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MESSAGE #1087 VERY SUPERSTITIOUS

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great Michael Sachs, Ph.D. at Temple University.

Ever notice how athletes are superstitious?

Many baseball players don’t step on the foul line when hustling on and off the field.

Tennis players bounce the ball a certain number of times before they serve.

Eating the same meal before competition is also quite common.

Michael Jordan wore his college team shorts under his NBA uniform.

Not shaving until you get out of your slump happens all the time too.

Silly things, right?

Wrong.

New research shows that you may actually perform better if you are superstitious.

Rituals and lucky charms can help you–if you believe they can. They can give you added confidence.

When talking to Austin Romine, one of the Yankees’ top prospects who just played in the MLB Futures Game and the Eastern League All-Star Game, he told me that he has the same routine every single day. “Consistency off the field turns into consistency on the field,” shared Romine.

A long time ago, I wished someone good luck before a competition and they said, “I don’t need luck–I create my own luck.”

I guess they were right.

MESSAGE #1040 SECRET FORMULA

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great Warren Bobrow, food critic/blogger.

 

Think back to the best match you ever played.

Notice how you didn’t have many thoughts going on in your head?

You just did it.

Now think back to the worst match you ever played.

Notice how you kept thinking things like, “why do you keep missing that shot?!” “what’s wrong with you?!” “you stink!”

There’s a secret formula for peak performance…

P = P – I

Performance = Potential Minus Interference

You have all the potential in the world already inside you.

If you can subtract the interference (fear of failure, focus, results, other people, pressure, what you’re eating later, etc), you will perform at the highest level.

I know what you’re thinking, how can I get rid of the interference?

There are many ways, here’s one:

Do what Pete Sampras used to do…

Focus on where you’re going to serve and where you’re going to hit the next shot.

That’s it.

Simple but effective.

 

For a free 10-minute mental toughness consultation for athletes, salespeople, students…anyone that wants to reach peak performance, email or call 609.558.1077.

MESSAGE #1024 HOW TO WIN MORE PART II

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great tennis coach, Javier Perez Cigoj in Argentina.

So yesterday I talked about negative reactions on the court and why they can hurt your performance and results.

Soon after, I received a message from Javier, a tennis coach in Argentina and he said, “Great message, but how should you act instead?”

Well, Javier, the key is to let the point go – you can think about how to make an adjustment, but then, keep it in the past.

1. Take a couple deep breaths (to stay in the present and to lower your heart rate).
2. Project a confident image.
3. Think about where you want to hit your next shot.
4. Focus on the things you can control (your energy, attitude, strategy and effort).
5. Cultivate the feeling of winning the next point (even before the point begins).

The best way to increase your chances of winning is to not focus on winning.

Focus on the process instead of the product and as a by-product you will win more.