MESSAGE #1107 A QUOTE FROM ARTHUR ASHE
Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is more important than the outcome.
-ARTHUR ASHE
MESSAGE #1104 HOW TO FACE AN ACE…
So here I am in the press box at the Trenton Thunder game. Tonight is a pitcher’s duel with Yankee prospect, Adam Warren of the Thunder (3-0, 2.95 ERA) versus Kyle Drabek of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, who threw a no-hitter earlier this season. Kyle is the son of Cy Young Award winner, Doug Drabek.
I spoke to Yankee prospects, Brandon Laird, Austin Romine and Adam Warren in the locker room before the game.
I asked them if they changed their approach when facing a pitcher that threw a no-hitter earlier in the season.
They all agreed that they wouldn’t change their approach. Anything can happen on any given day.
Laird said, “Today’s a new day, I’m just going to be patient and hopefully he’ll give me something good to hit.”
Austin Romine said, “He’s a good pitcher but it doesn’t change my approach. I’m still trying to do the same thing when I step in the box.”
And starting pitcher, Adam Warren said, “I just have to do my job, throw my game, I can’t control what the other pitcher does.”
So what does this mean to you?
Focus on the things you can control and don’t worry about the things you can’t. Anything can happen.
The Davids beat the Goliaths all the time.
MESSAGE #1103
Will beats skill any day.
Diligence beats intelligence any day.
Desire wins.
How bad do you want it?
MESSAGE #1090 FIRST PITCH…
Well, today was a special day.
Not only did I throw out the first pitch at the Trenton Thunder game; I also asked my girlfriend, Sarah McLoughlin to marry me after the pitch.
I went 2-for-2…I threw a strike and she said yes!
A very special Thank You to the Thunder staff and players, especially Bill, Krysten, Rachel, Dave, Justin Snyder and the great Brandon Laird for their help and support on this special day.
MESSAGE #1089 THIRSTY?
So here I am sitting in the front row at the Trenton Thunder game.
I have been spending some time with several of the players before the games and I am amazed at how driven these professional athletes are.
I have given some of them a copy of my book and a mental toughness piece I wrote, with great feedback.
It amazes me how thirsty these players are.
Thirsty for knowledge and constant improvement…they have growth mindsets.
It doesn’t matter if you are a professional baseball player, a dentist, or a pianist…if you’re not thirsty, you’re not growing.
This blog is not to give you something to drink…this blog is to make you thirsty.
Drink up.
MESSAGE #1087 VERY SUPERSTITIOUS
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 #1084
Never let your fears stand in the way of your dreams.
-author unknown
MESSAGE #1080
To move the world,
we must first move ourselves. -SOCRATES