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MESSAGE #1085 RISKY BUSINESS

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You have only one job today.

Take a risk.

Now, don’t take this the wrong way…I’m not saying you should quit your job and sell coconuts on the beach, but you should get out of your comfort zone — in your sport, in your job and in school.

Eleanor Roosevelt said that you should do one thing a day that scares you. She knew that you have to take risks to get results.

One of the biggest risks I took was starting my own business. I was scared to death, but I did it. And I’m glad.

If I had stayed in my comfort zone, I would still just be a tennis pro.

But now, not only am my own boss, I am a speaker, author and authority on mental toughness.

With big risk comes big reward.

One of my biggest risks became one of the best decisions I ever made.

Someone once said, “Go out on a limb, because that’s where the fruit is.”

MESSAGE #900 MENTAL CROSS-TRAINING…

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William James said, “Everybody should do at least two things each day that he hates to do, just for practice.”

Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Do one thing every day that scares you.”

Ed Tseng says, “Do one thing every day that is distracting to you, to improve your focus.”

Recently, I practiced yoga, while my girlfriend, Sarah was doing a pilates video. It was yoga that I was doing, but it was really mental cross-training. I knew that it would test my focus, and it certainly was challenging. I caught myself a few times listening to the pilates video, but I accepted it and re-focused on my yoga practice. I felt an inner calm and didn’t let the external factors affect me.

When we’re on the tennis court, at work, in school or in line at the grocery store, there will be distractions. They may be spectators, co-workers, friends or an annoying stranger.

We can’t control those things.

We can only control our reactions to those challenges.

So the next time you feel yourself getting distracted, do the following exercise:

Take a deep diaphragmatic breath (from the stomach vs the chest), in through the nose for four seconds, then exhale out through your nose for four seconds. Continue for several breaths. This will bring you back to the present moment and help you re-gain your focus.

What will you do today (intentionally) that will distract you?

MESSAGE #742 BE SCARED…

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“Do one thing every day that scares you.”
-ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

I really like this quote.

Most people avoid scary things. But then why do we watch scary movies? Why do we ride roller coasters? Because we love the excitement.

How does this relate to sports?

Well, I call it mental cross-training. If you get nervous or scared before a tennis match or tryouts, put yourself in a similar type of situation more often. Then, when it actually happens, you will be more comfortable.

But there’s more to it. When you face a scary situation and do it anyway, you are flexing your mental toughness muscles. It makes you stronger and tougher. It gives you confidence.

What scares me? Speaking in front of a group and I’m a motivational speaker. It scares me, but I love it. Public speaking is the most feared thing in the world. Even more than death. Last year I gave over 30 talks and I wouldn’t change a thing. It has made me a better speaker, tennis pro and person.

So I challenge you to do one scary thing today and see how it feels.

Leave your comments…

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #706 ARE YOU A NEGATIVE NANCY OR A POSITIVE PATTY?

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“It is better to light the candle than to curse the darkness.”
-ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

In my article, “Top 5 Mental Mistakes Tennis Players Make,” the number one mistake was “They Are Negative.”

Most people would rather curse the darkness than light the candle.

“What’s wrong with you?!” or “I’m playing terrible today!” are common thoughts.

What kind of results do these players usually get?

Unfavorable ones.

Now say the following to yourself…

“Okay, the ball went into the net – I’ll just aim higher. I’ve still got this.”

“I am playing the number one player in the state! What a great experience!”

You can take any situation and turn it into a positive. It is not the situation you are handed, but your attitude towards it that matters.

If you were to count how many negative comments, sounds and gestures you made in a single day, you would be amazed. The next time you feel the urge to complain or be annoyed, ask yourself, “How can I turn this into a positive?” instead.

When you decide to light the candle instead of cursing the darkness, your world changes.

Thanks for reading.