MESSAGE #460 DO THE IMPOSSIBLE!

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Nobody knows you better than you. So don’t worry about those people who don’t believe in you – they don’t know you! I know anything is possible and that if you want anything badly enough, you can achieve it…

“Doctors and scientists said that breaking the four-minute mile was impossible, that one would die in the attempt. Thus, when I got up from the track after collapsing at the finish line, I figured I was dead.”

–Roger Bannister (After becoming the first person to break the four-minute mile, 1952)

And guess what? After Bannister broke the four-minute mile, 37 others did so as well within the following year.

Impossible?

Never.


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #459 The SCARRRY Truth…

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great Stephanie Sheldon.

I think that what you do when you can’t do any more reps is who you are. It’s what you’re made of. What you do at the end of the work day when you’re tired is who you are. What you do at the end of the school day when you can’t take it any longer is who you are.

When you push yourself, you’re actually pushing yourself through to another level. That’s progress – that’s success in my book. We only have one shot on this Earth at this thing called life…

Do you want to be average, or do you want to be great?

Do you want to stay comfortable, or do you want to leave a legacy?

If you shoot for mediocrity, the highest you can get is…

Mediocrity.

What are you shooting for?


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #458 FINISH WHAT YOU START…

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Congratulations to the Philadelphia Phillies for a championship season!

Do you finish what you start?

I’ve gotten some great feedback from people who loved my book.

I’ve also heard that some people haven’t started it yet or are still on the first chapter.

Did you know that most people who buy a book don’t read past the first chapter?

What does that tell you?

Yesterday, I received a phone call from one of my heroes.

She plays tennis, soccer and football…

and she is legally blind.

For those of you who read “Game. Set. Life.” you know that this person is Jenny Murphy. Jenny called to tell me that she loved the book and to thank me for including her in it. But that’s not what impressed me.

What impressed me was that Jenny read the book in one day! It takes Jenny at least twice as long as most readers to finish a book, and she did it faster than most people. And she finished what she started!

What have you started but haven’t finished yet?

Be like Jenny.

For more on Jenny Murphy, go to Message #176.


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #457

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great Amy Perpetua.

“I now know with a conviction beyond all doubt that the biggest problem you and I have to deal with – in fact, almost the only problem we have to deal with – is choosing the right thoughts. If we can do that, we will be on the high road to solving all our problems. The great philosopher who ruled the Roman Empire, Marcus Aurelius, summed it up in eight words, eight words that can determine your destiny: ‘Our life is what our thoughts make it.’

Yes, if we think happy thoughts, we will be happy. If we think miserable thoughts, we will be miserable. If we think fear thoughts, we will be fearful. If we think sickly thoughts, we probably will be ill. If we think failure, we will certainly fail. If we wallow in self-pity, everyone will want to shun us and avoid us. Am I advocating a Pollyanna attitude toward all our problems? No. Unfortunately, life isn’t that simple. But I am advocating – in the strongest of terms – that we assume a positive attitude instead of a negative one.”

-Dale Carnegie



Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #456 BE A SANTA…

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great Justin Cohen.

The best way to help yourself is by helping others. Some of you bought my book on Sunday, and I appreciate that, but not that many people bought it. Many people say they are going to do things, but they don’t.

I’m going to go on a diet.

I’m going to quit smoking.

I’m going to take up the guitar.

And it wasn’t about me making money because I’m not going to see a penny of it. It’s going to the NJTL of Trenton.

Okay, I forgive you and here’s your chance to redeem yourself…

Be a santa! I am a captain for Stockings with Care this year.

Stockings with Care is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to making sure that families in need have everything they need to create the magic of Christmas morning for their kids. Last year, Stockings with Care played Santa to over 2000 kids. For us, it’s about opening hearts, inspiring dreams and preserving the dignity of parents and their families.


Stockings with Care works with coalitions that assist families either living in homeless shelters or who are in jeopardy of becoming homeless and can not afford to celebrate their holiday. Social workers at each of these coalitions work with the parents to make their wish lists. These lists are passed on to Stockings with Care. Through the generosity of our individual Santas, private and corporate donors and a small army of volunteers, we make sure that every child gets at least two things on their list and that each child has at least three gifts to open on Christmas morning. Thousands of gifts are wrapped and delivered to the parents, empowering them to create magic for their kids.

Of course, lots of kids ask for what every kids wants – toys. But there are an equal number of requests for life’s essentials. Clothes. Books. Strollers, Diapers. One year, a child even asked for dog food so that they didn’t have to give up the family dog that they could no longer afford. We delivered a year’s supply of dog food.

Stockings With Care was founded in 1992 by Rosalie Joseph and Tom Fontana. And every year since then, sometime in early October, we come together to make this happen. There is no office. There are no salaries. Members have even donated their phone numbers for the two months leading up to the holidays. 100% of the money we raise and 100% of our volunteers’ efforts go to our kids.

We need santas! You basically just purchase a gift for a child…not a major commitment on your part, but imagine the look on the child’s face when they open it…Email me for details: .


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #454 TODAY IS THE DAY…

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to my mother and father, Mary and Vincent Tseng.

Why am I blogging on my birthday?

Because I’m dedicated to helping others.

I enjoy it.

It motivates me.

I love what I do and it’s not work to me.

I don’t see my birthday as being any different than any other day. Sure, I’m a day older today, but I was a day older yesterday, too.

For every copy of “Game. Set. Life.” purchased on Amazon.com today, I will match, sign and personally deliver one to the NJTL of Trenton so a child in need can have some inspiration for the holidays. Help make a difference…

http://www.amazon.com/Game-Set-Life-Performance-Sports/dp/1419654756

And don’t forget to stop by Amalfi’s tonight in Lawrenceville at 6pm for some food and fun. You can also order the book then…


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #453 TOMORROW IS MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY…

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I can’t wait until tomorrow…

Yes, tomorrow is my birthday, but that’s not why I’m excited.

I’m excited because for every book I sell on Amazon, I am donating a book to the NJTL of Trenton, a non -profit that provides tennis, education and nutrition to children in need. I am going to sign and personally deliver the books to their office in time for the holidays. I’m not going to make money on my birthday, but I’m going to do something better…

I’m going to make a difference.

See, life is not about how much you get – life’s about how much you give.

So please buy my book tomorrow on Amazon…email all your friends, family and co-workers, post it on your status on facebook, tell everyone following you on twitter, and if you can’t afford $15, beg, borrow, but don’t steal…It will help out a child in need and it will be your way of making a difference.

“I wanted to spend my life doing something that made a difference in the lives of others.”

-Joe Holland


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #452 NEGATIVE NEGATIVE NEGATIVE…

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great Marc Stephens and everyone in Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity, Montclair chapter.

Recently, I was at a tennis club, observing some teaching professionals. It’s quite interesting to me how there are so many different teaching styles. There is no right or wrong way, but I have noticed a common theme.

Many coaches are negative and they use negative reinforcement.

I was watching a teaching pro work with a pretty advanced player. I noticed something scary. The only thing I heard out of his mouth and the only body language I saw was negative. I must have counted at least 34 negative comments in 30 minutes.

The boy would hit a shot and miss his target and the pro would ask, “Why are you doing that?!” Many coaches even make players run or do conditioning when they perform poorly. I don’t believe in that. I think that’s “old school” coaching.

I then looked at the boy and he just put his head down and looked at the court.

How do you think this boy performed?

How do you think this boy felt about himself?

How much fun do you think this boy had playing tennis?

*Coaches/teachers/parents/managers listen up…

You have to catch people doing something right! When you compliment someone for doing something well, even if it’s something trivial, not only will that person feel good, but they will more likely do that again. What you focus on, you will receive.

You can’t get positive results from negative thoughts.


So start making positive comments and you will start seeing positive results.

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #451 MAKE IT GREAT…AND MAKE IT KNOWN

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to all the volunteers for Stockings with Care.

I’m giving a talk today to the business fraternity and students at Montclair State University. I am looking forward to it. Looking forward to meeting new people and hopefully motivating new people. I like to think that I’m making a difference.

Tonight, I have a meeting for the non-profit, Stockings with Care in New York City. “Stockings” provides toys, books, clothes, diapers and more for families in need. One year, a child asked for dog food so they could afford to keep their family companion. Stockings with Care sent a year’s worth of dog food. Making a difference.

I can’t tell you how much time I spend promoting my book and my motivational talks. And I can’t tell you how much of a buzz is being created around the world.

It’s not enough to be doing good things…people have to know about it. Put yourself out there.

So if you want to make more friends, go to where people are spending time.

If you want to get more clients, go to more networking events.

If you want to promote your concert at Carnegie Hall, start printing some flyers.

“It’s not only what you know, but who you know and who knows YOU.”

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #450 CREATE THE LIFE YOU WANT…

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to all the great students and staff that I spent time with yesterday at Montclair State University.

Some people consider me successful.

Want to know a secret?

Nobody rang my doorbell and handed it to me…I took action. I created the life that I now live.

So you shouldn’t wait and “see what life brings.” Instead, figure out what you want and start taking action.

Yesterday I had a very powerful day – for many reasons.

I spoke at the great Dr. Gilbert’s class at Montclair State University with some amazing people. Coach McCarthy was there. Coach Ventre was there. Poet, Dennis Howe was there. Colbert, an up-and-coming actor from Brazil was there. Melissa Sapio (perfect 4.0 in college) was there.

After that, I attended Professor Sapio’s psychology class because they had a paper due on “Game. Set. Life.” I spoke to and received feedback from these great students. A young man named Jose said my book “rocked his world.” How can you not get energized by that?

I’m a very motivated person, but just being around these inspiring people brought me to another level. Motivation breeds motivation.

One of the things that I learned yesterday was that Emily Dickinson NEVER published her poetry! She kept her poems hidden in a closet and after she passed away, they became published.

So what are you hiding from the world? What kind of life do you want to create? Why aren’t you starting today?

Thanks for reading.

Reminder: Tell everyone you know to purchase a copy of “Game. Set. Life” on my birthday, October 26th on Amazon. Don’t do it for me…Every book I sell on that date will be matched with one donated one book to an inner-city child in the National Junior Tennis League of Trenton. Help make a difference.