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MESSAGE #846 CHOP WOOD, CARRY WATER…

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In Zen there is a saying, “Chop wood, carry water.”

This means, focus on the task at hand.

Abraham Lincoln said, “Whatever you are, be a good one.”

Others say, “Stay in the present moment.”

When I give lessons, I tell my students to take pride in every aspect of the lesson, including picking up balls.

If you are taking out the garbage, be the best garbage taker-outer in the world.

There are no menial jobs, only menial people.

It’s all about excellence in the moment.

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #845 JORDAN VS TSENG…

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JORDAN: Focus on the little things.
TSENG: Focus on your weaknesses, as well as your strengths.

JORDAN: Don’t think about the prize; think about the work.
TSENG: Focus on the process, not the product.

JORDAN: Use tough losses for motivation.
TSENG: You either win or you learn.

JORDAN: Nervousness is not a bad thing.
TSENG: If you’re not nervous, you’re not ready.

JORDAN: Prepare, practice and perfect it.
TSENG: Practice perfect.

JORDAN: Stick to the things you are capable of doing.
TSENG: Focus on the things you can control.

JORDAN: I was nervous when I first played golf with Tiger Woods.
TSENG: I was nervous when I first played tennis with Martina Navratilova.

JORDAN: You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.
TSENG: The great ones act like winners before they actually become winners.

Michael Jordan won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls, two Olympic basketball gold medals and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in September. He is one of the greatest athletes in history.

Ed Tseng is a blogger.

MESSAGE #843 THIRSTY?…

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“Everything flows and nothing abides, everything gives way and nothing stays fixed.”
-HERACLITUS

This blog is not designed to give you something to drink.

This blog is to make you thirsty.

Thirsty to go all out…every day.

One of the facts of life and peak performance is impermanence.

Nothing lasts forever.

Wins, trophies, money, vacations, sunny days.

We need to stay in the moment. Set goals, but enjoy the process of life. The process of our sport.

I remember a story about a master who held up a glass, while talking to a group, and said, “Do you see this goblet? For me this glass is already broken. I enjoy it; I drink out of it. It holds my water admirably, sometimes even reflecting the sun in beautiful patterns. If I should tap it, it has a lovely ring to it. But when I put this glass on a shelf and the wind knocks it over or my elbow brushes it off the table and it falls to the ground and shatters, I say, ‘Of course.’ When I understand that this glass is already broken, every moment with it is precious.”

Every day is precious…a gift.

Play every point like it’s your last.

Live every day like it’s your last.

It is then that you will have total awareness.

And it is then that your world changes.

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #842 TRUTH ABOUT ANDRE AGASSI…

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“I only care about being better than yesterday.”
-ANDRE AGASSI, author of “Open”

Is Andre Agassi a crystal meth addict?
Is Andre Agassi just trying to sell a lot of books?
Is Andre Agassi a cheater?

Everyone has their own opinion on the hottest topic in the sports world.

Here’s mine…

I don’t believe that taking “crystal meth” was right. (Andre didn’t even know what it was – his personal assistant mixed it for him.)

I don’t believe he should have lied about it.

Andre’s message is about choices, about second chances.

We’ve all made mistakes in our lives, but not all of us are in the public eye.

Everyone thinks that when he was playing on tour with his long hair and neon clothing, he was expressing himself.

He wasn’t.

He was exploring himself.

He didn’t know who he was. That’s probably part of the reason why he experimented with crystal meth.

He was lonely on tour…on the court. He was depressed. He was living someone else’s life.

But one day, he decided to play tennis for himself. He made a conscious choice. That’s when his whole world changed.

He started really loving the game.

He started bowing to the crowd after every match (now everyone does it).

He started going all out.

Andre said that he only likes money so he can help others.

I truly believe that.

Andre wants others to learn from his mistakes.

I truly believe that.

Andre wants to provide education and opportunity to those in need.

I truly believe that.

Andre didn’t enjoy most of his victories, but he enjoyed winning the US Gold Medal because it was for his country.

I truly believe that.

I don’t know enough about Andre Agassi to say whether he is a good or a bad person. I don’t know what his intentions are.

But I am pretty confident that he, and his book speak from the heart.

I truly believe that he wants to help others, and how can you blame someone for that?

Andre Agassi believes that he is just like you and me…

“We’re all swimming to Hawaii; you may get farther than me, but nobody’s making it.”

Make the most of today. Make the most of your life.

It’s not too late.

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #841 HOW TO BECOME AN OVERNIGHT SUCCESS…

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“Nobody makes it overnight.”
-ALICE LEON, rockstar

Last night I went to a live taping for my favorite band, The Alice Project’s live DVD concert.

It was a great show and since it was being recorded, some of the songs had to be re-recorded.

That’s normal.

The band handled it like true professionals. And were they nervous beforehand? Probably, but they didn’t LOOK nervous.

One of their songs is entitled, “Nobody Makes It Overnight.”

I couldn’t help but think about the athletes (and non-athletes) that I work with and speak to.

Everybody wants to become an overnight success, but do you know how long it takes to become an overnight success?

10 years!!!

You have to put in the work.

Bottom line.

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #840 ANDRE AGASSI, PART II…

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Andre and “Center Stage” host, Michael Kay


“Game. Set. Life.” Only on Yes!


Andre reading “Game. Set. Life.”

Yesterday was one of the best days of my life.

I was invited to a private taping of the “Center Stage” show in New York City.

The host: Michael Kay
The guest: Andre Agassi
My seat: Second row, center

I don’t know where to begin. This may have to be more than one blog entry.

I think the most important message Andre wants to convey is that we all have choices…and it’s never too late.

Andre CHOSE his life at age 27. Before that he was forced to play tennis and hated it. But then he hit bottom and then had to choose between hanging up the racquet, or going all out.

He chose to go all out.

He re-dedicated himself and got back to the top of the tennis world.

We all make our own choices. And we have to take risks.

Agassi says, “Anything worthwhile in life comes with a risk…this book was a risk. Some people may read it and like it, and others may not. If I can inspire one person, give one person hope, my job is done. In my life, I was finally happy to change myself – that was the only thing I could control.”

“I was gonna hang in until I had nothing left to give.”

I really like that quote.

Andre went all out and at the end of his career, he was satisfied. It was the end of that chapter in his life. He had no regrets.

And that’s what this blog is all about…are you going to go all out or hold back.

Andre’s final words…

“It’s never too late…go out and get it.”


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #839 HANGING OUT WITH ANDRE AGASSI…

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“Nothing can substitute for just plain hard work. I had to put in the time to get back. And it was a grind. It meant training and sweating every day. But I was completely committed to working out to prove to myself that I still could do it.”
-ANDRE AGASSI

Today I am going to a private taping of “Center Stage” in New York City. Host Michael Kay will be doing a one-on-one interview with my favorite all-time tennis player, the great Andre Agassi.

I’ll be sure to ask a good question and donate a copy of my book to his prep school in Las Vegas.

Hard work was obviously part of Andre’s success, but you’re going to have to wait til tomorrow’s blog message to find out the rest…

MESSAGE #838 PARADISE…FOR 23 HOURS…

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Yesterday I was in Florida for exactly 23 hours and 9 minutes.

I loved and made use of every moment of it.

I made an appearance at the beautiful new All Tennis shop in Lake Park, gave a talk at BallenIsles Country Club, the first site of the PGA and current home of Venus and Serena Williams. Had a great dinner at Vic and Angelo’s and then met up with the great Denise Capriati, mother of former World #1, Jennifer Capriati.

During my talk I said that one problem with tennis players is that many of them are just “in” tennis, instead of “into” tennis.

When you’re “in” tennis, you’re playing. You’re just on the court and present.

If you’re “into” tennis, you live, eat and breathe tennis. You strive for constant improvement.

The good ones are in it, the great ones are into it…

What are you?

MESSAGE #837

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I’m late.

I was supposed to leave three minutes ago to hop a flight to West Palm Beach, Florida to give a talk today at 4:30pm at BallenIsles Country Club, home of the PGA and Williams sisters.

It’s okay, I took a deep breath and will tell you this…

“The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.”
-SYDNEY J. HARRIS

Have a great day everyone!

MESSAGE #835 MY FIRST DAY AT MY NEW CLUB…

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“The secret is…there is no secret. If you exceed expectations, you can do anything.”
-MELISSA SAPIO, 4.0 graduate of Montclair State University

Yesterday was my first day at the new Monroe Sports Center. I use the great Melissa Sapio’s philosophy in my teaching. I try to do just a little bit more than is expected.

Most students just want the A.
Most athletes just want the trophy.
Most professionals just want the paycheck.

But the great ones, strive for constant improvement.

They exceed expectations.

When I’m teaching, I like to think that I transfer energy to my students. I make sure I’m vocal and use a lot of body language. I use positive reinforcement/coaching.

Yesterday I was teaching the great Mike DeBlase, former #1 singles player for Steinert High School. While I was teaching, a gentleman was watching from the window.

I assume he liked what he saw because after a few moments, he walked out on the court and requested weekly hour and a half private lessons for his sons who were ranked in NJ.

I didn’t know who he was, but he could tell that I was “into” teaching and exceeding expectations.

It’s all about excellence in the moment.

Give your best and people will notice.

If you do more than you’re paid to do, eventually you will get paid for more than you do.

Thanks for reading.

Free peak performance workshop today at 6pm at the Monroe Sports Center.