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MESSAGE #771 WINNING…

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“The better player doesn’t always win; the player that plays better always wins.”

The fastest horse doesn’t always win the race.

The best team doesn’t always win the game.

Upsets occur all the time in sports and life.

It happened yesterday at the US Open. Eighth-seeded Victoria Azarenka, a three-time title winner on tour this year, lost to Francesca Schiavone.

Schiavone was the twenty-sixth seed.

She had never beaten Azarenka before.

Azarenka was clearly the favorite. She hit ten double-faults. The last one on match point. She proceeded to smash her racquet on the court.

So what does this mean to you?

Anything is possible.

What limiting beliefs do you have? Do you walk on the court thinking you don’t have a chance? Do you go into a test thinking you won’t do well? Do you start a speech and think you’re going to forget your lines?

At some point duing the match yesterday, Schiavone realized she had a chance to win.
And at some point during the match, Azarenka realized she had a chance to lose.

From there, anything can happen…

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #768 USTA TENNIS TEACHERS CONFERENCE AND US OPEN WRAP-UP…

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“Don’t worry about things you can’t control.”

Well, I’m back in Princeton, NJ after a whirlwind NYC tour at the USTA Tennis Teachers Conference and a US Open book signing. I am pleased with how everything turned out.

If you read my message from Monday, you know that there was a mix-up with the ordering of my books for the TTC. I had a book signing but no books. It worked out and books were available.

I couldn’t control the fact that I didn’t have books five hours before my book signing. It wasn’t easy, but I focused on preparing for my talk and staying in the present moment.

Your life is the same way. There will always be challenges. Someone once said, “Life is a series of problem-solving events.”
It’s true. You can’t control the problems, but you can control your perception of them. And you can control your response. On the court. In school. At work. At home.

Yesterday, I had a book signing at the US Open bookstore, just before Billie Jean King. It went very well; I sold some books, then met Billie Jean. She was very nice. She called me Edwardo. Funny. I gave her a copy of my book and she signed an old Time magazine for me, thanks to my friend, Melissa Sapio, editor of “Game. Set. Life.” and a great GSL promoter.

The rest of the day was spent catching up with friends and tennis pros from all over the world, though I did manage to watch one set of Cilic’s match in the Grandstand.

I met some great people in the industry at the Tennis Teachers Conference and US Open. It was a pleasure presenting my workshop and experiencing this great event.

I could focus on the things that didn’t go so well, but why would I waste that energy?

I hope you enjoyed the photos above.

For those of you in the Princeton, NJ area, don’t miss my peak performance workshop and US Open party tomorrow at Mrs. G’s TV and Appliances in Lawrenceville. 6-9pm.
Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #767 IT’S ALL GOOD…

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“The person who sends out positive thoughts activates the world around him positively and draws back to himself positive results.”
-NORMAN VINCENT PEALE

As you know, yesterday I had a bit of drama as I had a book signing at the USTA Tennis Teachers Conference and no books. It worked out, but not without a lot of stress on my end. Someone from the USTA was nice enough to go to the US Open bookstore and pick up thirty books and bring them to the Grand Hyatt for my book signing at 1:30pm yesterday.

I was quite stressed before my talk at 11:15am, but did a little meditation to get in the zone. I was fine. I think my talk went well and sold quite a few books at the signing.

I did have to go back to Princeton last night to pick up more books, but it could have been worse. My positive mindset helped.

Today, I am going to listen to Allen Fox speak at 8:30am and then heading over to the Open to do a book signing at the US Open bookstore (near Court 10), just before Billie Jean King.

I will be sure to post an update and photos tomorrow…

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #765 I’M IN THE US OPEN!!!

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“Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is more important than the outcome.”
-ARTHUR ASHE

Well, I have a few big days coming up.

I head into NYC today for the USTA Tennis Teachers Conference. I will be speaking alongside industry leaders, such as, Patrick McEnroe, Brad Gilbert, Mary Joe Fernandez and Peter Burwash on Monday. Then, on Tuesday, I will be doing a book signing at the US Open Bookstore just before Billie Jean King.

As I tell my close friends, this is going to be…

Average.

You can’t get too high and you can’t get too low. Everything is a stepping stone to something better. Once you think you’ve made it, you’re done. I will never think I’ve made it. I seek to constantly improve.

Bruce Springsteen was once asked backstage after one of his concerts, how he gave such a great performance every night.
Bruce said, “That’s easy – two things…

#1. Every night I tell myself that this is the most important concert of my my career…and #2…

It’s only rock and roll.

What does this mean? Your effort should be all out, but your attitude should be a little relaxed.

It’s only rock and roll.
It’s only tennis.
It’s only a talk and book signing…

Next blog message from NYC…


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #763 ANDRE THE GIANT…

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

“I miss the relationships. I miss my peers. I miss the fans being up close and personal and being able to impact their day for a couple hours. But I’ve also chosen to look at my life as a canvas to impact people for a lot longer than that. You don’t get the immediate feedback, but your life’s work truly has a bigger relevance than just a break from their day when they come out to watch you. This is about real change and real impact.”
-ANDRE AGASSI

The quote above was from a recent New York Times article.

Andre Agassi was always my favorite tennis player. I remember when he first came up and had that long hair and wore those denim Nike shorts. All he had was that big forehand.

He’s come a long way since the 80s. He went from punk to professional. He turned into a class act. I really liked Andre as a player, but I like him even more now that he’s retired.

He has started a charter school in Las Vegas in a rough neighborhood so that underprivileged children could attend college and have a brighter future. He’s making a difference and seeing how the rewards are greater than all the money and trophies he won on the tour.

Very few of my students will go on and be as successful as Andre on the tennis court, but ALL of my students can go on and become as successful as Andre off the court. The lessons you learn and the challenges you face in sports will help you in all areas of life. And remember, it’s about others.

Beginning Sunday, I will be in New York City, speaking at the USTA Tennis Teachers Conference on Monday, August 31st at the Grand Hyatt and then I will be doing a book signing at the US Open on September 1st (I will be Billie Jean King’s opening act). Monday evening they will be honoring Andre Agassi and others for their philanthropic work after retiring. Hopefully I will get a chance to see him.

To read the full article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/28/sports/tennis/28agassi.html?emc=eta1

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #761 I’M BAAAAACK….

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“Game. Set. Life. is a very motivating and inspiring book. Ed does a great job of teaching how to be positive and flip the thought process on the court or in life when negativity enters the mind. My friends and I recently attended one of his seminars and we were very impressed with his ability to capture his audience! We truly enjoyed his tips for peak performance.”
-DENISE CAPRIATI, mother of Jennifer Capriati, former world #1 tennis player

So I’m back from a successful trip to Florida. I spoke to tennis players, coaches, business professionals and even a family from Brazil that didn’t know much English. Denise Capriati showed up and brought her tennis friends.

I also had a great meeting with the great Tracy Hanlon and she, along with Chris Kennedy, the top racquet stringer in Palm Beach County, and Sandy Bell, tennis teaching pro at RiverWalk, are helping me line up some more speaking engagements for November. I already have one talk lined up at Ballenisles, home of Venus and Serena Williams, and am working on The Breakers, SeaView and other locations.

So I’m back home in Princeton, NJ and getting back in the groove as I prepare for the US Open. Sunday I will be heading into the city for the USTA Tennis Teachers Conference; Monday I will be speaking to tennis teachers, coaches and administrators from all over the world at the Grand Hyatt. After my talk I will be doing a book signing for the conference attendees. Then, on Tuesday, September 1, I will be doing a book signing at the US Open bookstore (near Court 10) during the day session.

I know what you’re thinking, “What’s the message of the day?”

The message of the day is this…

If I can fail out of college, twice and then become Pro of the Year and start my own business, then write a book and present it at the US Open, you can do whatever it is you want.

Anything is possible. There is a decent buzz going around about my book and speaking engagements, but guess what? I spent the past year promoting it, full-time. And now I’m reaping the benefits.

You get out what you put in.

I don’t think that my book is the best book out there, but I certainly put in the time to market it.

If you put in the time in your sport, in your job, in your relationships, you will get better results, so long as you’re doing the right things.

Talk is cheap. Take action today.

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #738 I WAS NERVOUS IN PRACTICE…

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“If you perform to the best of your ability, you may not always win but you will never lose.”
-LAWRENCE LEMIEUX, Olympic sailing competitor

Today’s message is especially dedicated to my favorite tennis twins, Sammy and Leah Schaeffer…sorry, Bryan Brothers.

I remember the first time I hit with Martina Navratilova. We were playing doubles in preparation for her comeback out of retirement. Martina and I were on opposite teams and warming up one-on-one with each other. I remember the first couple balls I hit with her. All I kept thinking was, “I’m hitting with a living legend!” and my whole body was tense. I hit a couple short balls and even mis-hit one.

But then, I thought, “This is ridiculous, she’s just another tennis player. Play tennis!”

At first I had to act like I was more confident than I was, but after a few minutes, a light switch went on, and I started playing well – playing loose.

Remember, the winners and losers feel the same feelings, they just act differently. Was Martina nervous warming up with me? Probably not, but I’m sure she has been nervous before some US Open finals.

My friend, Nicole Arendt, former World #2 WTA Doubles, told me that when she was serving for the match in the finals of Wimbledon, she was so nervous that her hands were shaking.

So if the pros get nervous, it’s okay if you get nervous.

As long as you don’t act nervous.

Act like the person you want to be, even if you’re not that person…yet.
Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #529 READ TODAY…WIN TOMORROW…

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So yesterday I played at the brand new USTA Indoor Training Center at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (US Open).

The facility is about 80 percent complete and is already amazing. As you walk up to the building, you see the beautiful glass front and as you step inside, all the past champions are looking at you from above. The courts play beautifully. Currently they have nine indoor courts with a viewing platform above. Three more courts will be soon completed in a different part of the building. The immaculate locker rooms are identical to the ones used by the pros in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Being on these historical grounds truly motivated me. Now let me try to motivate you…

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”
-MARCEL PROUST

“When a thing is done, it’s done. Don’t look back. Look forward to your next objective.”
-GENERAL GEORGE C. MARSHALL

“I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze, than it should be stifled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.”
-JACK LONDON

“Nothing can work me damage except myself; the harm that I sustain, I carry about with me, and never am a real sufferer but by my own fault.”
-ST. BERNARD

“Happiness comes to those who are moving toward something they want very much to happen. And it almost always involves making someone else happy.”
-EARL NIGHTINGALE

“Purpose channels everything else…Without the sense of purpose, the spirit of adventure can go in many different directions, and the capacity for growth probably would not be realized as completely.”
-JIM NEWTON
“Come to the edge!
(It’s too high!)
Come to the edge!
(We might fall!)
Come to the edge!
And he pushed them…and they flew!”
-CHRISTOPHER LOGUE, poet
Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #528 I’M PLAYING IN THE US OPEN TODAY!

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It is many a child’s dream to play in the US Open.

Today, I will be playing at the US Open, Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in their brand new indoor facility.

Am I playing for money?
No.

Is it a tournament?
No.

I am hitting with sports agent, Ian Rubel.

I work hard, but I play hard. See, success is not about money. There is nothing wrong with making money, but many people think that in order to be happy, they need a lot of money. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Success is about enjoying the journey.
Working hard and playing hard.
Making a difference in the world-every day.
Making the best of every situation.
Being nice.
Having gratitude for all the big and little things in your life.

In these tough economic times, it’s easy to say, “Why me?” but it’s all perception. Even though you may be out of a job, there are people in the world that don’t even know if they will live long enough to have their next meal. Bob Ryland, the first black tennis pro, went through hell, but if you look at him, he is always smiling and laughing.

Don’t look for success in money or material things.
Don’t look for success in the future…

Success is already inside you. Enjoy today, it’s all we have right now.


Thanks for checking in.

MESSAGE #408 US OPEN WINNERS

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Congratulations to Serena Williams and Roger Federer for winning this year’s US Open tennis championship.

I have to admit, I’m quite impressed with both Serena and Roger. There is no doubt that they are elite athletes, but I know their secret.

Two words…

HARD WORK

Everyone sees their results on TV, but nobody sees how hard they work. Serena even talked about how hard she has been working in her interview after the match. Roger Federer trains in extreme conditions so that everything else will be easy. When you look at Serena, do you think, “Wow, she was blessed with a great body,” or do you think, “She must work out.” Of course she works out.

Nothing beats hard work.

“Diligence beats intelligence.”


Thanks for reading.