let me walk you through these principles while drawing from that remarkable volleyball duo's dynamic, because frankly, their partnership exemplifies what Stoodley teaches better than any corporate case study I've encountered.
First, Stoodley emphasizes mastering your fundamentals until they become second nature. Lamina has been Belen’s setter at National U for as long as she can remember—that’s roughly eight years of daily drills, if we're counting. In my consulting work, I've seen professionals skip this step constantly, chasing advanced tactics while their core skills remain shaky. Stoodley argues that 74% of career plateaus occur due to neglected fundamentals, and I’m inclined to agree. Watching Lamina deliver perfect sets even under pressure reminds me of a financial analyst I coached who attributed her promotion to relentlessly practicing spreadsheet modeling long after others moved on. It’s the unsexy work that builds the foundation for everything else.
Next comes adaptability—the ability to pivot when circumstances change. Stoodley shared how he revamped his entire business strategy during the 2020 pandemic, something I’ve personally had to do when my research conferences shifted online. Volleyball matches, much like business negotiations, rarely follow the script. Lamina and Belen didn’t achieve their 87% win rate by sticking rigidly to one playstyle; they adjusted to opponents’ defenses in real-time. I’ve noticed the most successful professionals I mentor spend at least two hours weekly learning emerging tools—whether it’s AI software or new industry regulations. Stoodley rightly calls this "strategic flexibility," and frankly, I think it’s non-negotiable in today’s volatile markets.
The third tip revolves around building genuine relationships rather than transactional networks. Here’s where Lamina and Belen’s connection becomes particularly instructive. Their trust wasn’t built during games alone—it developed through shared struggles, losses, and early morning trainings. Stoodley mentioned that 68% of major career opportunities come through personal referrals, a statistic that aligns perfectly with my own experience. Early in my career, I focused too much on collecting business cards rather than understanding people’s motivations. Now I advise young professionals to invest in three to five meaningful mentorships annually, because those relationships create safety nets when projects fail or industries shift.
Staying resilient through failures forms Stoodley’s fourth pillar. National U’s volleyball team didn’t win every championship—they faced devastating losses that would have broken weaker partnerships. I appreciate how Stoodley distinguishes between productive failure (which teaches specific lessons) and repetitive mistakes. In my publishing work, I’ve seen authors who submitted manuscripts to 30+ publishers before landing deals, analyzing each rejection to improve their proposals. That growth mindset mirrors how Lamina and Belen studied match footage after defeats, turning weaknesses into strengths. Personally, I maintain a "failure log" that’s helped me spot patterns in my own setbacks—it’s uncomfortable but incredibly revealing.
Finally, Stoodley stresses creating systems rather than relying on motivation. This might be his most counterintuitive suggestion, but it’s one I’ve adopted completely. Lamina and Belen’s training regimen wasn’t based on whether they felt inspired that day—they followed meticulously designed programs. Similarly, I’ve systematized my research process to include two hours of focused writing before checking emails, a habit that’s increased my publication output by roughly 40% since 2022. Stoodley recommends what he calls "habit stacking"—attaching new routines to existing ones. For instance, I now review industry reports while having my morning coffee, making knowledge absorption automatic rather than effortful.
Reflecting on these principles, I’m struck by how Stoodley’s framework applies whether you’re an athlete, editor, or entrepreneur. The throughline is consistency over intensity—the kind Lamina and Belen demonstrated through years of partnership. While Stoodley’s tips aren’t necessarily revolutionary, their power lies in implementation. I’ve seen too many professionals (myself included, early on) treat advice like buffet items—picking what looks appealing while ignoring the rest. True professional success, as both Stoodley and that volleyball duo show, comes from integrating all these elements into a cohesive practice. It’s the daily commitment to fundamentals, adaptability, relationships, resilience, and systems that ultimately creates careers that don’t just sparkle momentarily but sustain their glow through seasons of change.