MESSAGE #718 ASIANS ARE NOT SMART...

"There is no substitute for hard work."

-THOMAS ALVA EDISON

Asians are known for being smart right?

First of all, what is being smart anyway?

For argument's sake, let's say that at many schools, Asian students are at the top of the class. They excel on the SATs. When I have an exceptionally good idea, I joke around and say it's because I'm Asian.

But here's the truth...

Asians are not smarter than everyone else.

They just work harder. Academics are their number one priority. They put more time into it. Many of my tennis students are taking math and english classes this summer.

They're Asian.

And they tell me that everyone in their class is Asian.

I know what you're thinking, "it's in their genes."

What happened to me?! I had only average grades in high school and I failed out of college, twice. Was I adopted?

No, I didn't work hard in academics. I worked hard in sports. (That's funny, I got pretty good at baseball and tennis).

It wasn't until I started studying what I loved that my grades skyrocketed. And then I became Pro of the Year.

So the next time you see an Asian person, don't think "There goes a smart person," or "NERD alert!"

Don't think "There goes someone smarter than me."

Instead, think, "There goes someone that works harder than me...in academics."

"And I can too."

Put in the time, get the results. Bottom line.

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #717 SUCCESS DOES NOT COME IN BOTTLES...

"The time is now, the place is here. Stay in the present. You can do nothing to change the past, and the future will never come exactly as you plan or hope for."
-DAN MILLMAN

Success does not come in bottles - it comes in "cans."

One of the things I like about myself is that I take action. I don't just say I'm going to do things, I actually do them.

Over the past couple of years, I have networked with some great people such as, Bob Ryland, James Blake, former NYC Mayor Dinkins, Rob Gilbert, Ellen Langer, Carol Dweck, Bob Emmons, Tal-Ben Shahar, Rayna DuBose, Carling Bassett-Seguso, Denise Capriati, Linda Courier, Jeff Greenwald, John Murray, Daniel Coyle and many more.

How did I do it?

I took action. I emailed some. I called some. I met some at various events. Most would not even approach these people. "Why would they want to talk to me?!" is a common question. Why not? The answer's no unless you ask. I usually get responses back from people. If I don't, no big deal; I'm no worse off. My latest connection? The great Dan Millman.

Dan Millman is one of my favorite authors. He has written fourteen books, including "The Way of the Peaceful Warrior" and "Mind Body Mastery." Below are my five questions with Dan...

Ed Tseng Interviews Dan Millman

ET: What is the most important lesson you have learned?

DM: I am often asked these "most important" or "favorite" questions, as if I could sort through the multitude of lessons I've presented in thirteen books and find "the one." This is tantamount to "the best meal you have ever eaten" or the "best film or book" you have ever read. In what genre? What time and place? My "most important" lessons continue to appear, moment to moment. Each arising situation, incident, challenge carries with it a potential lesson.

ET: Did you ever NOT feel like training? If so, what did you do/say to yourself?

DM: I did not (and do not necessarily) feel motivated to train (or take out the trash or do homework or write) on numerous occasions. I don't wait for motivation. I accept whatever feelings are (or are not) arising; I focus on a given purpose; and I do what needs to be done. It is not a matter of applying a technique or self-talk, at least for me. In the chapter on "Reclaiming Your Will" in my book Everyday Enlightenment, I address this issue of will and motivation in more depth. It will always come down to: Just do it.

ET: What is your favorite technique to stay in the present?

DM: Not sure whether it is a technique or not, but I notice my physical body-presence. I notice my breathing, I relax, and I do whatever I'm doing as smoothly as I can do it. Back to the body, back to the present. The body always lives in the present; the mind flits from past to future. It's fine to visit the past and future, but we don't want to live there.

ET: What is your favorite quote?

DM: I have more than 1,000 pages of quotations collected over several decades. As noted above, I have no single favorite. It depends upon what I need to draw upon in any given moment. I show a Daily Quotation on my home page each day — some of my favorites...

ET: What is your favorite inspirational story?

DM: This request reminds me of another favorite quote by Jack London, addressing writers (or anyone, really): "Never wait for inspiration — go after it with a stick!"

Dan Millman is a former world champion athlete, university coach, martial arts instructor, and college professor.
His 14 books -- including Way of the Peaceful Warrior, Wisdom of the Peaceful Warrior, The Life You Were Born to Live, No Ordinary Moments, The Laws of Spirit and The Journeys of Socrates -- have inspired millions of readers in 29 languages worldwide.
The feature film, "Peaceful Warrior," starring Nick Nolte, was adapted from Dan's first book, an autobiographical novel.
His keynotes and seminars have influenced men and women from all walks of life, including leaders in the fields of health, psychology, education, business, politics, sports, entertainment, and the arts.
For more information on Dan Millman, visit www.peacefulwarrior.com


Thanks for reading and thank you, Dan.

MESSAGE #716 ARE YOU MOTIVATED?

"People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents."
-ANDREW CARNEGIE

Are you motivated?

How do you feel about your sport, academics, job and relationships?

Are you enjoying the process? Are you curious? Do you want to get to the next level? Do you have drive?

Or are you comfortable being comfortable?

I know what you're thinking, "How can I get motivated?"

I thought you'd never ask...

1. Do what you love (and it will be easier to work hard).
2. Spend time with motivated people (and you will become motivated).
3. Make time every day to read motivational books, blogs (hint, hint), listen to motivational CD's or watch motivational movies.
4. ACT motivated, whether you feel like it or not (and soon you will feel motivated).

You may feel that getting motivated is hard, but it's not nearly as hard as competing against someone who is motivated when you're not.

Think about it.

Now do something about it.


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #715 TRY THIS AT HOME...OR WORK

"If your teeth are clenched and your fists are clenched, your lifespan is probably clenched."
-ADABELLA RADICI

Stress and pressure are killers, in sports and life.

When we are stressed, we increase chances of poor health and decrease chances of peak performance.

Do this simple exercise to let yourself relax, instead of making yourself relax.

Look for an object nearby, a coffee cup for example. I want you to reach for that coffee cup, but reach slowly, tightening every muscle in your arm and body. Clench your teeth, your neck muscles, your arm muscles, even your leg muscles. Slowly bring that object to your chest.

Now, put that object down and reach for it again, but this time, stay loose and smoothly reach for it and bring it to your chest.

Did you have a different experience?

Was it easier? Did it feel effortless?

I challenge you to do this exercise five times today. I think you will find that it will help you stay in the moment, play better and have less stress.

Leave your comments.


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #714 PEOPLE DON'T SING TO GET TO THE END OF THE SONG...

People don't sing to get to the end of the song. They sing because they enjoy the process of singing. Sports, work and school are the same way. Focus on the process, not the product.

Enjoy this precious video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfCqpzQSyuQ

MESSAGE #713 YOU ALREADY HAVE ALL THE TOOLS...

"All of the ability is already inside you."
-ROB GILBERT, PhD, Professor of Sports Psychology, Montclair State University

Does Roger Federer use a special racquet?

Does Steven King use a special dictionary?

Does Emeril Lagasse use special ingredients?

The answer to all of the above is...

No.

You have access to all of the tools you need to become successful. You just have to learn the strategies. Learn from the already successful people in your sport or line of work. Read books on the subject. If someone has done what you want to do, you can do it too.

The right ingredients will make a bad meal with the wrong recipe.

The right racquet will do nothing for you, without good strokes.

1. Figure out what your goals are.
2. Figure out how to get there.
3. Take action.

Now go out there and become the architect of your future...


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #712 CHANGE...

"If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make the change."
-MICHAEL JACKSON

“Be the change you want to see in the world."
-MAHATMA GANDHI

“Change is the essence of life. Be willing to surrender what you are for what you could become."
-author unknown

"There is nothing wrong with change, as long as it is in the right direction."
-WINSTON CHURCHILL

"We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude."
-CHARLES SWINDOLL

MESSAGE #711 A NINE YEAR-OLD WAS MY TEACHER YESTERDAY...

Jim Abbott pitched a no-hitter on Sept 4, 1993.
He was born without a right hand.

"Everyone is your student and everyone is your teacher."

I learned a great lesson yesterday.

I have learned many lessons, and have been inspired by many different people, like Jim Abbott (above), one of my heroes. But yesterday was a bit different.

There was a nine year-old boy in my tennis camp. It was his first time playing tennis. I take that back, his father had tried to teach him, but he had no formal training.

Everyone was having a good time and working hard.

At the end of the morning session, we finished with a game. After the game, I looked at this boy who I'll call "Hank" and he looked so upset. I asked what was wrong and he said, "I lost the game."

"Hank," I said to him, "I don't care if you win or lose. I only care if you give your best effort. I only care if you have fun." Hank responded, "Okay," not really convinced. Earlier in the day, I had told the campers to remember their ABCs...Always Behave Confidently.

Well Hank was with me for the afternoon session too and I tried to catch him doing good things and complimenting him.

At one point, I was playing against him in a game called, "drop ball." The score was tied, and we were both up at the net and I said, "I'm nervous!"

Unexpectedly, Hank, gave me a big smile and said...

"Don't be nervous - be confident!"



Thanks for reading...and thanks to my nine year-old teacher.

MESSAGE #710 WHAT ADVERSITY?

"Obstacles can't stop you. Problems can't stop you. And most of all, people can't stop you. Only you can stop you."

-JEFFREY GITOMER

I had a powerful night last night.

My radio show on Overcoming Adversity (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Game-Set-Life/2009/07/06/Overcoming-Adversity) featured the great Bob Ryland, the first black professional tennis player, Jennie Murphy, a legally blind student-athlete and Rayna DuBose, a Division I full-scholarship basketball phenom, turned amputee, turned motivational speaker.

If you think life is difficult for you, think again. It's all perspective.

Bob Ryland lived through segregation and had to sit at the back of the bus and use separate public drinking fountains and restrooms.

Jennie Murphy is legally blind and wears hearing aids. She plays four sports and is quarterback when she plays football. Her receivers clap loudly to tell her where to throw the ball.

Rayna DuBose was a superstar high school basketball player and got a full-ride to Virginia Tech. After her freshman year, she contracted a form of meningitis and within 24 hours, lost everything. She had her four limbs amputated. A year later, she went back to Virginia Tech, finished up her degree and was assistant coach for the basketball team. Now she is a motivational speaker.

If you look at these stories, life seems difficult.

But these are three of the most optimistic people I know.

They don't believe they have disabilities or went through hell. They feel it is what it is and your attitude determines how high you go.

Will you have pressure?

Of course, but it's what you do under that pressure that counts.

What gives you pressure? How will you handle it?

No pressure, no diamond.

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #709

Hope you enjoy this video as much as I enjoyed making it.

A special Happy Birthday to my grandmother, Fung Shee Pan - 104 years young!