MESSAGE #977
“What you focus on expands, and when you focus on the goodness in your life, you create more of it. Opportunities, relationships, even money flowed my way when I learned to be grateful no matter what happened in my life.” -OPRAH WINFREY
MESSAGE #972 INTERVIEW WITH A RISING STAR…
In this video blog, Ed interviews rising baseball star, Mike DeJesus of the New Jersey Jackals.
MESSAGE #971 TIGER BACK ON TRACK…
Well, so far, my prediction is coming true – Tiger Woods is returning to the golf world and showing the world (and himself) how to learn from mistakes. If he stays clean and kicks some major butt, my prediction will have been right on the money.
In his first interviews since the incident Tiger said…
“You strip away the denial, the rationalization and you come to the truth,” he said, “and the truth is very painful at times, and to stare at yourself and look at the person you’ve become, you become disgusted.”
I said from the beginning that Tiger just needs to speak from the heart but many people told me, “That’s not Tiger.” The quote above seems pretty honest to me.
And regarding not knowing his schedule after The Masters, Woods commented…
“That to me is a little bit bothersome, too, in a sense that I don’t like not knowing what to do. But what I know I have to do is become a better person, and that begins with going to more treatment.”
Tiger knows what he needs to do, and he’s doing it. And soon he will be getting it done on the golf course too.
No mistakes are bad if you learn from them.
Go get ’em, Tiger.
MESSAGE #970 HANGING OUT WITH BOBBY VALENTINE
Yesterday, I drove up to Stamford, Connecticut to attend the Diamond Sports Career Seminar with Bobby Valentine at Bobby Valentine’s Academy. My friend, Walter Recher, and Dave Torromeo are the founding partners of Diamond Sports Group, who create amazing events and programs in affiliation with professional sports down to the grassroots.
I met some amazing people at this event, including panelists, Rod Mergardt of CBS/MaxPreps and Shane Beardsley of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, an affiliate of the NY Islanders. Other interesting people I met were, Mary Jane Wells, business manager of the Bridgeport Bluefish, who shared with me a great George Steinbrenner story, Tom Chiappetta, executive director of the Fairfield Sports Commission, and Dave Torromeo of Diamond Sports Group.
I have some great conversations with each of them, but the person I really drove up to see was the great Bobby Valentine. During the panel discussion, there were some great quotes on the sports industry.
“When you go for it, you get it.” -BOBBY VALENTINE
“You have to learn responsibility – write down three things you want to accomplish every day. Then do them.” -BOBBY V.
“Winners will make more mistakes, but they move on immediately.” -ROD MERGARDT
“Losers can become winners.” -BOBBY V.
“Work hard.” -SHANE BEARDSLEY
Bobby Valentine managed 3,500 games and only won 1,900, but he said, in those losses he had little successes and those little successes turned into big successes.
I actually had a couple great conversations with Bobby before and after the event. I asked him what mental skills the Japanese players had that the US players didn’t. He said that the Japanese players just practice more. “Practice creates confidence and less fear. The Japanese players have less fear.”
Bobby V also said that the US players never play again without practicing first, which means, they never skip batting practice like the US teams.
My goal was to do an exclusive interview with Bobby, but unfortunately, ESPN doesn’t allow him to do that, but I did ask a question during the seminar to all three panelists, as seen in the video below.
MESSAGE #968 HILARIOUS
Last night I spent some time with my new favorite comedian, Patrick DeGuire. Mr. DeGuire flew into town to perform three shows in Princeton at Catch A Rising Star comedy club. We shot a video blog together (stay tuned) and shared stories, quotes and life lessons.
Patrick DeGuire is unique because about thirteen years ago, he developed an eye disease and is now legally blind. He went to comedy as a form of self-healing. And now he is a well-known comedian who has performed on Comedy Central and with comedians such as George Lopez. DeGuire has also performed for the US Troops in Iraq.
I am amazed at his optimism and love of life. His show was pretty darn funny too.
So if Patrick DeGuire can lose his vision and still succeed at something he loves, imagine what YOU can do?
MESSAGE #964 WHAT DO YOU DO AFTER YOU WIN WIMBLEDON?
Do people sing to get to the end of the song?
Do people play sports to get to the end of the game?
Do people read to get to the end of the book?
No. No. No.
Life is not about doing as many things as you can. It’s not about getting to the end. It’s not even about making a lot of money (I know a lot of miserable rich people).
Life is to be lived. To do what matters to you. To do what you’re passionate about. To make a difference in the world.
We play sports because we enjoy the process. If winning was everything, wouldn’t we ONLY play people we knew we could beat? That would get old quick.
After Mats Wilander became number one in the tennis world (something he worked his whole life for), he said, “Is that it?” It got to a point where he would look forward to mowing his lawn more than playing tennis. So it’s not about the trophy. It’s not about the money. It’s not about materialistic objects.
1. Do what you love.
2. Stay in the present moment and savor it all.
3. Work hard but have fun.
4. Don’t let anyone tell you what you CAN’T do (how do THEY know?)
5. Make a difference and help others.
Think about what you want to have accomplished at the end of your life.
Now go and do it.
MESSAGE #961 MEETING OF THE MINDS
We all know that sports are about 80 percent mental, so doesn’t that mean we should practice our mental game 80 percent of the time?
I met with meditation teacher, Jonathan Star yesterday and he explained his theory of “The Art of Being On” to me. It was very intriguing. An average tennis match lasts about 90 minutes and only approximately 18 of those minutes are actually playing. So Star developed a meditation to help you win “the game between points.”
Nobody can do it all on their own. Use all the brains you have and all that you can borrow. (Woodrow Wilson) I have a feeling Mr. Star and I will be collaborating on several projects in the near future. We have already begun planning a joint seminar.
Jonathan sought me out from the Princeton Peak Performance Meetup Group I started (see sidebar). The secret to success is to have a growth mindset and strive for constant improvement, but remember you don’t have to do it all on your own.
Ideas are the best currency – If you exchange dollar bills with someone, you both have one dollar bill. But if you exchange ideas, you both have TWO ideas.
Author’s note: Day 3 of my 21-Day Challenge is in full-force with being on court and hitting lessons. I will be sure to break a sweat and even do some running with my students.
I’d love to hear your comments. Leave them below.
MESSAGE #952 THE PROBLEM…
I know what the problem is…
YOUR FEELINGS.
I know what the solution is…
YOUR ACTIONS.
Any questions?
Leave your comments below.
MESSAGE #951 DR. SEUSS
Yesterday was my father’s birthday. Do you know who else had a birthday yesterday?
Dr. Seuss.
He’s the childrens book author, right?
Wrong.
Everyone can learn from his words.
Here are some great quotes…
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself, any direction you choose.
Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.
Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So… get on your way.
And will you succeed? Yes indeed, yes indeed! Ninety-eight and three-quarters percent guaranteed.
Happy Belated Birthday, Dr. Seuss.
What’s YOUR favorite quote? Leave your comments below…
MESSAGE #947 A GREAT STORY
In this video blog, Ed Tseng, Pro of the Year USTA 2005 and author of “Game. Set. Life.” shares a great story about “acting as if” and peak performance in sports and life.