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MESSAGE #1119 A PUZZLE

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Every tennis match is a puzzle.

And there is no “one way” to solve it.

There are many options, but if you think there is only one, you will probably be disappointed.

The greatest athletes in the world never lose, they just run out of time.

Every competition is different, every opponent is different.

I think as coaches and as players, we need to understand that sports (and life) are not in a vacuum. There are so many factors and the more we stay in the moment and analyze the present situation, the better we will become, and the better we will do.

Enjoy the puzzle.

MESSAGE #799 LOOK INSIDE…AND ALL AROUND YOU

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“All of the ability is already inside you.”
-Rob Gilbert, Ph.D., Professor of Sport Psychology, Montclair State University

Look inside.

Look all around you.

It’s never been easier to succeed. No longer is it about talent. It’s all about having the right strategy and putting in the work.

Look at all of the resources around you – books, DVDs, podcasts, workshops, the internet and more.

You can have your own private pitching coach. Your own private nutritionist. Your own private strength and conditioning coach.

But here’s the kicker…

You have to put in the work.

If you work hard, you will surpass those with talent that do not work hard.

I know what you’re thinking, that it’s not cool to try. But do you want to be cool or do you want to be great?

As you’re working hard, some people may call you a nerd or loser…

But later on, those same people are going to call you…

BOSS.



Thanks for reading.

Don’t forget…tomorrow, Sunday, October 4th at Yogaphoria in New Hope, PA, I will be giving a free workshop with the great Naime Jezzeny on Peak Performance for Athletes. 10am.

MESSAGE #789 READ THIS MESSAGE UPSIDE-DOWN…

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˙ƃuıpɐǝɹ ɹoɟ sʞuɐɥʇ
¿ʎɐpoʇ ʇuǝɹǝɟɟıp op oʇ ƃuıoƃ noʎ ǝɹɐ ʇɐɥʍ
˙ƃuıʇʇǝƃ sı ǝslǝ ǝuoʎɹǝʌǝ ʇɐɥʍ ʇǝƃ oʇ ƃuıoƃ ǝɹ,noʎ ‘ƃuıop sı ǝslǝ ǝuoɹǝʌǝ ʇɐɥʍ op noʎ ɟı ˙pʍoɹɔ ǝɥʇ ɯoɹɟ ʇno ƃuıpuɐʇs – ʇuǝɹǝɟɟıp ƃuıɥʇǝɯos ƃuıop sı lnɟssǝɔɔns ƃuıǝq oʇ sʎǝʞ ǝɥʇ ɟo ǝuo

MESSAGE #575 WORK HARD…

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“If hard work is the key to success, most people would rather pick the lock.”
-CLAUDE MCDONALD

MESSAGE #573 ALL YOU NEED TO DO…

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Have you ever listened to a song and then find that it stays in your head all day? This even happens if it is a song we don’t like!

Well, many times we tend to criticize ourselves over and over and then both our confidence and performance decrease.

Here’s your assignment for today.

Instead focusing on what you don’t want, focus on what you DO want. Write down the following affirmation on a small piece of paper and keep it in your wallet. Read it to yourself first thing in the morning, last thing at night and at least once during your day. Do this for the next five days. The key is, when you read it, really feel it. If you don’t feel it, it is okay to read it several times. This technique will help you go from where you are to where you want to be. Let me know your results.

“Every day, in every way, I am becoming better and better.”
-EMILE COUTE

MESSAGE #532 BE LIKE MIKE…

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great Michael Jordan.

We all know that Michael Jordan was cut from his basketball team in the 10th grade. He then went home and cried for the rest of the night. Many people would have given up and tried a different sport, but Michael went to work. The next school year, Michael arrived at school every morning at 6am to worked out with the coach.

Size-wise, many people had the same physical build as Jordan, some more so. So how then did Michael Jordan become MICHAEL JORDAN?

He certainly worked hard. VERY hard. But Jordan also had something inside. DESIRE. He says he was “hungry.” He also had the mindset of a champion BEFORE he became the Michael Jordan that we all know.

Jordan once said that if he ever woke up and thought that he couldn’t get any better than the day before, he would give up basketball. He had a growth mindset.

He was never satisfied. He never said, “I’ve made it.” In his eyes, he never got to the top of the mountain, he was always climbing.

I try to be like Mike. I try to get better every day in all areas of my life. It’s a process, and I’m enjoying the process. Someone once said that there are no limits, just plateaus and we need to continue to go higher and higher.

I agree.

Homework: Be like Mike…today.


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #528 I’M PLAYING IN THE US OPEN TODAY!

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It is many a child’s dream to play in the US Open.

Today, I will be playing at the US Open, Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in their brand new indoor facility.

Am I playing for money?
No.

Is it a tournament?
No.

I am hitting with sports agent, Ian Rubel.

I work hard, but I play hard. See, success is not about money. There is nothing wrong with making money, but many people think that in order to be happy, they need a lot of money. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Success is about enjoying the journey.
Working hard and playing hard.
Making a difference in the world-every day.
Making the best of every situation.
Being nice.
Having gratitude for all the big and little things in your life.

In these tough economic times, it’s easy to say, “Why me?” but it’s all perception. Even though you may be out of a job, there are people in the world that don’t even know if they will live long enough to have their next meal. Bob Ryland, the first black tennis pro, went through hell, but if you look at him, he is always smiling and laughing.

Don’t look for success in money or material things.
Don’t look for success in the future…

Success is already inside you. Enjoy today, it’s all we have right now.


Thanks for checking in.

MESSAGE #519 6 TIPS FOR SUCCESS

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to Robert Gibson.

“1. Stress improvement, not perfection (or winning). 2. Don’t take yourself too seriously; laugh at yourself and have fun. 3. Set attainable goals; reach them and then set higher ones. 4. Be positive, walk tall, smile often, don’t complain or procrastinate. 5. Prepare purposely, but don’t over train. 6. Remember-Sports is a game and meant to be enjoyable.”
-DICK GOULD, Stanford University tennis

MESSAGE #489 LEARN FROM THE GREATS…

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Do you believe that there’s greatness inside you?

Well, it’s true. So why, then doesn’t everyone achieve greatness?

Here are my top four reasons…

1. People don’t believe that they can be great.

2. They quit too early.

3. They don’t want it badly enough.

4. They try to figure everything out themselves.

One of the quickest ways to become great at whatever you do is to do what the great ones are doing. If you want to become a great tennis player, find out what the great ones are doing, and copy them. Train like they train. Eat what they eat. Think how they think.

Work, school and music are the same way.

“If I wanted to become a tramp,
I would seek information and advice
from the most successful tramp I could find.
If I wanted to become a failure
I would seek advice from men
who have never succeeded.
If I wanted to succeed in all things,
I would look around me
for those who are succeeding,
and do as they have done.”
-JOSEPH MARSHALL WADE

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #487 HOW TO GET TO THE NEXT LEVEL IN SPORTS AND LIFE…

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to Adina Schicchi.

How can you get to the next level?

Well, let me ask you this…

Who is your team? Now, I’m not just talking about a sports team. I’m talking about a work team. A relationship team. A friendship team.

Do you surround yourself with people who support you? Who push you? All the successful people in the world have a good team around them. I’m motivated, but I still have great people around me so I can stay motivated. And it’s a team, so we motivate each other.

Maybe this story will help paint a better picture…

The rich father gathered the young men around a swimming pool filled with alligators. He promised his daughter in marriage, a sports car, two oil wells, and a top position in his company to anyone who had the courage and skill to swim across the pool.

Immediately, a young man splashed in and swam like blazes to the other side. The crowd went wild, clapping and cheering as the hero made it across. The rich father ran to his side, congratulated him, then asked, “Which prize do you want first?”

“First,” the young man sputtered, “I want the name of the guy who pushed me into the pool!”


We all need a push sometimes. There are things we don’t even know we’re capable of until we get out of our comfort zones.

So look at your team around you and see if they’re pushing you forward or keeping you back.

Start to get comfortable being uncomfortable.


Thanks for reading.