MESSAGE #990 MENTAL TOUGHNESS: BE COMFORTABLE BEING UNCOMFORTABLE

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , , , , , /by

Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great Diane Stevenson in the UK.

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. -NEALE DONALD WALSCH

Admit it, you like to be comfortable. But if you’re comfortable, you’re not growing.

When I give mental toughness coaching sessions, I have people perform mental cross-training. For example, I had a college tennis player sing happy birthday to me at the top of his voice, in a crowded restaurant. He didn’t feel like it but did it anyway and felt great afterwards. And I do it in my own life, as well. Six hours after I solved my first Sudoku puzzle, I competed in the National Sudoku Championships (Beginner level).

The more you put yourself in uncomfortable situations, the more comfortable you will be when they arise.

Sports are mostly mental, but when was the last time you worked on that aspect of your game?

Homework: For the next week, do one thing each day that puts you out of your comfort zone.

MESSAGE #988 A PEAK PERFORMANCE POEM

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

There are two types of teammates in the world: builder-uppers and breaker-downers.

The builder-uppers are the Derek Jeters who make the rest of their team better. Michael Jordan was the same way.

The breaker-downers focus on themselves and may even put their teammates down to make themselves look better. One bad apple ruins the bunch.

This applies to sports, work, school and relationships.

Here is my favorite poem to bring the point home…

One day as I was walking around my home town,
I saw a group of men tearing a building down.

With a heave and a ho and a mighty yell,
they swung a huge steel ball and a tall building fell.

Impressed, I asked the foreman, “Are these men skilled?
Should I hire them if I ever want to build?”

“Oh no,” he laughed. “Oh no, indeed!
They’re unskilled laborers–that’s all I need.”

“These men can easily wreck in a day or two,
what it takes skilled builders many years to do.”

So I asked myself as I walked away,
which one of these roles do I want to play?

Do I want to be known as one who constantly tears down?
De-energizing others as I spread negativity around?

Or do I want to be known as one who skillfully builds up with care,
enthusiastically encouraging everyone whenever I’m there?

Which type of person will you be today?

MESSAGE #987 HOW WINE CAN HELP YOU

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , , , /by

Watch this great TED video where the great Gary Vaynerchuk (winelibrarytv.com) talks about doing what you love.

MESSAGE #986 THE WORD CAN’T CAN’T HELP YOU

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , , , , , , /by

On a daily basis, in and out of the sports world, I hear people using the word “can’t.”

“I can’t hit a serve.”

“I can’t find a job.”

“I can’t get this math problem.”

But you’re lying to yourself. You CAN.

And if you think you can’t, then what if I offered you a million dollars to do it, could you? I’m sure you’d find a way.

I have had many students say the word “can’t” during lessons and I tell them that the only time you can say that word in a sentence is when you add the word “yet” at the end of it.

“I can’t hit a serve…yet.”

“I can’t find a job…yet.”

“I can’t get this math problem…yet.”

That’s a totally different mindset isn’t it? That’s what the winners think like. And it’s a choice.

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #985

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Three bunnies were playing in the park.

Two of the bunnies decided to hop home.

How many bunnies were left?

Most people say one.

The answer is three. Just because the bunnies DECIDED to hop home doesn’t meant that they actually did.

People are the same way.

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

MESSAGE #984 BOUNCE BACK

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , , , , /by

Today’s message is especially dedicated to Lance Lee in Philadelphia, Lou Nespoli in Colts Neck, NJ, Makenzie Devine in Washington Township, NJ, Megan Brett in New York City, Rachel Mech in Washington, D.C., and Tommy Haas in Bradenton, Florida. Happy Birthday to you all!

 

Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team, then became the greatest basketball player ever.

Thomas Edison failed 10,000 times before perfecting the light bulb, then became the brightest mind of the past century.

Did Michael Jordan give up? NO.

Did Thomas Edison give up? NO.

Did Elmer McAllister give up?

You don’t know who Elmer McAllister is?!?

Of course you don’t, because he GAVE UP!

Never, never, never give up. -WINSTON CHURCHILL

MESSAGE #983

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , /by

Today’s message is especially dedicated to all who came out for the first ever Princeton Peak Performance Meetup Group.

For those of you who sent me hate mail and comments yesterday, I hope you had a good APRIL FOOL’S DAY.

S0 yesterday concluded my 21-Day Fitness Challenge. They say it takes twenty-one days to make something a habit and even though I stay active, I wanted to jump-start my fitness regimen. It certainly did that. And many of you joined me from all over the world, which made it even more fun.

Some days I merely performed an ab workout. Other days I went for a run, did jump rope, used my favorite piece of exercise equipment (not on the market yet but I have a prototype…stay tuned), worked out on the basketball court, soccer field or baseball field. If you missed the videos, click these links and watch me bend it like Beckham, shoot it  like Jordan and hit it like Jeter.

I feel like I’m stronger, leaner and have more energy. I actually surprised myself with sports I have never really played, like soccer and basketball, but with some tips from my coach friends, I performed quite well. Any skill is learn-able.

Did I ever not feel like working out? Of course, but I did it anyway. It also helped that I put it into cyberspace.

1. Set a goal

2. Make it public

3. Get to work

What do you want to kick-start in your life?

MESSAGE #982 MY LAST BLOG ENTRY

/3 Comments/in /by

This message will unfortunately be my last ever blog entry. I wish I could have made it to #1000 or beyond, but it is a major commitment and I have several other important projects going on.

In these nine hundred and eighty two messages, I have tried to inspire you and I have also been inspired by you with touching notes from all over the world and from all walks of life. It was a difficult decision for me, but the right one.

Thank you for the opportunity to share with you, inspire you and learn from you.

I wish you all the best,

Ed

MESSAGE #981 ACCOUNTABILITY

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great, Eileen Sinett.

Goal setting is one of the keys to peak performance. But goal setting is not enough. You need to have an accountability partner to keep you on track.

Recently, I had a meeting with speech coach, Eileen Sinett. Eileen is writing a book, but has put it off lately. Well, I’m helping her reach her goal. Sinett wants to finish the first draft of her book by July 31, 2010. To ensure that she makes that happen, we made a not-so-friendly wager.

If Eileen does not reach her goal, she must take me and my girlfriend, Sarah to dinner anyplace we want…on the planet.

I told her I always wanted to go to Paris.

Do you think she won’t get it done?

Time will tell, but I have faith in her. So set your goals and get an accountability partner.

And Eileen, get writing…

Thanks for reading.