MESSAGE #445 HOW TO STOP PERFORMANCE KILLING THOUGHTS…

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great Robert Greene.

You can make or break a performance by the thoughts that arise in your mind. The winners and losers feel the same feelings but they take different action. Tiger Woods, Derek Jeter, and Roger Federer all get negative, so it’s alright if you do. But it’s what they do when those thoughts arise that make the difference.

Here’s a tip to stop those performance killing thoughts from the book, “Good to GREAT GOLF,” by Dr. Rob Gilbert and John Sikes, Jr…

The Rubber Band – Put an elastic band on your wrist, and every time you become aware of a negative thought, snap the band against your wrist. The sudden quick pain will “snap you out” of the negativity and remind you to get your focus back on track.

You’ll never totally get rid of negative feelings, just make sure you accept those feelings, and then “snap” out of it.


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #444 AN IMPORTANT LESSON FROM CHILDREN…

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to Bernie in the UK.

I have a feeling that someone reading this blog is wanting to accomplish something. REALLY wanting to accomplish something.

Perhaps it’s quitting smoking.

Perhaps it’s starting your own business.

Perhaps it’s performing in Carnegie Hall.

I can help…

Did you know that the average child falls down about 240 times when trying to walk? But that child doesn’t give up. It keeps falling down and trying again. And we encourage them to keep trying, don’t we?

Well, guess what? We, adults, should be the same way – we should have the same mindset, but DO WE?

If you want something badly enough, keep trying until you get there. I know you can do it.

Hold on until you catch on…


Thanks for reading.

“Game. Set. Life.” is now in the Princeton University Library!

MESSAGE #443 TALENT OR STRATEGY?

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I KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MAGIC. AND IF YOU’VE EVER HEARD ME GIVE A TALK, YOU KNOW THAT I HAVE A FEW TRICKS UP MY SLEEVE, BUT I USE THOSE TRICKS AS METAPHORS. I KNOW THAT ANYONE CAN LEARN TO DO THOSE TRICKS, YOU JUST HAVE TO LEARN THE “STRATEGY.” ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE IN LIFE…

IF YOU DISCOVER AND APPLY THE RIGHT STRATEGY…

THANKS FOR CHECKING IN.

MESSAGE #442 WHAT MAKES WINNERS WIN…

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great West Nott, assistant women’s tennis coach at the University of Southern California.

“The U.S. golfers are like thoroughbred sheep. They are tremendously bred and trained, and they run correctly, but the problem is that they are still sheep, and sheep want to be part of the flock. We need guys who are willing to say, ‘The flock is fine and it is a nice place to be and it is comfortable, and we are all very rich and enjoying the bounties of the flock. But the hell with the flock; I want to be a wolf.’ “

-Johnny Miller
Winner of 23 PGA Tour championships and winner of the 1973 U.S. Open championship

Today’s lesson? Don’t be a sheep!


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #441 IMPROVEMENT…

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great Oscar Nawrot.

I watch what I eat and I exercise regularly. I meditate to stay mentally and emotionally balanced. I try to be a good person.

I call this preventive medicine. Too many people wait until they get sick or become overweight to take care of themselves. Too many people wait until they have a nervous breakdown before they work on being mentally tough.

I challenge you to constantly improve in all areas of your life…BEFORE you need to. DON’T be on automatic. We’re only on this planet a short period of time – make the most of it.

Most people are satisfied with mediocrity, but if you do what everyone else does, you’re going to get what everyone else gets.

The great Melissa Sapio, who edited my book, “Game. Set. Life.,” got a perfect 4.0 throughout all of college. She told me her secret…

Exceed expectations. Just do a little bit more. Just get a little bit better…every day: on the court, in the classroom, in the boardroom and at home.

“You don’t have to be sick to get better.”


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #440 YOU HAVE NO LIMITS…

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great Marty Burch.

“I realize that I don’t have limits. Limits are always influences that come from outside, from people who don’t believe in themselves and their abilities. I firmly believe in myself. I know that I can do whatever I want and that I’ll always reach my goals.”

-Madonna


This mindset helped Madonna become who she is today. Most people don’t set their sights high enough. And most people have low self-images.

Vince Lombardi said to strive for perfection and you’ll run into excellence.

If you strive for mediocrity, you will never achieve greatness.

YOU CAN DO IT.

You don’t have to be great at the start, but you need to start to be great.


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #439 LESSONS FROM THE PRO TOUR…

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to all the great students in Professor Cordonnier’s Gender and Sport class at Rider University.

Shikha Uberoi is a professional tennis player on the WTA tour. She plays for both the USA and India. Currently Shikha is making a comeback after being on the tour for three years. Her highest ranking was #122 in singles and #80 in doubles. She has played Fed Cup for India.

I spoke to Shikha this morning…

Ed: What do you feel are the keys to success on the pro tour?

Shikha: Discipline, resilience, the ability to be yourself at all costs, and a sense of humor.

Ed: How has tennis helped you in other areas of your life?

Shikha: Wow, making great connections and seeing the entire world. CONFIDENCE. I think I’ve learned a lot of life lessons at a very young age. Pressure – you learn to deal with pressure. You learn what it is and you see what you are made of. And then learn to thrive on it. You see your limits. You learn to push your limits. And you see what happens when you push too hard.

Ed: What advice can you give to my readers who are looking to get to the next level, not only in tennis, but life?

Shikha: Learn who you are. Be yourself. Be true and be genuine. And be persistent.

So there you have it, be on the lookout for Shikha Uberoi…she’s making a comeback!

Thank you, Shikha, and thanks for reading…

MESSAGE #438 FOUR QUOTES

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“Nothing ever happened in the past; it happened in the Now. Nothing will ever happen in the future; it will happen in the Now”

-Eckhart Tolle

“Champions do what they need to do, when they need to do it, whether they want to or not.”
-Rob Gilbert, Ph.D.
Sports Psychologist

“One of these days is none of these days.”
-author unknown
“To get what we’ve never gotten, we must do what we’ve never done…start today!”
-Ed Tseng
Author of “Game. Set. Life.”

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #437 STOP TRYING YOUR BEST…

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One of the most important principles that I teach and feature in my book, “Game. Set. Life. – Peak Performance for Sports and Life” is…

Don’t try your best…

Do whatever it takes!

I spent some time last night with the great Dr. Charles Frantz, Director of The Conservatory of Music. We talked about how both music and sport relate to all areas of life. We shared stories and anecdotes. Here is my favorite…

Supposedly, Franz Liszt, the great 19th century pianist, was scheduled to play Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto (#5), but he broke his fourth finger.

Now, most people would have cancelled the performance, but not Liszt.

Rather than cancel the concert, Liszt re-worked the fingering. And the show went on.


Now THAT’S doing whatever it takes.

How can you apply that to what you do?



Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #436 JOB SUCCESS…SCHOOL SUCCESS…SPORTS SUCCESS…LIFE SUCCESS

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I tell people all the time, to have a “Joe DiMaggio Day.”

Let me explain…

When the great Joe DiMaggio was playing for the New York Yankees, there was a meaningless game at the end of the season, after the Yankees had already clinched a post-season spot. He played like he normally did – all out.

After the game, Joe D was interviewed and the reporter asked, “Hey Joe, this game was a ‘nothing’ game…why did you try so hard?”

“Today, there could have been one person seeing me play for the first time…I owe it to them to do my best.”

And now, Derek Jeter applies this philosophy.

Every lesson I teach, I give it my all, as if it’s their first lesson with me. Every motivational talk I give, I pretend that it’s my first. When I worked at the Princeton Racquet Club, I taught every lesson as if my bosses were on the court watching, even if they weren’t even in the building. And every morning, I write my blog in hopes that I can affect just ONE person out there. I think I can, but I don’t know for sure.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU’RE AFFECTING…

I love writing my blog every morning, and in my own weird way, I think I’m changing the world, but I don’t know unless someone tells me. This morning, someone told me…

Dear Ed,

My name is ________ and I am from __________. I’m 21 years old and I just spent the past 2 years in college in the U.S. playing college tennis in a Division 1 school. I ended last year inside the top 50 and I left college after last semester to pursue my childhood dream of playing professional tennis-A decision I am very happy with…

I’ve been reading your blog on and off for the past year and am just writing to thank you for all your inspirational/motivational messages. I turn to your page whenever I need a lift. I’ve had quite a few obstacles over the past year or so and reading your blog/quotes definitely helped me. I think you are an incredible person with a lot of love for the world, it’s good to know there are good people out there… I’m ranked in the 600’s in the world now and believe I can go very far. My ultimate dream is to be top 100 so I can play the slams and slowly but surely it’s becoming a reality…

Anyway, I’m sure you’ve got a million messages to read every morning so I’ll sign off. I’ve no doubt our paths will meet in the future at some pro tennis tournament. I will definitely be playing some challengers in California at some point. Thank you so much for everything man and keep on spreading the love!

Best wishes,

_____________

P.S. I know you like to put down people’s names in your blog but I’d prefer it if you didn’t use mine. Maybe when I make top 100 though! 🙂


Notice he said, “when” I make the top 100, not “if.”



Thanks for reading…and have a Joe DiMaggio Day…