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MESSAGE #958 HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

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Playing it safe in any form is a recipe for disappointment, frustration, and stagnation.
-JEFF GREENWALD

The quote above is from my friend, Jeff Greenwald, noted sports psychology consultant and author of The Best Tennis of Your Life. Greenwald believes that most people play it safe because they “fear missing and giving up a free point.”

Most people have this mindset. They want to stay in their comfort zone. The problem is that when you are scared of losing the point, you are training yourself to hold back. That is not peak performance. It doesn’t matter whether your weapon of choice is a racquet, pen, paintbrush or frying pan – you have to GO ALL OUT.

I recently had a mental coaching session with a young baseball, basketball and tennis player. He’s only in the 4th grade, but he gets it. Since working with me, he focuses on going all out every time he steps on the court or field. He’s even using my techniques and applying them to school. Not only is he getting better results, he’s also having more fun!

It’s better to go all out and lose than it is to hold back and win.

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MESSAGE #829 WHAT AM I DOING?!?

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“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”
-ALBERT SCHWEITZER

Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great Rob Gurden in Orange County, CA.

It’s 2:52am…

I am awake and motivated.

To my defense, I did go to bed early, at 9:30pm.

I didn’t even watch the end of the Yankees game. Anyone that knows me, knows that I bleed pinstripes. But it’s just a game, isn’t it?

Yesterday, I gave a three-hour workshop with the great Naime Jezzeny at Yogaphoria in New Hope, PA.

There were athletes and coaches there. Some were runners, some were swimmers, some were tennis players and some were equestrian riders. Some were there for the game of life.

During the workshop, Naime talked about caring.

“If you care too much in sports and life, you’re weak. If you care, but not too much, you’re powerful,” Jezzeny said.

I care about the Yankees, but if they don’t win, I know that it’s not the end of the world.

When I compete, I like winning, but when I don’t, I make sure that I learned something.

I care about my new Tseng Performance Academy, and was up writing down ideas, but it’s not a “have to,” it’s a “want to.”

When you’re competing, strive for relaxed focus, or as my friend, noted-sports psychologist, Jeff Greenwald says, playing loose.

Go all out, but be a little relaxed…like Bruce Springsteen in Message #807.

Remember the quote above.

Do what you love and you will work harder.

If you work harder, you will have a greater chance at success.

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #783 KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE BALL…

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“One reason so few of us achieve what we truly want is that we never direct our focus; we never concentrate our power. Most people dabble their way through life, never deciding to master anything in particular.”
-ANTHONY ROBBINS

Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great Kari Adams in Princeton, NJ.

When we play sports, we need to focus. We need to keep our eyes on the ball.

But focus is not enough.

We need to focus on the right things.

1. Focus on your strengths, but focus on your weaknesses too.
2. Focus on where you want to go, not where you don’t.
3. Focus on the things you can control and forget about the things you can’t.

Goal setting is a major component. Write down your goals. Make them specific. Set a time frame in which to reach them. “You can’t hit a target you cannot see.”

My friend, Jeff Greenwald, author of “The Best Tennis of Your Life,” has an interesting perspective on focus. He says that when you’re playing a point, you need to have laser focus. Pretend that your eyes are a camera lens and you are zoomed in. But after the point, have the lens go to wide-angle and relax. Take in nature, have gratitude.

I really like this technique because most people think you have to focus all the time. This isn’t true…or possible. Focus and then relax. I have parents tell me that their child has no focus and that they’re looking at the other courts during a tournament. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that if they can re-gain their focus for the next point.

You can use this at work or school too. My friend and mentor, the great Dr. Rob Gilbert, Professor of Sports Psychology at Montclair State University and author of “How to Have Fun without Failing Out” talks about the 15-minute rule. If you’re doing work (business or school), go all-out for fifteen minutes and then take a quick break. Then get back to work. Keep alternating between your work and breaks. This will keep you fresh and focused.


Thanks for reading.

For all you athletes out there, don’t miss my workshop with internationally known yoga master, Naime Jezzeny at Yogaphoria in New Hope, PA on October 4th from 10am-11am. The free session will focus on the mental side of sports and the power of yoga to improve focus, gain strength and prevent injuries.