Posts

MESSAGE #1049 FLORIDA DAY 4

/0 Comments/in /by

Yesterday was another great day here in South Florida. We headed to Sawgrass Recreation Center and cruised through the Everglades searching for alligators. I then held a baby gator in my hands (above).

Talk about mental toughness!

After that we headed up to Delray Beach, but not before stopping at Match Point Tennis shop to say hello to master stringer, Chris Kennedy.

In Delray, we had one of the most amazing dinners at Cabana, Cuban restaurant. We then headed to DaDa for a private screening of the documentary, Delray Beach ITC 2010. It was great meeting the producer, Matt Prickett and seeing Marlena Hall and John Butler. Even Chris Evert’s sister was there!

Yesterday was a great day and today I will be meeting with Richard Ashby, National Coach for USTA Player Development in Boca, located at the Evert Academy.

As I sit here in Starbucks, I can’t help but think about John Wooden and how he re-defined success and helped create the person and coach I am. Do yourself a favor and watch the video below.

MESSAGE #761 I’M BAAAAACK….

/0 Comments/in /by

“Game. Set. Life. is a very motivating and inspiring book. Ed does a great job of teaching how to be positive and flip the thought process on the court or in life when negativity enters the mind. My friends and I recently attended one of his seminars and we were very impressed with his ability to capture his audience! We truly enjoyed his tips for peak performance.”
-DENISE CAPRIATI, mother of Jennifer Capriati, former world #1 tennis player

So I’m back from a successful trip to Florida. I spoke to tennis players, coaches, business professionals and even a family from Brazil that didn’t know much English. Denise Capriati showed up and brought her tennis friends.

I also had a great meeting with the great Tracy Hanlon and she, along with Chris Kennedy, the top racquet stringer in Palm Beach County, and Sandy Bell, tennis teaching pro at RiverWalk, are helping me line up some more speaking engagements for November. I already have one talk lined up at Ballenisles, home of Venus and Serena Williams, and am working on The Breakers, SeaView and other locations.

So I’m back home in Princeton, NJ and getting back in the groove as I prepare for the US Open. Sunday I will be heading into the city for the USTA Tennis Teachers Conference; Monday I will be speaking to tennis teachers, coaches and administrators from all over the world at the Grand Hyatt. After my talk I will be doing a book signing for the conference attendees. Then, on Tuesday, September 1, I will be doing a book signing at the US Open bookstore (near Court 10) during the day session.

I know what you’re thinking, “What’s the message of the day?”

The message of the day is this…

If I can fail out of college, twice and then become Pro of the Year and start my own business, then write a book and present it at the US Open, you can do whatever it is you want.

Anything is possible. There is a decent buzz going around about my book and speaking engagements, but guess what? I spent the past year promoting it, full-time. And now I’m reaping the benefits.

You get out what you put in.

I don’t think that my book is the best book out there, but I certainly put in the time to market it.

If you put in the time in your sport, in your job, in your relationships, you will get better results, so long as you’re doing the right things.

Talk is cheap. Take action today.

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #580 TAKE ACTION…

/0 Comments/in /by

I was invited down to the Delray Beach ITC this past week by the great Chris Kennedy of Golfsmith. My plan was to do some book signings and create a buzz in Florida. Yes, I did sell quite a few books, but I did some other things that I feel were more valuable.

I talked to everyone I could at the tournament about my book, vendors, tennis directors, coaches, pro players and fans. I gave a talk at the USTA Florida Member Appreciation Day, donated signed copies of my book to the USTA, Match Point Ministries, First Serve, and the tournament itself. I also observed a women’s team match and spoke to some of the players.

What’s the message here?

Nobody’s going to ring your doorbell. You have to take action. Ideas are great, but the follow-through is better. Instead of “hoping” that you will become successful, take the necessary steps to increase the chances that you do.

Chris Kennedy of Golfsmith called me yesterday to tell me that people are still talking about my book in Florida.

Take action today!

Thanks for reading.