MESSAGE #473 DON’T DO THIS…

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Ed donating a copy of “Game. Set. Life.” to the Arthur Ashe Library, one of the top tennis collections in the world.

Today’s message is especially dedicated to all the great staff, parents, and players at Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education in Philadelphia, PA.

Yesterday, I began my talk at Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education by saying that all success in tennis begins on the six inch tennis court between your ears. Your mind is a powerful thing and it is your choice whether you use it in a positive way or a negative way.

There was a female tennis pro who, when very young, witnessed her mother have a heart attack and die suddenly in a dentist chair. And for 30 years, this woman refused to go to the dentist.

Finally, her teeth were in such poor condition that she HAD to go to the dentist. So she sat in the dentist’s chair, and something shocking happened…

The woman had a sudden heart attack and died in the dentist chair!

So she mentally killed herself. This is an example of how we can use our minds in a negative way.

You will never totally eliminate negative thoughts, but if you focus on them for so long that they paralyze you, there’s a problem.

Be your own inner coach instead of inner critic.

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #472 CAN VS WILL

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Here is an email I received recently…

Ed,
I just finished your book….Very inspiring. I am working at becoming the athlete I once was and the book definitely gave me big push. My wife, Kathy and I are going to run a marathon in 2010 in Kauai. I am also running a half marathon this summer. I have never been a runner but the thought of running a marathon is an intriguing goal. So a few weeks ago, we came up with this plan. I have about 35 lbs to lose to get in shape for this and I plan on keeping those pounds off. I was in NYC yesterday and must have walked eight miles in my dress shoes. This morning I woke up and my feet were killing me. I really did not want to go running at 6:30am with my feet and back hurting, but after just completing your book (on the train home from the city) I felt like if I didn’t go for my morning run I would be letting myself down. It has been a long time since I felt that way, so thanks.
-Ted Borsuk

So the question isn’t “Can you?”

The question is…

“Will you?”


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #471 DON’T BE PREDICTABLE…

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As a tennis player, the last thing you want to do is to be predictable. If your opponent knows what you’re going to do and what is coming to them, they will have it made. So change up your strategy, mix in some different spins, hit to different targets, and change up the pace of your shots.

If you’re a teacher, you can’t do the same lesson plan every day. Your students will lose interest. As a speaker, I vary my delivery, so I am unpredictable, and I keep my audience’s attention. If your favorite restaurant served the same thing over and over and over again, wouldn’t you get sick of it? That’s what specials are for.

Watch the video below on the unpredictable cat.

Unpredictable cat

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MESSAGE #470 A LOTTA PEOPLE DO THIS…

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to Ms. Kontos’ wonderful students.

Do you do a little a lot or a lot a little?

Let me explain…

If you do a little a lot, you are doing a small amount often, or frequently.

If you do a lot a little, you are doing a large amount not very often, or infrequently.

Situation #1: You practice tennis one hour a day, six days a week.

Situation #2: You practice tennis six hours a day, one day a week.

Who will perform better?

Situation #1: You study for one hour a day, six days a week.

Situation #2: You study for six hours a day, one day a week.

Who will perform better?

If you cram for an exam, you may get decent results short-term…at best.

But if you do a little bit every day, you will get great results, long-term.

Don’t cram the most important exam you’ll ever take – LIFE.

Do a little bit every day. Get a little better every day.


See, the purpose of this blog is not to give you something to eat…it’s to make you hungry. Hungry to become better and hungry to become great.

Who’s hungry?

Okay, I need to go eat…see you tomorrow.


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #469 WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to all the great students in Ms. Romano’s class in Montgomery.

What motivates you?

Does success motivate you or does fear of failure motivate you?

In sports and life, the ones that succeed are the ones that can perform under pressure. John Murray, Ph.D. is one of the top sports psychologists in the world and in his book, “Smart Tennis,” he says that if you are motivated by fear of failure, your maximum motivation is when you are either playing someone much better or much worse than you, because there is little risk of losing. When you play someone of a similar level, motivation decreases because there is a true sense of potential failure. But on the other side of the coin, if you are motivated by success, you are focused on the process and rise to the occasion when the pressure is on. You love the competition.

Which mindset do you think helps you attain peak performance?

Are you going to go all out and perform under pressure, or are you going to try “not to lose”?

It’s up to you.

Thanks for reading.

This Thursday, November 13, 7PM @ Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education Center, Ed Tseng presents “Game. Set. Life. – Peak Performance for Sports and Life.”
4842 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19129. http://www.ashetennis.org/home/EdTseng.asp


MESSAGE #468 NINE ESSENTIALS FOR BECOMING A SUCCESS…

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great Sgt. Conor Mullanaphy stationed in Iraq.

1. Do not procrastinate.

2. Do it now.

3. Stand on your own two feet.

4. Do not fear failure.

5. Don’t sell yourself cheaply.

6. Develop the habit of being goal oriented.

7. Visualize your goals and believe you can attain them.

8. Plan your work, and work your plan.

9. Don’t you quit.

“When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. Be prepared to do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes.”

(From The Golden 12 by Herbert Harris)

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #467 USE A BILLIARDS MINDSET

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great Whitney Kraft.

Ever shoot pool? High level pool players not only focus on their current shot, but they look at the follow-up shots as well.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Ed, shouldn’t you stay in the present?”

Yes and no. I was at the USPTA Eastern Fall Conference yesterday at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and Kevin Kane gave a great talk on how to go from tennis pro to head pro to director to general manager at a club. Most pros stay in the present – they just want to make the most money now instead of looking at the big picture. But if you want to make it long term, it’s in your best interest to look down the road.

In pool, it’s good to focus on your shot, but if you don’t have a good “leave” for the next shot, you are done. If you do look one or two shots ahead, you can set yourself up for a win and make your life easier.

Life is the same way. I know one of my goals is to become one of the top speakers in the world and start my own mental training/sports facility. And all the steps I’m taking today are helping me move in that direction.

So stay in the present, but know where you want to go so you can set yourself up for greatness.



Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #466 AN INSPIRING STORY…

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to Professor Prose.

I love the Special Olympics. How can you not love all out effort and a smile regardless of if you win or lose? As a volunteer coach for the Special Olympics, I can safely say that working with my special athletes is one of the most rewarding things that I have ever done. Here is an inspiring story by request.

It was the Summer Games for the Special Olympics. The event was track and field. As usual, positivity was all around. “Great job!” and “You can do it!” filled the air from coaches, parents, friends and other athletes. There was this little girl – she was in last place, but she kept running and running and giving it her all. She wasn’t even close to the second-to-last athlete, but the crowd cheered on. In fact, the cheers got louder and louder as she approached the finish line. And after she crossed, she has the biggest smile on her face and she put her arms in the air as if she had just won the gold and said, “Mommy, Daddy, I did it!”

It was very emotional for the parents and tears were certainly shed. The girl’s parents were still crying when a reporter came up to them after the event. “Congratulations, why are you still crying…is everything okay?”

“Yes, everything is fine – we just heard our daughter say her first words…”




Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #465 DREAM BIG…

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“If you don’t believe in miracles, then you’re not being realistic.”
DR. BERNIE SEGAL