MESSAGE #480
Don’t tell the world what you’re going to do…
SHOW IT!
MESSAGE #478 CHOICES…
Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great Sandy Zio…Happy Birthday to a rock star!
I like to think that I have some important messages on my blog, in my book, and when I give motivational talks. But those important messages are nothing if you don’t do anything about them – if you don’t take action.
K – A = O (Knowledge minus Action equals Nothing)
Let me explain in a story…
A violin virtuoso living in America truly believed that he could play so well that he could actually charm a savage beast. Despite the warnings and pleas of his friends, he decided he would go to the jungles of Africa, unarmed, with only his violin to protect him. He stood in a clearing in the dense jungle and began to play. An elephant picked up his scent, and came charging toward him; but when he came within hearing distance, he sat down to listen to the beautiful music.
A hungry cat sprang from a tree with fangs bared but it, too, succumbed to the music. Soon a lion appeared to join the others. Before long, many wild beasts were seated near the virtuoso. He played on, unharmed.
Just then a leopard leaped from a nearby tree onto the violinist, and devoured him! As he stood licking his chops, the other animals approached, and asked, “Why did you do that? The man was playing such lovely music!”
The leopard, cupping his ear, said, “Eh, what’d you say?”
So it doesn’t matter what I put on this blog, if you don’t start to apply it to your own life. Don’t think about it…just do it.
Thanks for reading.
Looking for the perfect stocking stuffer?
Order “Game. Set. Life.” today… http://www.amazon.com/Game-Set-Life-Performance-Sports/dp/1419654756
Register now for the sports psychology event of the year on February 21, 2009. John F. Murray, noted sports psychologist and Ed Tseng will be conducting a half-day seminar at CanDo Fitness – Princeton. Email for details.
MESSAGE #477 DON’T READ THIS MESSAGE IF YOU’RE MOTIVATED…
If you’re already motivated…DON’T READ TODAY’S MESSAGE!
I don’t know for sure how many people stopped reading, but I’m pretty sure that no one did.
Nobody ever says they’re too motivated. It’s 4:58AM and I am very motivated, but I’m not TOO motivated. Anyone can be motivated one day, but the key is to be motivated every day. I couldn’t wait to get up this morning, to me, that’s a good sign.
My friend, Rob Gurden is also motivated right now, but he’s in California and it’s 1:58AM there. He doesn’t want to go to sleep! Another good sign. Rob is getting ready to help open a new Gambill Tennis Academy in Orange County, CA.
It takes a lot to impress me, but I’m impressed by Rob and I’m impressed by people who take the time to email me to say that they are applying the principles that I teach and striving to become better. I’m not impressed by people who say they are going to do things. “I should have done this” or “I should have done that.” Don’t listen to the old prophet, Ishoulda. Take action!
I’m not impressed by big homes or fancy cars. You can keep your hip clothes and tiny cell phone.
I am impressed by people that are taking action to improve. People that are moving forward. People that help others. People who know that riches on the outside are nothing without riches on the inside.
You don’t have to be great at the start, but you need to start to be great.
So go ahead, impress me…at work…at school…at practice…at home.
Thanks for reading.
MESSAGE #476 WHAT I LIKE ABOUT MYSELF…
Today’s message is especially dedicated to Jon Heitmann, assistant principal at Glen Ridge High School in New Jersey.
Do you know what I like about myself?
I love learning. I love improving. I have a growth mindset. I don’t feel that there is a limit as to how skilled I can get in sports, business, relationships or any area of life.
Yesterday I watched a DVD of a motivational speaker. I figure if I could get one thing out of it, to help me improve, it would be worth it. Though I didn’t feel that it was a particularly good program, I did walk away with one new thing and I also learned what not to do.
By watching videos like that, I know that I am not just in my job, I am into my job. I feel like I haven’t worked in years.
Now I know what you’re thinking, “Ed, but you’re different.”
Guess what? I’m not different. I wasn’t always like this. I used to hate reading. My grades were only average in high school. I failed out of college…twice.
But now I have found my passion and know my goals, so every day I do a little bit to get closer to those goals.
Do what you love and love what you do. Love learning and love improving. Become a little better every day. It doesn’t matter where you are, what matters is where you want to go.
You can do it…trust me, I know from experience.
Thanks for reading.
MESSAGE #475 TOUGHNESS…
Are you tough?
What do you do when the pressure’s on?
The losers think, “I’m nervous, I don’t like this situation.”…and perform poorly.
The winners think, “I’m nervous, bring it on…let’s go!”…and reach peak performance.
When the pressure’s on, it’s your perception of the situation that will pull you through.
“Success is never found. Failure is never fatal. Courage is the only thing.”
-Sir Winston Churchill
Thanks for reading.
MESSAGE #473 DON’T DO THIS…
Ed donating a copy of “Game. Set. Life.” to the Arthur Ashe Library, one of the top tennis collections in the world.
Today’s message is especially dedicated to all the great staff, parents, and players at Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education in Philadelphia, PA.
Yesterday, I began my talk at Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education by saying that all success in tennis begins on the six inch tennis court between your ears. Your mind is a powerful thing and it is your choice whether you use it in a positive way or a negative way.
There was a female tennis pro who, when very young, witnessed her mother have a heart attack and die suddenly in a dentist chair. And for 30 years, this woman refused to go to the dentist.
Finally, her teeth were in such poor condition that she HAD to go to the dentist. So she sat in the dentist’s chair, and something shocking happened…
The woman had a sudden heart attack and died in the dentist chair!
So she mentally killed herself. This is an example of how we can use our minds in a negative way.
You will never totally eliminate negative thoughts, but if you focus on them for so long that they paralyze you, there’s a problem.
Be your own inner coach instead of inner critic.
Thanks for reading.
MESSAGE #472 CAN VS WILL
Here is an email I received recently…
Ed,
I just finished your book….Very inspiring. I am working at becoming the athlete I once was and the book definitely gave me big push. My wife, Kathy and I are going to run a marathon in 2010 in Kauai. I am also running a half marathon this summer. I have never been a runner but the thought of running a marathon is an intriguing goal. So a few weeks ago, we came up with this plan. I have about 35 lbs to lose to get in shape for this and I plan on keeping those pounds off. I was in NYC yesterday and must have walked eight miles in my dress shoes. This morning I woke up and my feet were killing me. I really did not want to go running at 6:30am with my feet and back hurting, but after just completing your book (on the train home from the city) I felt like if I didn’t go for my morning run I would be letting myself down. It has been a long time since I felt that way, so thanks.
-Ted Borsuk
So the question isn’t “Can you?”
The question is…
“Will you?”
Thanks for reading.
MESSAGE #471 DON’T BE PREDICTABLE…
As a tennis player, the last thing you want to do is to be predictable. If your opponent knows what you’re going to do and what is coming to them, they will have it made. So change up your strategy, mix in some different spins, hit to different targets, and change up the pace of your shots.
If you’re a teacher, you can’t do the same lesson plan every day. Your students will lose interest. As a speaker, I vary my delivery, so I am unpredictable, and I keep my audience’s attention. If your favorite restaurant served the same thing over and over and over again, wouldn’t you get sick of it? That’s what specials are for.
Watch the video below on the unpredictable cat.
MESSAGE #470 A LOTTA PEOPLE DO THIS…
Today’s message is especially dedicated to Ms. Kontos’ wonderful students.
Do you do a little a lot or a lot a little?
Let me explain…
If you do a little a lot, you are doing a small amount often, or frequently.
If you do a lot a little, you are doing a large amount not very often, or infrequently.
Situation #1: You practice tennis one hour a day, six days a week.
Situation #2: You practice tennis six hours a day, one day a week.
Who will perform better?
Situation #1: You study for one hour a day, six days a week.
Situation #2: You study for six hours a day, one day a week.
Who will perform better?
If you cram for an exam, you may get decent results short-term…at best.
But if you do a little bit every day, you will get great results, long-term.
Don’t cram the most important exam you’ll ever take – LIFE.
Do a little bit every day. Get a little better every day.
See, the purpose of this blog is not to give you something to eat…it’s to make you hungry. Hungry to become better and hungry to become great.
Who’s hungry?
Okay, I need to go eat…see you tomorrow.
Thanks for reading.