Many people go through life looking through the rear view mirror. They are always looking in the past. The key to reaching peak performance is staying in the present. Instead of thinking about past failures, think about how your actions today will help you improve your performance, relieve stress and make you happier.
You can think about the past, but don’t live there…
Tomorrow’s blog message from Tasmania.
Thanks for reading.
The ship will be docking in Melbourne within the hour. We are supposed to go snorkeling with sea dragons, but the sky is overcast. Many people would complain that it should be sunny, but I’m going to have a great time regardless. It’s all perception.
Last night the seas were rough and our 8:15 show was cancelled. I didn’t mind because we saw a pretty good comedian.
You can take any situation and turn it into a positive, but it’s up to you.
Make good mental choices today…
Thanks for reading.
I have a feeling someone reading this message has been stressed.
Perhaps you were stressed about your sport, your job or your relationship.
Stress is the biggest killer in the world.
So how can you decrease stress in your life?
I was just meditating on my balcony on the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship. I was looking out at the ocean. The blue water was crashing alongside the ship with a calming sound. The air smelled fresh. I had gratitude for everything I have in my life, the good and the bad.
What can you do?
Meditate.
Listen to some calming music or sounds of nature.
Be grateful.
Watch some comedy.
Work out.
I know what you’re thinking, I don’t have the time…
Well guess what?
If you’re too busy to make time for relaxation…
You’re too busy!
Thanks for reading.
Tomorrow…Snorkeling with sea dragons in Melbourne.
Do you think one person can make a difference?
Tonight I went to see Kate Ceberano and the Sydney Symphony at the Opera House. It was a great show with over 75 people performing on stage. If one person was off, the whole concert would have been ruined.
Can one person make a difference?
Absolutely.
If one person on your sports team doesn’t perform, the team will suffer. If one person on your team at work doesn’t perform, the team will suffer.
Help do your part and give your all in everything you do.
TEAM: Together Everyone Achieves More…
as long as there is a
Total Effort from All Members.
Tomorrow’s message from aboard the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship…
Thanks for reading.
G’ day from Down Under! How you going?
Today’s message is especially dedicated to all my blog readers in Australia and New Zealand.
One of the key concepts that I teach and live by is balance. It is even a chapter in my new book.
You need to work hard and you need to play hard.
You need to be intense, and you need to be relaxed.
You need to eat healthy foods, and need to have a cheat day once in a while.
You need to be organized, but you need to do nothing once in a while.
So I believe in balance, that is why I am leaving in less than 10 minutes to hop a flight to Australia and New Zealand until December 24th. I will be spending three days and two nights in Sydney, then get on a ship and cruise to Melbourne, Tasmania and a few stops in New Zealand.
Because I will be flying over the international date line, I will never see December 9, 2008…
Next blog message from Down Under…
Thanks for reading.
Do you want to know what is holding you back?
I’ll tell you.
The thing that is holding you back from getting the results you want is…
Your belief as to what is attainable.
Let me explain. Most of us believe that greatness is reserved for the select few, but this is false. Greatness is waiting for all of us, if we want it badly enough and if we believe it is possible.
We often don’t realize, but we are our own worst critics. We say, “That was a stupid thing to do,” or “I’m not coordinated,” and that becomes part of us. Have you ever been somewhere where a person was singing a song over and over again, and then it became stuck in your head for the rest of the day?
What we tell ourselves and how we see ourselves works the same way. If we keep putting ourselves down, it will stick with us. We need to pick ourselves up instead of beating ourselves down.
How can you fix that?
Easy…repeat the following affirmation every morning and night.
“I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, successful, happy, healthy and harmonious.”
Better yet, write it on an index card. Keep it on your bathroom mirror so you can read and look at it every day, first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
Thanks for reading.
Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great Ian Rubel.
Recently, I have spent quite a bit of time with Bob Ryland, the first black professional tennis player. In our conversations, we talk about playing and teaching tennis, the experiences he’s gone through, and life.
Mr. Ryland has seen it all. He lived through segregation before Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. He has coached some of the best players in the world. Earlier this week, Bob and I were sitting at his kitchen table in his apartment overlooking the New York City skyline when he told me the secret.
“You gotta work hard. If you want to become as good as the Williams sisters, you have to train like the Williams sisters. They are not more talented than everyone else, they just work harder. And don’t give up.”
So you have to put in the work. There is no substitute. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. There’s plenty of talented people out there, but it’s the ones that work hard and keep going that succeed.
“Arthur Ashe wasn’t a great player. I wasn’t a great player. Ivan Lendl wasn’t a great player. We just worked hard,” said Mr. Ryland.
Pete Sampras said the accomplishment he is most proud of is finishing number one in the world, six years in a row. He said, “To me, greatness lies in going out there day after day and getting the job done.”
So work hard at practice, at work, at school, but remember something else that Bob Ryland said…
“Have fun!”
Thanks for reading.
Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great George Henry and all the coaches, student-athletes and parents in the tennis program at the PAL of New York City, Harlem Armory.
Watch the video below and try NOT to be motivated.