Recently, I was teaching a high-level high school player and we were playing a groundstroke game to 11 points.
I was up 7-1 and he said to me, “Can we play another one after this one?”
In his mind, he had already lost.
And then he really did lose.
When you think about the future, you can’t perform well in the present.
Remember what the great philosopher, Yogi Berra said, “It ain’t over til it’s over.”
This is the last year of Mariano Rivera’s contract with the Yankees. Asked if he was worried about what would happen after this year and Rivera said, “Why should I worry about something that I can’t control?”
Many times we worry about winning and losing, the economy, the weather, our opponents, but we can’t control those things. So why worry about them? That’s wasted energy.
Be like Mariano and focus on the things you can control like your effort, attitude, energy and reactions.
You might not be the best closer in major league history, but you can have the same attitude and mindset as him.
I’m not a Phillies phanatic, but I like the recent quote in the Trenton Times by the Fightin’ Phils’ Raul Ibanez.
He said, “You have to keep battling. No one’s gonna feel sorry for you. You have to go out there and you gotta believe, affirming to yourself.”
Push yourself.
Coach yourself.
Believe in yourself.
Thank you Raul and thank you to the Kolbs for bringing the article to my attention.
Jim Abbott threw a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians on September 4, 1993, and he won the game 4-0.
AND Jim Abbott was born without a right hand.
Imagine what YOU can do…
Your only disability is in your mind.
The quote below is from a recent article on school testing, specifically comparing China versus the United States, from the New York Times.
“What’s best for kids is frequent testing, where even if they do badly, they can get help and improve and have the satisfaction of doing better…Kids don’t get self-esteem by people just telling them they are wonderful.” -GREGORY CIZEK
That’s what they do in China–frequent testing.
On the other hand, many schools in the US have adopted a “No test” policy.
“Kids don’t get self-esteem by people just telling them they are wonderful.”
How does this relate to sports?
You have to compete to learn how to win. That’s where you get feedback. That’s where you grow the most. That’s where you get confidence.
Too many people don’t want to lose.
You know what?
Winners lose the most.
Think about that.
Thank you to my father, the great Vincent Tseng for sharing this article. Read the full article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/12/weekinreview/12rosenthal.html?_r=1&emc=eta1
Last night was Game 1 of the Eastern League Playoffs for the Trenton Thunder. They were facing the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, who were 16-7 against Trenton in the regular season. AND they were facing pitching ace, Kyle Drabek who was 4-0 against the Thunder this season with a 1.38 ERA.
It wasn’t looking good.
In fact, as soon as I took my regular seat in the front row, the guy next to me said, “Drabek is pitching GREAT.”
But I was optimistic.
I knew anything could happen.
And it did–the Thunder won by a score of 2-0.
So that shows you that the best team doesn’t win…the team that plays best wins.
Go all out today!
I know something about you.
You want to become successful at something.
Perhaps it’s in sports.
Perhaps it’s in business.
Perhaps it’s in school.
I know something else…
The reason why most people do not become successful.
They don’t take action.
Knowledge is only good if you use it.
It’s the start that stops most people.
You know what you need to do, so don’t think about it, just do it.
With all the great athletes I have encountered, I noticed a quality that they all share.
They all do what they need to do, when they need to do it, whether they feel like it or not.
If you’re a runner, just start running.
If you’re in sales, just start making those calls.
If you’re a student, just start studying.
It’s that simple.
PRACTICE AS IF YOU ARE THE WORST.
COMPETE AS IF YOU ARE THE BEST.
It doesn’t matter what you do, or who you are…you’re going to encounter obstacles. On the field, in the classroom, in the boardroom and at home.
Someone once said that life was a series of problem-solving events. We can’t avoid challenges or adversity.
What we can do is change our reactions to them.
I believe that in every challenge, there is a lesson to be learned. You can use adversity to your advantage. Instead of being frustrated, be fascinated. Enjoy the pressure; enjoy the challenge.
That’s what winners do.
Act like a winner today!