MESSAGE #1129 THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT…
PRACTICE AS IF YOU ARE THE WORST.
COMPETE AS IF YOU ARE THE BEST.
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MESSAGE #1128 BUMPS IN THE ROAD…
It doesn’t matter what you do, or who you are…you’re going to encounter obstacles. On the field, in the classroom, in the boardroom and at home.
Someone once said that life was a series of problem-solving events. We can’t avoid challenges or adversity.
What we can do is change our reactions to them.
I believe that in every challenge, there is a lesson to be learned. You can use adversity to your advantage. Instead of being frustrated, be fascinated. Enjoy the pressure; enjoy the challenge.
That’s what winners do.
Act like a winner today!
MESSAGE #1127 THIS IS YOUR BRAIN…
Brad Gilbert once said that you can win with 60% of your game and 100% of your brain, but if you have 60% of your brain and 100% of your game, you won’t win.
What does this mean?
Physical skills are important, but mental skills are more important.
I received an email recently from a top tennis player in Idaho that read:
“I was in the final of the Men’s 50’s Idaho Senior Games, down 0-5 and getting frustrated. I took a break on the changeover, cleared my head of all thought except for the plan I formed–Serve into the body, groundstrokes deep to the corners followed by short angles to the open court. Instead of questioning why things were happening, I set out to focus on the things I could control…attitude, effort, strategy, cutting down on errors. I won the first set 7-6, and the next 6-2. It wasn’t pretty…but I won the Gold Medal and qualified for the US National Games next year in Houston. I keep a copy of your ‘Top 10 things Champions Do’ list in my bag. Thanks for the list, Ed…that gold is as much yours as mine!”
When was the last time you worked on your mental game?
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 #1124 EAT THIS!
Brian Tracy, the expert on human potential, says…
EAT THAT FROG!
What does this mean?
Eat that frog first thing in the morning and get it out of the way.
What is your frog? Working out? Making calls? Studying? Cleaning?
When you do the most difficult thing first, you not only get it out of the way, but you gain confidence and momentum. Otherwise, the frog will be staring at you all day and zap you of your energy.
MESSAGE #1123 DON’T HAVE A COW…
Here’s a great bit of advice from the business world…
“When everything gets really complicated and you feel overwhelmed, think about it this way: You gotta do three things. First, get the cow out of the ditch. Second, find out how the cow got into the ditch. Third, make sure you do whatever it takes so the cow doesn’t go into the ditch again.”
-ALBERT C. BLACK JR.
Now, you may not have a cow to worry about, but you probably have challenges at work, at school, in sports, in music or in your relationships.
Follow the same steps and you will be pleased with the results.
MESSAGE #1122 A RECORD BREAKER!
Last night, Adam Warren (above) broke the record for most strikeouts (15) in a single game for the Trenton Thunder. The old record stood for 16 years.
I spoke with Warren a few weeks ago regarding his keys to success. Here’s what I unearthed…
1. Before you compete, you have to lock-in mentally, get serious. It helps to have the same routine.
2. Focus on throwing your game, the things you can control.
3. Take it one game at a time, one pitch at a time.
4. It’s normal to be nervous, use it to your advantage.
5. Have fun, but give it all you’ve got.
These keys to success helped Adam Warren set the Thunder record for strikeouts in a single game, but the result came as a by-product of having the right mindset.
Congrats, Adam!
MESSAGE #1120 THIS IS EASY
Here’s a secret…
It’s easier to do something every day than it is to do once in a while.
This is important, so let me repeat it…
It’s easier to do something every day than it is to do once in a while.
It’s easier to workout every day.
It’s easier to eat healthy every day.
It’s easier to give all-out effort every day.
It’s easier to practice the violin every day.
Why does this work?
Because when you do something every day, it becomes a habit.
You can’t NOT do it.
When you do something once in a while, you have to motivate yourself to do it.
What are you going to start to do every day?
Leave your comments below.
MESSAGE #1119 A PUZZLE
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.