Message #200 200 BLOG MESSAGES…

Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great Maggie Charleroy in Minnesota.

When I wrote my first blog entry, I wasn’t thinking about #200. Doing anything 200 times takes some work, especially if you’re doing it every day. As I look back on the past 200 messages, my feeling is that they came fairly easily to me, for the most part.

There were some days that I was tired or out of town. Other days, I didn’t feel like blogging, but I wrote a message anyway.

Blogging is one of my favorite things to do…and I get to do it EVERY day. But I look at blogging as a metaphor for what life is.

What sport is.

What school is.

What business is.

What a relationship is.

See, I focused on one blog at a time. I enjoyed the process of blogging, so it came with ease. I was helping others, so I was fulfilled. I wrote one every day, regardless of the conditions, so I developed discipline and good habits. I pride myself on walking the talk. I don’t preach anything I don’t believe in. I won’t try to sell you something that may or may not work.

I have used my skills in tennis to become a tennis pro.

I have used my skills as a tenins pro to become a motivational speaker.

I have used my skills as a motivational speaker to become an author.

The beauty of what I do as a peak performance expert, is working with people from all walks of life. I have worked with athletes, businessmen and women, students, performers, police officers, psychologists, homeless, chefs, etc.

The principles I talk about daily apply to anyone and everyone.

Some days you may read my blog and say to yourself, “I already know this stuff.” That’s fine, but do yourself a favor and follow that up with this…

“Am I DOING it?”

Knowledge is nothing if you don’t do anything with it.

Thanks for reading.

Message #199 OVERCOME ADVERSITY

Today’s message is especially dedicated to Mike, a nationally ranked tennis player in NJ.

A champion is someone who can win even when things aren’t going so well.

Someone who can push themselves when most people begin to give up.

The conditions will rarely be perfect, so you need to reach down inside in tough situations.

Here’s what the great John Wooden once said…

“To me, success isn’t outscoring someone, it’s the peace of mind that comes from self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best. That’s something each individual must determine. You can fool others, but you can’t fool yourself.

Most people are surprised to learn that in all my years at UCLA, I never once talked about winning. Instead I would tell my players before games, ‘When it’s over, I want your head up. And there’s only one way your head can be up-that’s for you to know, not me, that you gave your best effort. If you do that, then the score doesn’t really matter, although I have a feeling that if you do give your best, the score will be to your liking.’

I honestly believe that in not stressing winning as such, we won more than we would have if I’d stressed outscoring opponents.”

I’d like to add…

Focus on your strategy rather than the outcome.

Sports and life are a self-fulfilling prophecy…if you think you won’t play well because you’re not feeling well, that is the result you will get.

Don’t think “WHY did I get sick?”

Instead, think “HOW can I beat this opponent?”

If you’re going to play the game, play all out.

Thanks for reading.

Message #198 BY REQUEST…

One of my loyal readers in Los Angeles contacted me last night because she was under an enormous amount of pressure.

Pressure from her family.

Pressure from her friends.

Pressure from society.

When external forces beat down on you, it’s difficult to stay optimistic.

But guess what?

NOTHING EXTERNAL FROM YOU HAS ANY INFLUENCE OVER YOU.

Things, people, and events only beat down on you…

IF YOU LET THEM.

DON’T LET THEM!

Thanks for reading.

Message #197 A CRUMMY LESSON…

A loaf of bread fell from a bakery truck and, as it hit the pavement, a crumb broke off. Three sparrows swooped down on the crumb and began fighting over it. One bird finally succeeded in flying off with the crumb, the two others in close pursuit. A series of frenzied aerial maneuvers followed until the crumb was at last consumed by one of the birds.

The loaf was untouched. Only the crumb had seemed worth the fight. If the birds had displayed more vision and less greed, they could have all been satisfied.

People, like birds, quarrel over trivialities. In the heat of the struggle, life’s bigger more enriching prizes escape them.

-More of The Best of Bits & Pieces

Don’t go for the crumb…go for the loaf!

Thanks for reading.

Message #196 SUCCESS SECRET…

For those of you who live in the tri-state area…

You think the past couple days have been cold?!@#

Have you complained about how cold it was going from your car to your house?

Imagine if you were homeless!

A big part of success is putting things into perspective and your contribution in life.

As you know, I am actively involved with The Book Bank Foundation, started by celebrity agent, Glen Toby. Many of you generously donated items for our “Shelter From the Streets” event back in December. We are again looking for some items that you may not need, specifically, some warm jackets, blankets, hats, gloves, and of course books.

Anything you can contribute would be put to good use. I have much gratitude for anything you can give, but it is those people sleeping on streets in New York City that will truly be the grateful ones.

Do you still feel that it’s REALLY that cold out?

Success is about fulfillment. And fulfillment comes from your contribution. That adds value to your life and others.

Contribution comes in many forms…you can help others on your athletic team, work team, academic team and relationship team. What you give, you get. What you fail to give, you lose forever.

Thanks for reading.

Message #195 THANK YOU…

Today’s message is especially dedicated to everyone that came out to my Success Seminar yesterday at CanDo Fitness Center in Princeton.

I am so grateful for yesterday’s opportunity to speak to such a diverse group of people on the topic of success. There were elite athletes there, successful business people, a celebrity manager/agent, gold medalists from the Special Olympics, mothers, sons, etc.

Normally I speak to a specific audience, but there was something powerful yesterday with so many different people taking in the same message. You see, the principles are the same whether you are an athlete, businessperson, actor or salesperson.

Motivation is like potato chips…once you get some, you want more. By attending yesterday’s seminar and reading my blog, you have already taken the first step.

“It is in our times of decision that our destiny is shaped.”

Thanks for reading.

Message #194 I’M SO MOTIVATED TODAY…

It’s 7:09 AM and I am soooo motivated. In fact, I’ve been up since 4 AM. People who are motivated don’t want to go to bed at night and can’t wait to get up in the morning.

But WHY am I so motivated today?

Because today I’m helping others. I will be giving a motivational seminar on success at one of the top fitness clubs in NJ…CanDo – Princeton. It is an opportunity to help others.

See, when you motivate others, YOU get motivated.

When you help others, it gives your life meaning and purpose and that fills you up. That’s why it’s called fulfillment. That’s where TRUE happiness lies.

Success without fulfillment is Failure.

Who cares about money if you’re miserable?

“Light a lamp for others and your path will be lit as well.”

So change your plans, bring your friends, sell your firstborn…but don’t miss today’s Success Seminar at CanDo – Princeton from 4-6:30pm.

You’ll leave more motivated and you might even win a great giveaway!

Thanks for reading.

Message #193 DID YOU KNOW?

Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great Derek Jeter.

Did you know that…

Actor James Earl Jones stuttered so badly in elementary school that he had to communicate with friends and teachers using written notes. Now he is famous for his deep, powerful voice.

Henry Ford failed and went broke five times before reaching success.

Beethoven was deaf but still became a successful composer.

Thomas Edison failed 12,000 times when trying to invent the lightbulb.

In the 1952 Olympics, a young Hungarian boy won the gold medal by splitting the target over and over again. But then he lost his right shooting arm. Four years later, he started splitting the bull’s eye again…using his left hand.

Jim Abbott pitched a no-hitter in the Major Leagues…without a right hand.

The list goes on…

So if all these successful people can stay optimistic and overcome adversity…can’t you?

“Pain nourishes courage. You can’t be brave if you’ve only had wonderful things happen to you.”

Thanks for reading.

Message #192 OVERCOME PROCRASTINATION…

Do you procrastinate?

Do you want to eliminate that bad habit from your life?

It’s easy. Here’s how…

JUST DO ONE THING.

If you have to read 50 pages of a book…

JUST READ ONE.

If you have to make 10 phone calls…

JUST MAKE ONE.

If you don’t feel like exercising…

JUST JOG FOR 5 MINUTES.

If you don’t feel like paying all your bills…

JUST PAY ONE.

The reason why just doing one thing works is because once you start doing something, you gain momentum. And once you gain momentum, you get into it. And once you get into it, you are most likely going to keep going.

So the next time you don’t FEEL like doing something, just do one thing and afterwards, send me an email to thank me.

“Procrastination is preparing to prepare.”

Thanks for reading.

Message #191 I DON’T REALLY FEEL LIKE BLOGGING TODAY…

Today’s message is dedicated to nobody.

This is Message #191 and I don’t really feel like doing a message today. I’ve done so many, I deserve a day off…Maybe I’ll just go back to bed. I don’t even know if anyone will read this message. I’m tired.

Do you really believe that I would do that? I LOVE blogging. I wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t blog every morning. Sure, there are some days that I don’t FEEL like blogging, but I just do it, and then I get “into” it.

The most successful people in the world don’t always FEEL like doing things every day, but they do it anyway.

One of the secrets of life is that you can perform at a high level even if you don’t FEEL like it. I know in my own experience, I take action BEFORE my body tries to negotiate with myself to be lazy or act according to my feelings.

Feelings are just feelings, take the correct action, regardless of your feelings and you will boost your confidence, be happier and rise up to the top.

Thanks for reading.

Happy Chinese New Year!