MESSAGE #1257 HOW TO KEEP YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
Nothing changes on New Year’s Day.
-BONO, rock star
Does anything really change on New Year’s Day?
I suppose change is possible, but is it lasting change?
Doing something once is not impressive.
Doing something consistently is impressive.
Don’t make resolutions, set goals and make lifestyle changes.
I’ve working out in gyms for most of my life and it amazes me how so many people start the new year off with amazing INTENTIONS by joining a gym and deciding to work out like they never worked out before, but don’t stick with it.
Their good intentions usually last only a few weeks.
By the end of January, those “motivated” people fall by the wayside.
Why does this phenomenon occur?
Because most people don’t know how to set goals.
Here’s what most people are doing wrong:
1. They don’t set specific goals; they said “I want to get in shape” versus “I am going to lose 10 pounds by March 1, 2011 at 8am.”
2. They let their goals too low. Michelangelo said, “It’s not that we set our sights too high and we don’t reach them; it’s that we set our sights too low and we DO reach them.” Set your sights high!
3. They think they can do it on their own. Get a trainer. Get coach. Get an accountability partner. Tell everyone about your goals. THEN you will be more likely to stick with it.
4. They don’t make their goals important enough. If something is important enough, you will stick with it.
5. They try their best, instead of DOING WHATEVER IT TAKES. There will be days you don’t “feel like” sticking to your goals. But those are the days you HAVE TO. Winners and losers feel the same feelings, but winners take the right action.
What are YOUR New Year’s Goals?
Leave your comments below.
Want a jump-start to a new you? Email ed@edtseng.com to schedule a free 10-minute mental toughness consultation, or to request information on one-on-one mental toughness coaching via telephone/skype.
MESSAGE #1242 FOCUS
We choose what we focus on.
Suppose you are winning a tennis match by a score of 5-0, and your opponent then wins the next three games. You start to think that the momentum has switched and that the person on the other side of the net has a chance to win.
STOP!
This type of thinking is normal, however, many people end up losing that set by focusing on the possible loss instead of focusing on HOW they can close it out.
The key is acknowledging that negative little voice inside your head and then moving on. Focusing on the next point. Your strategy. Your footwork.
Is this easier said than done?
Yes and no. Simple…yes. Easy…no. Mental training is just like physical training. You have to work at it.
Here’s an example of how you can shift your focus at any time.
Look around you and find three things that are blue.
Now quickly close your eyes and find something green.
Isn’t it hard to do?
Why?
Because it’s hard to focus on two things at the same time.
You can’t get green when focusing on blue.
You can’t get a win from focusing on a loss.
MESSAGE #1229 MARIANO RIVERA
Today I had the fortunate opportunity to meet one of the most mentally tough athletes in history, Mariano Rivera, closer, New York Yankees.
Teammates have said that Mariano is very humble and is the same person that he was when he played in the minor leagues. I could believe that. He was such a pleasure to speak to and had such a great positive energy about him.
Rivera once said:
“When you start thinking, a lot of things will happen. Emotions take place, and you have to know how to control your emotions. If you don’t control your emotions, your emotions will control your acts, and that’s not good.”
Rivera told me today that during pressure situations, you need to keep your composure.
How does Rivera do it? He focuses on the catcher’s mitt. He acknowledges the pressure, then gets to work.
You may not have Mariano Rivera’s cut fastball, but you can have the same mindset and focus as him.
Starting NOW.
MESSAGE #1228 WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Are you looking for a certain level of success in sports, sales or school?
Is there somewhere you want to get to?
Let me tell you a secret.
It’s not out there.
Success is already inside you.
If you have the right mindset (all-out effort/constant improvement) and have passion for what you do, you are successful.
Set goals, but enjoy the process.
Success is a journey, not a destination.
Success is a marathon, not a sprint.
I recently spoke to a minor league baseball player and asked how his off-season was going, how his workouts were going. He said they were going fine. There wasn’t excitement in his voice. It didn’t sound like he was pushing himself to get to the next level. It almost sounded like he was giving up or that the major leagues was a near impossibility.
All of the successful people in the world have one thing in common–They act successful BEFORE they become successful. That comes from inside. And this is trainable.
There are no limits, you can always improve. Don’t be content. Create your vision. Start taking action.
With this mindset, ANYTHING is possible.
MESSAGE #1227 WHY THIS IS “THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR”
Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
-BUDDHA
For many, this is the most wonderful time of the year. I concur.
Even though I feel like this all year ’round, I particularly enjoy the holidays for one main reason.
People GIVE.
Don’t get me wrong, people giving is not so I can get “stuff.”
People giving is actually people GETTING.
Let me explain…
When you give to someone, you GET much more in return. It feels better when you GIVE than when you receive. That’s a big reason why I blog every day and donate my time, services and products throughout the year. It makes ME happy.
When you give, you feel good.
The best way to make yourself happy is to make someone else happy.
The best way to get motivated is to get someone else motivated.
The best way to become successful is to make someone else successful.
That’s why I think this is the most wonderful time of the year.
Can you apply this to teamwork? School? Your job?
You bet.
As a matter of fact, research has shown that people who volunteer and give more of themselves, reap the health benefits (mental and physical) for up to 50 years.
It’s about OTHERS.
So as you go through this holiday season, focus less on what you might get and focus more on what you intend to GIVE. And remember, it doesn’t necessarily have to be an object, it can be your time, a compliment or just doing a little bit extra.
MESSAGE #1224 BRUCE LEE 3
“Defeat is a state of mind.
no one is ever defeated
until defeat has been accepted
as a reality.
To me, defeat in anything
is merely temporary,
and its punishment is but an urge
for me to exert greater effort
to achieve my goal.
Defeat simply tells me
that something is wrong in my doing;
it is a path leading to
success and truth.”
-BRUCE LEE
MESSAGE #1221 KEEP GOING
With Billie Jean King at my US Open book signing
Champions keep playing until they get it right.
-BILLIE JEAN KING
I once had a student who began playing tournaments. In her first tournament, she lost first round. In the next tournament, she had the same result. And the next, and the next. For practically the first year, she didn’t get past the first round.
I told her, “This is a great way to improve, learn and develop as a player.”
She agreed with me, although she wanted better results. Well, she stuck with it and then started getting results.
She started winning some matches. She got to the 2nd round, then the 3rd and now it is rare if she doesn’t make it to at least the semifinals. She is also on her high school varsity team.
Most people give up too soon. They want immediate results. The great ones persist.
You need to hang on until you catch on.
Winning may feel good temporarily, but you learn more from losses.
The two most important questions you can ask yourself after a game/match/practice session are:
1. On a scale of 1 to 10, how did I play?
2. What can I do differently next time to get to a 10?
Focus on constant improvement and as a by-product, you will win more.
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