MESSAGE #289 ABILITY

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I was inspired the other day to go into “the city” to experiment with some photography ideas I had.

I have done shows at restaurants, photographed famous athletes and even gave in and shot a wedding. Many people don’t consider me a photographer, probably because I don’t promote it much, but some people in the art world are impressed by my work. But that’s not the point.

The point is that I am a self-taught photographer. I learned a little bit about composition and then just experimented and “copied” some great photographers that I liked. I never thought that I COULDN’T do it, I just DID IT.

So never doubt your abilities. We are all gifted. If you’re not getting the results you want, try it a different way. It’s not failure, it’s feedback.

Believe in yourself…Fred Astaire did when a testing director said, “Can’t act! Slightly bald! Can dance a little!” You know what Astaire did with that note? He hung it above his fireplace for motivation.

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #288 THREE TYPES OF PEOPLE…

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There are three types of people in the world…those who make things happen, those that talk about what they think just happened, and those who say, “Did something just happen?”

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #287 I AM HUMBLED…

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great Joey Clawson.

Yesterday I spent part of Mother’s Day with one of my Special Olympics tennis players, Joey Clawson who lost his mother back in September.

We went to Olive Garden, then we went bowling. We had a blast.

Now I know that Joey is a great athlete…I work with him in tennis and I’ve seen him play basketball. I consider myself a good athlete and even though I don’t bowl that often, I can hold my own. Well, guess what?

I LOST!!!

Joey won two games and I won one. And I know what you’re thinking, but YES, I WAS trying! The last game came down to the last frame and I got a spare and went on to win 103-102. I won the battle but lost the war. Joey bowled amazingly and I didn’t.

I was impressed. And to my defense, I later found out that Joey has won 3 gold medals in bowling for the Special Olympics. Now I don’t feel so bad. I still don’t like losing…

So if Joey Clawson can bowl better than most of you…with a disability, imagine what YOU can do?

“Programmed into our very human nature is the desire to push limits. Here is the proof.” – On a Special Olympics van

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #286 MOTHERS…

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to the late great Mary Tseng.

As a student, coach, athlete, son, daughter or parent, I feel that many times the message gets lost.

Coaches only want the best for their players.

Parents only want the best for their children.

I know growing up my own mother said and did things that annoyed me but I now know that it all came from love. The message was lost, but at the time I did not see it that way. Coaches may be tough, but it’s because they want you to become better.

Mothers will never cease to annoy you, at times, but when they do, especially today, know that it comes from a place of love and send some love right back.

Many times we take things for granted…mothers included.

Happy Mothers’ Day.

“We too often love things and use people, when we should be using things and loving people.”

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #285 GO SEE THIS MOVIE…

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NOW PLAYING IN SELECT THEATERS…YOUNG @ HEART. I SAW THIS MOVIE YESTERDAY AND IT WAS ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES I’VE EVER SEEN. IT IS ABOUT A SINGING GROUP THAT PERFORMS ALL OVER THE WORLD…AND THEIR AVERAGE AGE IS 80. THERE ARE SO MANY MESSAGES IN THE STORY…PERSISTENCE, OPTIMISM, FUN, GOAL SETTING AND THE POWER OF MUSIC. I LAUGHED, I CRIED. DON’T MISS THIS INSPIRATIONAL FILM.

THANKS FOR CHECKING IN.

MESSAGE #284 WRITERS’ BLOCK…

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great Alexa Gruiero.

I don’t know what to blog about today. Perhaps I will skip today. Well, maybe if I just START writing I will get rid of my writers’ block. WAIT A SECOND, isn’t writers’ block when you can’t write? What am I doing right now? Writing! (typing). Excellent.

You know what? There’s no such thing as writers’ block. As a matter of fact, there’s no such thing as ANYTHING-block.

If you don’t feel like writing, just write.
If you don’t feel like working out, just go work out.
If you don’t feel like starting an assignment, just start it.

See, you don’t have to FEEL like doing something to actually do it. The block is mental, the action is physical. Next time you don’t feel like doing something, accept the feeling and take the correct action anyway.

I just received a note while I was doing this message from Alexa Gruiero saying that she has really been sticking to her new workout program and many mornings she doesn’t feel like working out but she goes to the gym anyway. That’s what we’re talking about. I was very inspired by just reading her note. We can all learn from Ms. Gruiero.

Homework: For the rest of today, I challenge you to ACT the way you want instead of letting your FEELINGS dictate your actions (or in-actions).

Thank you Alexa and…

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #283 LEARN FROM A SOCCER STAR…

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great Luigi Schiano Moriello.

Yesterday I spent some time with a soccer player from Italy…his name – Luigi Schiano Moriello. Luigi plays for Sibilla in Lega Nazionale Dilettanti (Seria D League) in Italy. Being able to get paid to play soccer in Italy is not an easy task; it’s in their blood, everyone wants to play; it’s a religion.

I asked Luigi what the top 3 components of being a successful soccer player in Italy were. Here’s what he had to say…

1. Determination

2. Mental Toughness

3. Physical Skill

Determination helps you achieve anything you want in this world.

Mental toughness helps you to perform at a high level, even under pressure situations.

Physical skills help you attain peak performance with the mind/body/spirit connection.

See, it doesn’t matter where you are in the world, the principles in soccer are the same as the principles in other areas of life. Luigi’s goal is to play at the highest level in Italy…with the right mindset, I know he can do it. Remember his name.

Grazie, Luigi.

Thanks for reading.

For a free 10-minute peak performance consultation, email:

MESSAGE #281 HERE’S YOUR CHANCE…

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Today’s message is especially dedicate to Joy and Rosalie.

If you’ve been following this blog for a while, I think you get the idea that it’s not about me, me, me…what it’s really about is we, we, we.

It’s not about you, it’s about others; it doesn’t matter whether it’s sports, sales or school.

“A life is not important except in the impact on others lives.” -Jackie Robinson, first African-American baseball player in the modern era.

So here’s your chance to make a difference.

Way back in Message #213 I mentioned the new organization that I am part of…First Day New York. Whoopi Goldberg is helping us out this year. This is an amazing program that donates customized backpacks for children in NYC shelters for their “first day” of school. They receive a new outfit, school supplies, love, hope and optimism to set the tone for the rest of their school year…and life.

Do you remember your first day of school? Was it important? Did you have a new outfit?

Well some of these children do not have new outfits; some of them don’t even have SHOES!

So do yourself a favor and help make a difference. You can sponsor a child and put together a customized backpack, or you can make a donation. Please ask your companies you work for and the schools that you attend to help this great cause. I look forward to hearing from you. Email me at

Remember, the amount of happiness in your life is in direct proportion to the amount of CONTRIBUTION in your life.

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #280 Cinco de Mayo

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to Sarah Heyman

In Message #276, I said to NOT be a sheep. DON’T do what everyone else is doing. Here’s what happens when you are a sheep….Today is Cinco de Mayo, the “fifth of May.” Mexican restaurants all over the world will be packed today celebrating…Mexican Independence Day…right? WRONG!

Cinco de Mayo is NOT Mexican Independence Day, that’s September 16th. Cinco de Mayo is only regionally celebrated in Mexico, not nationally and it celebrates the Battle of Puebla and Mexican heritage and culture. So celebrating Mexican heritage and culture today…yes. Celebrating Mexican Independence Day today on Cinco de Mayo…very sheep-ish.

Thanks for reading. Happy Cinco de Mayo.