Message #99 A Successful Day in Boston

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Today I met with Dr. Harvey Dulberg and Dr. Ellen Langer.

Let me put this in perspective…Dr. Dulberg is a sports psychologist that was one of the first people to do sports psychology, EVER. Dr. Ellen Langer, at Harvard, is one of the top psychologists in the world.

I met with them and got some great ideas. I asked them for their input and took good notes. They were great, down to earth people. I also attended one of Dr. Langer’s lectures.

None of these things would have occurred had I not been action oriented.

I have gained more insight in my field and gotten more ideas for the future. You just wait and see…

Thanks for reading.

Message # 98 Lessons From a Subway Musician

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This message is especially dedicated to Ubaldo Mendoza, subway musician.

Ubaldo Mendoza from Guatamala plays the flute on the subway platforms in Boston. I spent some time with Ubaldo this week.

Although he was born in Mexico and has only been in the US for 2 years, and I can’t understand all of his English, we have the same mindset.

Ubaldo understands goal setting and enjoying the process. He has a passion for life. Ubaldo also washes dishes in the North End…all of that money goes to his family in Mexico. He is learning the business and plans on opening a restaurant with his wife when he returns to Guatamala in a couple years.

I respect and admire Ubaldo…he is my new friend.

Thanks for reading.

Message # 97 Seeking Out the Experts

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This post is especially dedicated to the great Cindi Holliday.

Today’s message is simple…DON’T JUST DO WHAT I SAY, DO WHAT I DO!

Everyday I tell people to seek out the experts, well I’m on a train right now heading up to Boston to meet with some of the experts, specifically the great Ellen Langer (Mindfulness) at Harvard.

As I sit here on the train, watching
the bright orange sun come up from a peaceful morning skyline, I have gratitude. Gratitude for everyone and everything in my life. Gratitude for all the great things I’m about to embark on. I am working hard to be the best that I can and make as big of a difference in the world that I can, but I’m enjoying the process.

I just realized that I am happiest when I have gratitude…it is my own form of meditation. That’s why I do it several times a day.

Have a wonderful day!

“The best way to predict the future is to CREATE it.”

Thanks for reading.

More from Boston.

Message # 96 Positive Sports Psychology Virtue # 6

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Positive Sports Psychology Virtue # 6

Transcendence; definition: Strengths that forge connections to the larger universe and provide meaning

Character Strengths:

Appreciation of beauty and excellence; def: Noticing and appreciating beauty, excellence, and/or skilled performance in all domains of life

It is important to appreciate the wonderful game of tennis and all that it has to offer.

Gratitude; def: Being aware of and thankful for the good things that happen

Have gratitude for the process and results.

Hope Expecting the best and working to achieve it

You need hope to achieve peak performance

Humor Liking to laugh and tease; bringing smiles to other people

Humor will help you perform well under tense situations.

Religiousness Having coherent beliefs about the higher purpose and meaning of life

The ways you achieve success in tennis is the same way that you achieve success in life.

Thanks for reading.

Message # 95 Positive Sports Psychology Virtue # 5

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Positive Sports Psychology Virtue # 5

Temperance; definition: Strengths that protect against excess

It is important in sports to beware of how you act and how you feel towards yourself and others.

Character Strengths:

Forgiveness; def: Forgiving those who have done wrong

Forgiving is significant because that is how you can move on and reach peak performance. Forgive opponents, teammates, coaches, friends, family.

Modesty; def: Letting one’s accomplishments speak for themselves

It’s important to have confidence, but you needn’t show it on the outside or talk about how great you are.

Prudence; def: Being careful about one’s choices; not saying or doing things that might
later be regretted

Think before you act; on and off the court.

Self-regulation; def:Regulating what one feels and does

People don’t care what you say, they care what you do.

Thanks for reading.

Message # 94 Positive Sports Psychology Virtue # 4

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This message is especially dedicated to the great Jake Myers in Brussels.

Virtue # 4:

Justice; definition: Civic strengths that underlie healthy community life

Character Strengths:

Fairness; def: Treating all people the same according to notions of fairness and justice

When practicing and competing, you should be respectful and make good line calls. Everyone you come in contact with should be treated the same, ie tournament directors, and other players. If you are a manager, you should treat all of your employees the same.

Leadership; def: Organizing group activities and seeing that they happen

If you are a tennis pro, organize activities for not only your students, but fellow pros, as well. Other ideas are organizing a mixer or fundraiser. Most tennis pros wait until they become a leader to act like one; if you want to get to the next level, you need to take action.

Teamwork; def: Working well as member of a group or team

We are all part of a team, possibly many teams; we are family members, teammates, friends, co-workers, etc. Success in each of these categories are attained in the same way. Remember what TEAM stands for: Together Everyone Achieves More…as long as there’s a Total Effort from All Members.

Thanks for reading.

Message # 93 Positive Sports Psychology Virtue # 3

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Virtue # 3: Humanity; definition: Interpersonal strengths that involve “tending and befriending” others

How you act towards others on and off the court is more important than how you perform on the court.

Character Strengths:

-Kindness: def. Doing favors and good deeds for others

When playing or practicing, treat others as you would want to be treated. Saying nice shot or having good sportsmanship towards your opponent. Treat your teammates with respect and support each other, regardless of ability or status.

-Love: def. Valuing close relations with others

You will always have your family so don’t take them for granted. Don’t assume they know you care. Instead of telling them, SHOW them.

-Social intelligence: def. Being aware of the motives and feelings of self and others

You should only have the best motives for your actions. Others may not, so treat them kindly, but don’t let people take advantage of you. If someone is making bad line calls against you, let the coaches know or ask for a line judge. Some people don’t know they are making bad calls, so don’t assume they are doing it on purpose.

Thanks for reading.

Message # 92 The Best Gift Ever…

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great Stacy Schinderle in Michigan.

This weekend I received the best gift ever for my birthday. Whenever people ask me what I want for my birthday, I tell them, I don’t need or want anything. It’s the truth, I feel very fortunate for all that I have and feel that what I have inside is all I need. So when people insist on getting me something, I tell them to make a donation.

This weekend, I received the following card.

Ed Tseng

On the occasion of Ed’s Birthday

Spreading the gifts of compassion, selflessness, and generosity – in celebration of you and all that you are.

A gift of love has been given in your name.

May this gift of

Bees

bring you joy as it brings hope and nourishment to a family in need.

The organization is Heifer International and they are a nonprofit that alleviates hunger, poverty and environmental degradation through gifts of livestock and training. These animals provide food, draft power and generate income for families. Since 1944, Heifer has helped more than 4.5 million families in 125 countries become self-reliant. Each family “passes on the gift” by giving one or more if its animal’s offspring to another family in need. http://www.heifer.org/

True happiness lies in helping others. Next time you need to buy a gift for someone, consider Heifer International. I was on their website last night and it is truly amazing. You can even make a donation for yourself. One person CAN make a difference…just ask the family that will get my bees. The families earn income from honey, beeswax and pollen. Not to mention that if strategically placed, the beehives can up to double fruit and vegetable yields because the bees pollinate plants when searching for nectar. The family receives a package of bees, the box and hive and training in beekeeping.

Now THAT’S a gift!

Thanks for reading.

Message # 91 Skyrocket to the Top…

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This message is especially dedicated to the great Ann LoPrinzi.

I don’t care what your goal is. You might want to be a great tennis player; you might want to become a great writer; perhaps you want to become a great parent.

Whatever it is you want to succeed at, you can. See, the hard part is figuring out what you want to do; the easy part is doing it. Here’s how you do it…

If you want to be state champion in tennis, shoot for being the national champion.

If you want to be a great writer, shoot for being the best writer in the world.

If you want to be a great parent, shoot for being a phenomenal parent.

If you want to be a good student, try to be the best student in your school.

Most people are happy just getting to their goals, or close to them. The great ones shoot higher. If they miss, they’re still better than everyone else and they’re not so disappointed.

“Shoot for the moon. If you miss, at least you’ll be one of the stars.”

Thanks for reading.

Message # 90 Brain Food on the Run…

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This message is especially dedicated to the great Jessica Spack in North Carolina.

To function at peak performance, you need to be in top shape, mentally and physically. A good diet makes a HUGE difference. Food to your body is like gas is to your car. The better food you put into your body, the more efficient it will be, and the better it will run. You will have more energy, be able to last longer, your brain will function better, you will look better and be more healthy overall.

Now here’s the problem with most people…they’re too busy. That’s a whole ‘nother blog, but below is a list of grab and go brain foods.

Homemade trail mix
Apple slices with peanut butter
Low fat yogurt with fruit
Baby carrots with hummus
Whole wheat pita stuffed with garbanzos or edamame, shredded carrots, and few raisins, moistened with yogurt and flavored with a little curry powder
Mini fruit pops. Freeze juice in ice cube tray with popsicle stick
Celery stuffed with almond butter and raisins or hummus

Thank you, Pamela Harding (alternative medicine)

Homework: Put those quick brain food ingredients on your grocery list.