MESSAGE #781 DON’T COUNT ON IT…

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“Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.”
-ALBERT EINSTEIN

Kim Clijsters won.

Juan Martin del Potro won.

They weren’t supposed to.

Clijsters had only played two tournaments since coming back from a two and a half year layoff.

del Potro had never won a Grand Slam or ever beaten Roger Federer.

Not everything that can be counted counts.

On paper, Clijsters was unseeded. An unseeded woman had never won the US Open.

Roger Federer had not lost a match in the US Open since 2004. But he lost to del Potro.

There comes a point in a match (and life) that you start to believe that something is possible.

It is then that anything is possible.

“When I broke his (Federer’s) serve for first time, I start to believe in my game,” del Potro said.

There is no statistic for belief. There is no statistic for desire.

Not everything that counts can be counted.

del Potro started off the match obviously nervous. He did not play to his potential in the first set. Federer won 6-3. I posted a comment on Facebook…

“Fed vs del Potro…Fed is too tough, but you NEVER know, esp if del Pot goes all out…”

No one believed me.

Am I psychic? No, so what happened?

At the beginning of the match, del Potro was not playing his game. He was nervous and he looked nervous. He was holding back.

The worst thing you can do on the tennis court is to hold back. I knew if del Potro fought through his nerves and went all out like in his other matches, he had a chance.

Even if he went all out and lost, that would be better than holding back and winning.

Take a moment and think about something that you’re holding back in; something that you don’t want to do.

I don’t feel like going to the gym before work.
I don’t feel like doing the bills.
I don’t feel like studying.

Now go and do it anyway…go all out today!



Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #780 THERE’S NOTHING YOU CANNOT DO…

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There’s nothing to fear –
you’re as good as the best,
As strong as the mightiest, too.
You can win in every battle or test;
For there’s no one just like you.
There’s only one you in the world today;
So nobody else, you see,
Can do your work in as fine a way:
You’re the only you there’ll be!
So face the world, and all life is yours
To conquer and love and live:
And you’ll find the happiness that endures
In just the measure you give;
There’s nothing too good for you to possess,
Nor heights where you cannot go:
Your power is more than belief or guess –
It is something you have to know.
There is nothing to fear –
you can and you will.
For you are the invincible you.
Set your foot on the highest hill –
There’s nothing you cannot do.

-Author Unknown

MESSAGE #779 WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN…

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From Arthur Ashe on Tennis…

“It is not just the more talented player who wins. Some players may try a little harder. Some players may be a little smarter with strategy and tactics. Some players may be in better shape. Some players may have a better temperament for the game. All of those things, added up, can negate a talent advantage. For instance, if you ask who was more talented in his prime, John McEnroe or Jimmy Connors, it’s no contest: McEnroe. But if you look at the number of pro tournaments each has won, there is no comparison: Connors has one hundred and nine, McEnroe has seventy-seven. (Connors also leads in Grand Slam singles titles, eight to seven.) To be a winner, you must be a fierce competitor as well as a shot maker.”

Desire wins. Want it more than you’re afraid of it….

It doesn’t matter if it’s on the field, in the classroom or in the boardroom.


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #778 I DID THE IMPOSSIBLE!!

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“The most exquisite paradox: As soon as you give it all up you can have it all.”
-RAM DASS

Today I did the impossible.

I hate running. Well, I like interval running, but I hate jogging. I know it’s all about conditioning, but I just have never gotten into it.

This morning, I took a yoga class with the great Senthil Kumar and although I love his classes, my favorite part is when we are sitting outside of the mind.body.spirit room, putting on our shoes; we always have a philosophical discussion. Senthil learned yoga in India, so he is very knowledgeable on the ancient texts and “internal” aspects of yoga, instead of the Western type of yoga which many people think is just “stretching.”

Today we talked about awareness and limiting beliefs. And how we all have the tools inside of us. I was very energized by our conversation, and the whole way home I was reflecting on it.

And as I pulled into my neighborhood, I remembered talking to Senthil about breathing and sports. He said that while running, you should inhale deeply through the nose and exhale deeply through the nose. Your exterior is moving quickly, but your interior is relaxed.

I sometimes run a lap around my neighborhood. I always stop about three times. Well, today I was inspired and wanted to try running around my neighborhood using the ancient breathing technique. I actually visualized myself doing it and doing it pretty easily.

“I’m going to do it!”

So I pulled into my parking space and left everything in the car. I didn’t even have socks or my running shoes on.

I broke out into a jog and started running, focusing on breathing deeply in through the nose and out through the nose, all while keeping my body relaxed.

I started off okay, and then the breathing became harder. But I remembered Senthil saying that you just have to get used to it, so I stuck with it. And after a little while longer, it got easier. I was actually doing what I visualized.

I ran the whole way without stopping!

And I wasn’t even winded; I could have kept going. Not bad for someone who hates running, huh?

After a few deep diaphragmatic breaths, my heart rate was back to normal and I mentally gave myself a pat on the back.

So what does this mean?

“As soon as you give it all up, you can have it all.”

Give up your limiting beliefs about yourself. Believe that anything is possible – because it is.

Give up material possessions – you already have happiness inside.

And give up comparing yourself to others or dwelling on the past or future.

The beauty is NOW. The power is in the present. That’s all we need.

What limiting belief will you let go today?


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #777 9/11 ANNIVERSARY

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“Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.”
-JOE TORRE

I miss the Twin Towers.

There isn’t a time when I look at the New York City skyline and don’t think about the World Trade Center.

Yesterday, I attended a lecture on success by Bill Boggs, four-time Emmy Award-winning talk show host at the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce Business Luncheon. Boggs has interviewed some of the most successful people of the last century. He shared some of their tips on success.

It was interesting to hear that Sinatra said, “Sometimes you have to scrape bottom in life to understand how really wonderful life can be.”

And that Donald Trump said you cannot achieve great things in life without developing mental toughness.

Boggs said Mario Cuomo talked about the value of hard work.

Bill also interviewed Philippe Petit, the Frenchman who walked on a wire across the Twin Towers. Boggs spoke to him the day after he accomplished “The Artistic Crime of the Century” (Time Magazine). Petit said that it didn’t matter if that wire was two feet off the ground or two hundred feet; he was attached to that wire.

The documentary, “Man on Wire” was about Philippe Petit’s amazing feat on August 7, 1974, including his planning and philosophy on “living life on a tightrope.”

It was a sign that Boggs mentioned this movie that I had been meaning to see. So last night I rented the documentary and realized I would be watching it on the eve of 9/11. I got chills.

I had mixed emotions watching shots of the Twin Towers. There was sadness, appreciation of beauty and sheer awe.

This was an amazing film on many levels. And there were so many life lessons throughout.

I loved how Petit practiced in France with friends bouncing on the wire, simulating the potential wind and swaying of the towers. (Practicing Perfect)

“If you want something, nothing is impossible.”

Philippe Petit planned the 1,340 foot-high walk for six years and said that he never once thought about the walk. He was focusing on the planning of it. (Process versus Product)

“Improvisation and intuition should be taught in school. That brings intense joy and expression.” (Mindfulness)

“To me it’s really so simple that life should be lived on the edge of life. You have to exercise rebellion. To refuse to taper yourself to rules. To refuse your own success. To refuse to repeat yourself. To see every day, every year, every idea, as a true challenge. And then you are going to live your life on a tightrope.”

And finally…

“If you are passionate, you are going to do what you love to do all day long and you are going to be the best at it.”

Today, take a moment to remember 9/11. It’s okay to be sad, but remember what Joe Torre said, “Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.”

Torre’s former player, Derek Jeter may make history in New York tonight, on the anniversary of 9/11, as he tries to surpass the great Lou Gehrig, and become the Yankees all-time hit leader with 2, 722 hits in the pinstripes.

Have a great day, everyone.

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #776

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“As the fletcher whittles and makes straight his arrows, so the master directs his straying thoughts.”
-THE BUDDHA

MESSAGE #775 ONE SHOT AT A TIME…

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“…we often still find ourselves disengaged from our own clarity, moving along without thinking…”
-From “Light Comes Through” by Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche

Autopilot is not good.

Many athletes are on autopilot.

Many students are on autopilot.

What we need to do is live moment to moment. We need to stay in the present.

When we play a point in tennis, we should treat it as if it’s the only point we are going to play that day.

When we are working on a project at work, we should treat it as the only thing we are going to do that day.

School, relationships and our nutrition are the same way.

Take a few deep breaths (in through the nose for four seconds and out through the nose for four seconds, from the stomach)

Observe your surroundings.

What are you wearing?

What sounds do you hear?

Notice your posture.

What position are your hands in?

Whatever you do, put all of your attention and awareness towards it. Be fully present.

Try this in everything you do today. See how you feel…

Leave me your comments.


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #774 BELIEVE!!

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Yesterday, Melanie Oudin did it again at the US Open.

The 17 year-old from Georgia scored yet another upset, by beating Nadia Petrova.

I hope by reading my blog messages this past week, you are starting to believe that anything is possible on and off the court. Many great players have lost to no-name players. It’s not about the ranking, it’s about who plays better on that day.

In my book, “Game. Set. Life.” I talk about Brad Gilbert’s philosophy, according to Andre Agassi…

“One of the biggest things I’ve gotten from Brad is how to stay in a match when things aren’t going my way. He believes that 5 percent of the time your opponent is in the zone and you won’t win; 5 percent of the time you’re in the zone and you can’t lose. But the other 90 percent of the time, it’s up for grabs; there is a way to win. You’ve got to figure out what that is. And to do that you’ve got to stay positive. You’ve got to believe.”

Melanie Oudin is certainly following that philosophy.

In fact, written on her pink and yellow Adidas Barricade tennis shoes is this…

“BELIEVE”


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #773 I’M IN LOVE WITH A GIRL NAMED KIM…

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“I’m not really playing for the money. I just want to go out there and have fun. I really missed it so much…”
-KIM CLIJSTERS

I’m in love with Kim Clijsters. The US Open is only the third tournament of her comeback since becoming a new mother. She last played two and a half years ago.

Now she’s back.

I wasn’t a big fan of hers before her break, but after watching her play and upset Venus Williams yesterday, I am totally in love with her. She’s doing all the right things.

She is going all out.
She is having fun.
She knows it isn’t life or death.

After the match you could see how emotional she was, but also had things in perspective. She didn’t need to win. But she wanted to win.

And Clijsters knew she had a chance. Here is her “tweet” just before her match…

“On our way to the courts now. Feeling excited! There’s been a lot of upsets in the women’s draw, hopefully I can pull one today too!”

I know it’s a bold prediction, but I think that Kim Clijsters will win the US Open.

Time will tell.

Happy Labor Day everyone!

MESSAGE #772 MORE UPSETS IN THE US OPEN…

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Yesterday I was at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center for another beautiful day of US Open tennis.

But for some of the top players, it wasn’t so beautiful.

Maria Sharapova lost.

Andy Roddick lost.

Dinara Safina lost.

As I mentioned in yesterday’s message, anything can happen.

In the world of running, Roger Bannister ran a four-minute mile in 1954, after all the experts said it was impossible. Then, thirty-eight people did the same thing the following year.

The same thing is happening now at the 2009 US Open. The youngsters are invading. The underdogs are prevailing. They know they have a chance. And so do the top players.

My condolences to Sharapova, Roddick and Safina. Here are my tips to you…

1. Winners know that a loss is a source of feedback.
2. There is no such thing as failure, only new beginnings.
3. You don’t drown by falling in water, you drown by staying there.
4. A loss is like a knife, it can either serve you or cut you. It’s your choice whether you grasp them by the blade or the handle.
5. Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.

Tuesday I will be back at the Open bright and early doing tennis trivia in the ticket line with Denise Capriati and giving away a few signed copies of my book, “Game. Set. Life.”

Thanks for reading.