MESSAGE #1129 THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT…
PRACTICE AS IF YOU ARE THE WORST.
COMPETE AS IF YOU ARE THE BEST.
MESSAGE #1126 A BREAKTHROUGH
Do yourself a favor and watch this!
MESSAGE #1125 GREATNESS
ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Regardless of title, bank balance or age, each individual has the ability to be a force for good. One person can make a difference. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” (From Success Magazine)
Is it good enough to be great at your sport or job?
Or is part of greatness making a difference in the world, being a role model or inspiring others?
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wanting to be the best in the world, as long as you are being the best FOR the world.
Go all out. Lead by example.
Start today.
MESSAGE #1118 ANGER MANAGEMENT
I often see athletes get angry after they strike out, or after they miss a shot. This happens all the time, at all levels, from beginner to professional.
But does this help them?
No.
Why would you do something that won’t help you?
What is anger, anyway?
It’s a choice, isn’t it?
Anger is merely your reaction to a certain situation.
Can you control it?
Yes.
Is it easy?
Not necessarily.
But it’s like anything else, with practice, it becomes easier.
So the next time you feel like getting angry, take a deep breath instead, and think about if you want to get angry, or if you want to stay focused and get back on track.
MESSAGE #1115 SECRET EQUATION
This morning I was listening to a great speaker and coach, Micah Lancaster. He said something I thought was brilliant…
2+2=0
Too negative plus Too lazy equals Nothing.
I like that.
More on Micah coming soon…
MESSAGE #1114 GREAT ATHLETES
Here is something brilliant I read recently…
Average athlete:
Feels good,
plays good.
Feels bad,
plays bad.
Good athlete:
Feels good,
plays good.
Feels bad,
plays good.
Great athlete:
Feels good,
plays great.
Feels bad,
plays great.
-ROB GILBERT
MESSAGE #1110 SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE
Most successful people are not especially talented, educated, charming or good-looking.
They become successful because they WANT to be successful.
How badly do you want to be a great athlete, musician, student, parent or artist?
MESSAGE #1109 GO FOR IT
They say you can’t steal second by keeping your foot on first.
What does this mean?
You have to get out of your comfort zone.
You have to take a chance.
Here is Luis Nunez of the Trenton Thunder taking a chance on a ball hit in the gap.
MESSAGE #1106 NERVES
Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great Brandon Laird of the New York Yankees.
On Sunday night, Brandon Laird was promoted from Double-A Trenton Thunder to Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees. He went home, packed his bags and left the next morning to meet his new team in Syracuse for his Triple-A debut Monday night.
He was nervous.
He then proceeded to go 4-for-4 with two home runs.
How did he do it?
He didn’t act how he felt. In the time that I spent with Brandon this season, I figured out one of his secrets.
When he is in a pressure situation, he takes a few deep breaths and tells himself that he’s been in this situation before, then “just does it.”
The first pitch he swung at went over the right-center field wall. Laird then hit two singles and another home run over the left field wall.
“I was just getting pitches to hit and putting good swings on them,” Laird said. “I know my zone. I look for my pitch. I got it a few times tonight. Hitting all over the field, that’s what I wanted to do.”
“I just wanted to put a consistent approach together, learn how they pitch me, how they pitch the players in front of me,” Laird said of trying to transfer that success. “Earlier in the game, I was (nervous). After that first at-bat, I settled down a little bit.”
Notice how many times Laird said the word, “just.”
The first time I spoke with the Yankee prospect, I asked him about his best home run. He gave a similar response, using the word “just.”
I then reached into my pocket and took out a folded piece of paper and showed it to him.
It said, “JUST.”
Am I psychic? No, I just know what it takes.
In peak performances, the athlete has a simple approach (something he can control) and then just trusts his swing.
Yogi Berra once said, “You can’t think and hit at the same time.”
So true.
Congrats, Brandon. Keep up the good work.
Laird next to the clubhouse before his last game in Trenton
MESSAGE #1101 THE FACTS OF LIFE (AND SPORT)
Whatever is real, your mind accepts as fact.
Whatever is imagined, your mind accepts as fact.
What does this mean?
1. Practice visualizing your perfect stroke, it’s almost as good as physically doing it.
2. Focus on things that you want to happen, not things you don’t want to happen.
3. Imagine different scenarios that may occur and think about how you will react when those situations arise–then you will be prepared.