MESSAGE #1544 CONFIDENCE
Confidence is not a feeling.
Confidence is an ACTION.
MESSAGE #1542 DON’T USE YOUR REARVIEW MIRROR
I have a question for you.
When you drive, do you ONLY use your rearview mirror?
Of course not; if you did, you would crash.
Well, as athletes and coaches we often focus on the past, or what’s behind us. Perhaps we’re focusing on the last shot we missed, or the fact that we haven’t won a game in a few days. Regardless of what we are thinking about, if it’s not the present moment, we’re not going to perform at our peak.
If you shouldn’t drive watching the rearview mirror, don’t compete dwelling on the past.
Focus on the present and watch your results change.
MESSAGE #1540 DID YOU FIND THE MISTAKE?
In blog Message #1539 (below), there was a mistake. Did you find it?
The mistake was that the word “the” appeared twice. Most people miss it because there is a blind spot in your brain which overlooks the extra word. This blind spot is called a scotoma.
You were on automatic while reading it and even though there were no negative consequences, there may be if you do this in your sport/life.
Automatic is good if you are performing well, but if you were on autopilot in a competition, you may not notice things or be able to make adjustments to play your best game. Every strategy works against someone. No strategy works against everyone.
Don’t get me wrong, you don’t have to be mindful in everything you do, but peak performers are while practicing, competing, studying, working, etc.
And you can do the same.
Ed Tseng
Director of Mental Conditioning
Monroe Sports Center
609.558.1077
MESSAGE #1537 A MESSAGE FROM GANDHI
“Men often become what they believe themselves to be. If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it. But when I believe I can, then I acquire the ability.”
MESSAGE #1535 IMPORTANT VS SPECIAL
Treat every game, match, exam, practice, presentation and day as if it is IMPORTANT…
But not as if it is SPECIAL.
Give your full effort, but don’t put too much pressure on it (or yourself).
MESSAGE #1534 DAMN YANKEES
Well, the season is officially over for the New York Yankees. It was a memorable season with Jeter’s 3,000th hit and Mariano’s all-time save record, but as a team, the Bombers did not reach their goal.
Sports are difficult. There are so many factors that go into a game that you can never predict the results. The Yankees don’t like losing, but what impressed me were the Yankee quotes after the loss. Nick Swisher was talking about how he is now extra motivated and looking forward to working out and preparing for next season. Others said that they have no regrets because they gave it their all.
A setback is a setup for a comeback.
Whether you are a Yankee fan or not, you have to admit they are professionals.
Congratulations, Tigers.
MESSAGE #1533 LEADERS
“When things aren’t going well, it’s not what a leader says, it’s how a leader looks that matters.”
-Mike Kryzewski, Duke Men’s Basketball