Practice Perfect Archives - Page 3 of 12

MESSAGE #1221 KEEP GOING

November 26, 2010/0 Comments/in Attitude, Confidence, Effort, Fear, Focus, Goal Setting, mental toughness, Motivation, Overcoming Adversity, Performing Under Pressure, Practice Perfect, Relaxation / Stress Reduction, Visualization /by admin

With Billie Jean King at my US Open book signing

Champions keep playing until they get it right.
-BILLIE JEAN KING

I once had a student who began playing tournaments. In her first tournament, she lost first round. In the next tournament, she had the same result. And the next, and the next. For practically the first year, she didn’t get past the first round.

I told her, “This is a great way to improve, learn and develop as a player.”

She agreed with me, although she wanted better results. Well, she stuck with it and then started getting results.

She started winning some matches. She got to the 2nd round, then the 3rd and now it is rare if she doesn’t make it to at least the semifinals. She is also on her high school varsity team.

Most people give up too soon. They want immediate results. The great ones persist.

You need to hang on until you catch on.

Winning may feel good temporarily, but you learn more from losses.

The two most important questions you can ask yourself after a game/match/practice session are:

1. On a scale of 1 to 10, how did I play?

2. What can I do differently next time to get to a 10?

Focus on constant improvement and as a by-product, you will win more.

MESSAGE #1216 ACTION

November 21, 2010/0 Comments/in Attitude, Confidence, Effort, Fear, Focus, Goal Setting, Gratitude, mental toughness, Motivation, Overcoming Adversity, Performing Under Pressure, Practice Perfect, Relaxation / Stress Reduction, Teamwork, Visualization /by admin

Today’s message is especially dedicated to all the great basketball/tennis players, coaches and parents that attended my “Mental Edge” seminar.

In my seminar today, in conjunction with the great Micah Lancaster’s basketball session, I talked about how to get the mental edge in sports and life. I shared some of the mental secrets of the world’s greatest athletes.

One of the keys I stressed was that knowing the mental secrets was not good enough–you need to APPLY them.

Information is nothing without implementation.

Everyone knows what they need to do, but most people don’t do it.

And here’s the secret…

A real champion does what they need to do, when they need to do it, whether they feel like it or not.

You don’t have to feel like a champion to act like a champion. It’s a choice, and it can begin right now.

A special thanks to Brian Klatsky for making “The Mental Edge” possible today.

MESSAGE #1188 EMBARRASSING

October 24, 2010/0 Comments/in Attitude, Confidence, Fear, Focus, mental toughness, Overcoming Adversity, Performing Under Pressure, Practice Perfect, Relaxation / Stress Reduction /by admin

I once had a student who hated being embarrassed. During lessons and during competition, he would just drive himself crazy thinking about what people thought about how he was playing, and what they would think if he lost, or missed a shot.

Guess how he played?

Poorly!

The reason why this type of focus hurts your performance is because when you focus on external factors, you are not focusing on what is going to help you play your best game.

The way to play your best game is to focus on your strategy, your effort, your attitude. If your strategy isn’t working, make an adjustment.

The key is to NOT let anything external have any influence over you.

Is it hard?

Sure.

Is it a choice?

Definitely.

MESSAGE #1170 SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY

October 6, 2010/0 Comments/in Attitude, Confidence, Effort, Fear, Focus, mental toughness, Motivation, Practice Perfect, Visualization /by admin

The other day I was getting ready to teach a young boy. Before we went on the court, I said, “This just might be the best lesson you’ve ever had.”

“I thought EVERY LESSON is the best I’ve ever had?” he responded.

I liked his answer.

So we went on the court and his energy level was exceptionally high, even in the warmup. We started hitting and he was totally focused and high-energy.

It truly was one of the best lessons he ever had.

And he created it in his mind first.

The problem with many people is that either they act how they feel or they think negatively.

And that’s what they get. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Does your day determine your attitude, or does your attitude determine your day?

MESSAGE #1150 YOU ARE NOT WONDERFUL

September 17, 2010/0 Comments/in Attitude, Confidence, Fear, mental toughness, Practice Perfect /by admin

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

MESSAGE #1141 THIS IS WHAT STOPS MOST PEOPLE…

September 7, 2010/0 Comments/in Attitude, Confidence, Effort, Fear, Focus, Goal Setting, mental toughness, Motivation, Overcoming Adversity, Performing Under Pressure, Practice Perfect, Relaxation / Stress Reduction, Teamwork, Visualization /by admin

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.

MESSAGE #1132 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH GOLD-MEDAL SKIER, LINDSEY VONN

August 29, 2010/0 Comments/in Attitude, Confidence, Effort, Fear, fitness, Focus, Goal Setting, mental toughness, Motivation, Overcoming Adversity, Performing Under Pressure, Practice Perfect, Relaxation / Stress Reduction, Visualization /by admin

MESSAGE #1129 THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT…

August 26, 2010/0 Comments/in Attitude, Confidence, Effort, Fear, Focus, mental toughness, Motivation, Overcoming Adversity, Performing Under Pressure, Practice Perfect, Relaxation / Stress Reduction, Visualization /by admin

PRACTICE AS IF YOU ARE THE WORST.

COMPETE AS IF YOU ARE THE BEST.

MESSAGE #1128 BUMPS IN THE ROAD…

August 25, 2010/0 Comments/in Attitude, Confidence, Effort, Fear, Focus, Goal Setting, mental toughness, Motivation, Overcoming Adversity, Performing Under Pressure, Practice Perfect, Relaxation / Stress Reduction /by admin

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!

MESSAGE #1126 A BREAKTHROUGH

August 23, 2010/0 Comments/in Attitude, Confidence, Effort, Fear, fitness, Focus, Goal Setting, Gratitude, mental toughness, Motivation, Overcoming Adversity, Performing Under Pressure, Practice Perfect, Relaxation / Stress Reduction, Teamwork, Visualization /by admin

Do yourself a favor and watch this!