MESSAGE #428 DISNEY BOOK CLUB...

So my friend was recently at Disney and look what she found...

WHAT IS PLUTO READING?
LILO LIKES "GAME"

STITCH CAN'T PUT IT DOWN...

Peak performance for Disney characters...I like it.

Thanks for checking in.

MESSAGE #427 INSANITY...

Today's message is especially dedicated to the great Richard Hall in the Marketing/Professional Tennis Management program at Ferris State University.

Well, it's official...I'm insane.

I woke up at 3:30AM with an idea...so I went downstairs and fired up my laptop. I updated by Facebook page, my Myspace page, my Amazon page, my edtseng.com page, my blog on princetonlivingwell.com and linked them all together (thanks, Karin Hiebert), sent out some emails, and now it is 6:06AM.

Now wait a minute, I know what you're thinking..."All authors are crazy!"

OK, I'll be the first to admit that I'm a bit crazy.

Crazy about life.

Crazy about my job.

Crazy about helping others.

Crazy about marketing my book.

Crazy about leaving a legacy.

If you look in the history books, every major figure was thought to be crazy at some point in their lives. Do I think that I can make a major difference in the world?...

In a weird way...yes.

Not because I'm smarter, better looking, or more talented than anyone else...

It's because I WANT to make a difference.

I WANT to help others become better.

I WANT to make the most out of my life.

What do YOU want?

OK, time to start my day...again.

So do yourself a favor...

Go a little crazy today.


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #426 BELIEF AND ENCOURAGEMENT...

"You can't do it."

"That's impossible!"

"Give up."

Have you heard these words before? I sure have.

I have a feeling that someone reading this message is thinking about doing something new, or contemplating continuing a task. If you really want to accomplish something, I may be the first one to tell you...

YOU CAN DO IT! KEEP GOING...

And if you're a teacher or a coach...GIVE YOUR STUDENTS HOPE!

Let me tell you a story from 1001 Great Stories and Quotes:

Paderewski, the famous composer-pianist, was scheduled to perform at a great concert hall in America...Present in the audience that evening was a mother with her fidgety nine-year-old son. Weary of waiting, he squirmed constantly in his seat. His mother was in hopes that her boy would be encouraged to practice the piano if he could just hear the immortal Paderewski at the keyboard. So-against his wishes-he had come.

As she turned to talk with her friends, her son could stay seated no longer. He slipped away from her side, strangely drawn to the ebony concert-grand Steinway and its leather-tufted stool on the huge stage floored with blinding lights. Without much notice from the sophisticated audience, the boy sat down at the stool, staring wide-eyed at the black and white keys. He placed his small, trembling fingers in the right location and began to play "Chopsticks." The roar of the crowd was hushed as hundreds of frowning faces turned in his direction. Irritated and embarrassed, they began to shout: "Get that boy away from there." "Who'd bring a kid that young in here?" "Where's his mother?" "Somebody stop him!"

Backstage, the master overheard the sounds out front and quickly put together in his mind what was happening. Hurriedly, he grabbed his coat and rushed toward the stage. Without one word of announcement, he stepped over behind the boy, reached around both sides, and began to improvise a counter melody to harmonize and enhance "Chopsticks." As the two of them played together, Paderewski kept whispering in the boy's ear: "Keep going. Don't quit, son. Keep on playing...Don't stop...Don't quit."

So today's message to you is...

Keep going.

Don't quit.

Don't stop.


Thanks for reading on a Sunday.

MESSAGE #425 GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND YOUR RESULTS...

Today's message is especially dedicated to the great Kaleb Patrick.

It's not enough to take action.

It's not enough to set goals.

You must be specific!

Here are two quotes on getting things done...

"If you don't know where you're going, you could wind up someplace else."

-Yogi Berra



"Would you tell me please, which way I ought to go
from here?"

"That depends a good deal on where you want to
get to."

-Lewis Carrol, Alice in Wonderland


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #424 THE ONLY THING YOU NEED TO DO TODAY...

Today's message is especially dedicated to the great Julia Bukovinsky.

Do you ever think about what you're doing with your life?

Do you ever ask yourself if your life has meaning?

Do you ever ask yourself if you are truly happy?

Well, I have one rule that if you follow it, you will become successful.

COMMIT TO CONSTANT IMPROVEMENT. PERIOD.

Yes, I know you like to stay in your comfort zone, but greatness lies just beyond that comfort zone. You have to stretch yourself.

Do you want to be comfortable or do you want to be GREAT?

Become a better athlete.

Become a better student.

Become a better employee.

Become a better romantic partner.

It doesn't have to be Earth-shattering...just become a little bit better.


"The only true security in life comes from knowing that every single day you are improving yourself in some way."

-Anthony Robbins



Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #423 FEAR IS OK...

"I have been terrified every day of my life, but that has never stopped me from doing everything I wanted to do."

-Georgia O'Keeffe


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #422 THE THREE MOST POWERFUL WORDS I KNOW...

Today's message is especially dedicated to the great Cheri Durst.

The three most powerful words I know are...

DO IT...NOW!




Come visit the Tseng Performance/Tennis Solutions booth today at the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce's 27th Annual Trade Fair and Culinary Showcase (Booth #17).

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #421 I'M THE PAGE 7 GUY IN THE TRENTONIAN TODAY...

Today's message is especially dedicated to the great Wendy Landree.

Last night I had my first book signing at Amalfi's Restaurant in Lawrenceville. I think it was a success.

The Trentonian (page 7 of today's paper) and Trenton Times newspapers sent photographers.

Tennis players, business professionals, students and professors were there.

A Special Olympics gold medalist was there.

A Broadway and film agent was there.

The Mystery Man from the Sopranos was there.

Let me tell you something about me...

I've had photography exhibitions at local restaurants (edphotos.com), but I'm not a great photographer.

I was named Pro of the Year, USTA/NJD in 2005, but I'm not a great tennis pro.

I just published my first book, but I didn't like reading until a couple years ago.

So why do I succeed?

I'll tell you...

Determination = Success

You don't have to be the most skilled, best looking, or be the most talented person, but you DO need...

Determination, Desire, and Drive.

You can have anything you desire in life...if you want it badly enough.

I know, because if I can do it, YOU can do it.


Thanks for reading.

Come by the 27th annual Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce's Trade Fair and Culinary Showcase tomorrow, September 24th between 10 AM and 4 PM. I'll be at booth #17.

MESSAGE #420 WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A WINNER...

Today's message is especially dedicated to the great Derek Jeter.

Many people ask me what it takes to be a winner.

Most people think winning is the result you get, whether it's money, a trophy, grades or a raise.

I call those things by-products.

Winning, in my mind, is your effort.

Your attitude.

Your character.

If you do your best...how can you do any better?

If you have the right attitude, you can overcome any obstacle or condition.

And if you have character, well then you've got it all.

Last night I watched the final game at Yankee Stadium. I enjoyed the game, the re-caps, the tributes and my own personal memories of the House that Ruth Built. It was hard to choose one thing to blog about, but after the game, I knew instantly...

After the final out and some celebration, the New York Yankees and their captain, Derek Jeter, took the microphone at the pitcher's mound.

Jeter spoke on behalf of the team and he didn't talk about how great they were, or their 26 World Championships.

He talked about what an honor it was to put on the pinstripes. And talked about how it was a team effort from players present and past. And most importantly, they thanked their fans...and they meant it. That's class.

Many people hate the Yankees because they have won so much and they have such a big payroll. I can see that. But I'm a Yankee for life because they have class. They are professionals. And last night confirmed it.

Yankee Stadium...thanks for the memories.

Thanks for reading.

Hope to see you tonight at the first book signing of "Game. Set. Life." at Amalfi's Restaurant in Lawrenceville, 7-9 PM.

MESSAGE #419 DREAMS ARE REAL...

Today's message is especially dedicated to the great Josh Passchier in Corbondale, CO.

Have you ever had a dream so real that you woke up and thought that it actually happened? A friend of mine had such a vivid dream the other night that she was in her friend's beautiful home. The next day, she thought to herself, "Wow, I would love to live in that house." But then she remembered that it was just a dream and that house didn't really exist. I'm sure you've had dreams where things seemed like they really happened.

See, your brain doesn't know the difference between what you envision in your mind and what happens in real life.

Most of the successful athletes, businesspeople, performers and students use visualization or imagery to reach peak performance.

You can visualize what you want to accomplish, how you want to perform or who you want to become. When you do this, you increase the chances of it actually happening. Use all your senses and make it as realistic as possible.

So use the power of your mind to your advantage. Most successful people visualize who they want to be, before they actually become that person. You can do the same.

Don't forget, book signing at Amalfi's Restaurant in Lawrenceville, Monday, September 22nd, 7-9PM. Great food, music, Game. Set. Life. stickers, newspaper photographers and a special Game. Set. Life. drink...the tennis ball, created by the great Jennifer Downes. See you then!

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #418 ENTHUSIASM

You can do anything if you have enthusiasm.
Enthusiasm is the yeast that makes your hopes rise to the stars.
Enthusiasm is the sparkle in your eye. It is the swing in your gait,
the irresistible surge of your will and your energy to execute your ideas.
Enthusiasts are fighters.
They have fortitude.
They have staying quality.
Enthusiasm is at the bottom of all progress.
With it there is accomplishment.
Without it there are only abilities.

-Henry Ford


Enthusiasm will help you get more tips as a waiter or waitress.
Enthusiasm will help you make more sales.
Enthusiasm will help you get better grades.
Enthusiasm will help you win more in sports.
If you have enthusiasm, you are a winner.
And the secret is...
You can have enthusiasm, whether you feel like it or not.

-Ed Tseng

MESSAGE #417 THE QUICKEST WAY TO REACH A GOAL...

Today's message is especially dedicated to the great Sergeant Longo.

I always tell people that the quickest way to hit a target is to start shooting and make adjustments. That's how you reach a goal; you need to take action and make adjustments instead of just "thinking" or "talking" about it.

I asked Sergeant Christopher Longo of the Lawrence Police Department if hitting a target at the shooting range was the same way. "Well, I won't just tell you, I'll show you."

So yesterday, Sergeant Longo took me to the shooting range and I shot a .40 and .45. handgun. Guess what?

I hit the bull's eye on the first round. Watch the video below.

MESSAGE #416

SUCCESS SEEMS TO BE
LARGELY A MATTER OF
HANGING ON AFTER
OTHERS HAVE LET GO.

-William Feather

MESSAGE #415 OPPORTUNITY IS KNOCKING...

Today's message is especially dedicated to the great Avesh Jain.

From Napoleon Hill's book, Positive Action Plan: 365 Meditations for Making Each Day a Success...

ARE YOU WAITING FOR SUCCESS TO ARRIVE, OR ARE YOU GOING OUT TO FIND WHERE IT IS HIDING?

If you are waiting for success to seek you out, you are headed for a big disappointment. Success is rarely forced upon anyone, and it will never overtake you unexpectedly. You must prepare for it and actively seek it out if you ever plan to achieve any measure of success in your life. Constantly be alert to changes in your business or profession. Subscribe to trade magazines and professional journals, join industry associations or professional societies, and get to know the experts in the field in order to keep abreast of new developments.

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #414 TIP FROM THE SOPRANOS

Congratulations to Will Moulthrop in Kansas City, MO for winning a free signed copy of Game. Set. Life. - Peak Performance for Sports and Life.

Anybody watch the Sopranos? Remember the last episode and the "Mystery Man" at the counter that supposedly killed Tony Soprano? His name in real life is Paolo Colandrea.

Last night I spent some time with Paolo.

Paolo knows success. Perhaps because he was on the Sopranos.

But I think that Paolo is successful because he came to America from Naples, Italy with $70 in his pocket.

And now, he just came back from two months in Italy on his new boat.

Paolo told me that every day in Italy he went on his boat and all he brought with him was olive oil, garlic, pasta and his snorkel mask and fins. He would jump off his boat and dive down and catch some clams, mussels and sea urchin and add it to the pasta. That was dinner every night. That is the life.

Yes, I WAS salivating when he told me this.

But all of this is a by-product of hard work. I asked Paolo what he thought the keys to success were...

1. Desire
2. Patience
3. Determination

It worked for him, and it can work for you...


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #413 WISDOM

Today's message is especially dedicated to the great Ann LoPrinzi.

Are you wise? Are you intelligent?

What is wisdom and intelligence?

I'll tell you what I think they are...

Wisdom is knowing what to do with what you know.

See, EVERYONE knows what to do but NOBODY does what they know.


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #412 FOCUS

People lose focus every day on the court, in the classroom and in the boardroom. Don't let this happen to you.


Thanks for checking in.

MESSAGE #411

Vince Lombardi said that the quality of someone's life is directly related to that person's commitment to excellence and victory.

I agree.

Do you want to be excellent and victorious at tennis, painting or sales? How about relationships?

Skills are important, but your attitude is the key.

Do you have the ability inside you to become great?

Of course you do. You just have to start taking action. Start acting how you want to become and you will start to become the way you act.

You can only become as great as your self image, so start being your own fan - your own inner coach instead of inner critic.

Start today!


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #410 BEST SELLER???

Today's message is especially dedicated to the great James Tillinghast in Delaware.

Well, it's official - my new book, Game. Set. Life. is currently ranked higher than Roger Federer's book, Billie Jean King's, Gone with the Wind, Oprah's, and Tennis For Dummies on Amazon.com.

I extend much gratitude to everyone that purchased my book on Amazon yesterday. It really helped bump me up from #386,000 to #4,988. Not a bad start.

Let's have a contest...

Whoever can tell me (in as many words as you like) why you need a copy of Game. Set. Life., you win a free copy signed by myself and one of my friends, students and heroes, who wrote the forward to my book...Brad Abouchedid, Special Olympics, Gold Medalist in Tennis.

Let's give it until Monday, September 15th at noon. Email me at ed10s26@yahoo.com and good luck!


Thanks for reading.

Game. Set. Life. - Peak Performance for Sports and Life

MESSAGE # 409 DON'T QUIT!

Today's message is especially dedicated to the great Andy Joseph.

I have a feeling that someone reading this blog today has thought about quitting.

Quitting your job.
Quitting your sports team.
Quitting your relationship.
Quitting your instrument.

Well, let me tell you something...

Don't quit, don't quit, don't quit, don't quit, don't quit, don't quit, don't quit.

Quitters never win and winners never quit.

Here is an email that I received yesterday...

"This morning, I got up and went for a run. It was a good run, and part of what got me up was something you had said in one of your blogs...'Do the right thing...whether you feel like it or not.' So hopefully I'll be a little faster or feel a little better on the run portion of my triathlon on Saturday! =) Thanks!"

Winners never quit.

Did Michael Jordan quit? No.

Did Thomas Edison quit? No.

Did Elmer McAllister quit?

You don't know who Elmer McAllister is?

Of course not...he QUIT!!!!


Thanks for reading.

Don't forget to order your copy of Game. Set. Life. tonight at 8:08pm on amazon.com! Part of the proceeds go to children who lost a parent in 9/11 (Tuesday's Children).

MESSAGE #408 US OPEN WINNERS

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.

MESSAGE #407 HOPE

At the age of five, Glenn Cunninghan (1909-1988) suffered serious burns to the legs, and the doctors had no hopes for his recovery. They all felt that he was condemned to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.

Glenn Cunningham paid no attention to the doctors and got out of bed the following week.

“The doctors saw my legs but they did not see my heart. Now I’m going to run faster than anyone.”

In 1934 he beat the 1500-meter world record with the time of 4 minutes and 6.20 seconds. He was paid homage in Madison Square Garden as Athlete of the Century.

-From Warrier of the Light newsletter by Paulo Coelho

If you have hope, you have everything. Remember what HOPE stands for...

Hold On Possibilities Exist


Well, it's official - my new book, Game. Set. Life. - Peak Performance for Sports and Life is now available on amazon.com. Search in books under "Game Set Life" or "Edward Tseng."

But wait!!! Don't buy it yet. Do me a favor and wait until this Thursday, September 11th and go online to purchase it at 8:08pm. This way I have a chance to be one of the top sellers. Tell all your friends! Part of the proceeds will go towards Tuesday's Children, helping children who lost a parent in 9/11. I'm a mentor for a great young man named Amish.


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #406 JAMAICAN TENNIS TIPS...

Today's message is especially dedicated to the great Zuki in Jamaica.

I spent some time today with Zuki, the local tennis pro at Sandals, Montego Bay. Zuki used to play on the pro tour and has been the resident pro for seven years. I asked Zuki what he felt were the top keys to peak performance as a tennis pro at Sandals. Here's what he had to say...

1. Patience
2. Be a motivator
3. Creativity

If you are any type of teacher, follow these three principles and you will stand out from the crowd.

Tomorrow's message from NJ...


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #405 LAST FULL DAY IN JAMAICA...

I just had the most amazing piece of mango...

So it's my last day here in Jamaica. As I blog, I am looking out into the ocean and I see the dark shades of blue from the early morning sun. The scuba and snorkel boats are floating quietly awaiting the day's action. There's a nice breeze with no humidity in the air, welcoming another gorgeous day.

Although this week has been amazing, I have to admit, I am looking forward to getting back home and working.

Now, I know what you're thinking...

"Ed, are you crazy?"

But what I mean is that I am looking forward to marketing my new book, setting up speaking engagements and teaching tennis. I love what I do. I do what I love. It's not work.

If I "live" for my vacations, I will only be happy a small portion of my life, but if I "live" for the life I am creating for myself, then I will be happy for most of my life. The vacations will be a bonus.

The time will never be right, go out and be the architect of your future instead of a prisoner of your past.

It's not too late to be what you might have been.

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #404 IT ONLY TAKES ONE...

A very special birthday greeting to the great Grace Ho in Austin, Texas.

Although I haven't had a terribly large number of students here in Jamaica, I still give them my all. It doesn't matter whether I have one student or 100, they will still get my all-out effort. My thinking is that if I can help one person get better or one person enjoy their vacation that much more, my job is done. I could easily not care so much if I only have one student, but I do. It's not quantity, it's quality. Being a waiter is the same way. Remember, it's the little things that get you...

Richardo is a server at Sandals Montego Bay who gives exceptional customer service. I asked Richardo what the top three keys to success in the restaurant industry were. Here's what he had to say...

1. Keep learning
2. Stay focused
3. Stay positive and confident

There you have it from Jamaica on Day 6.


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #403 OUCH!!!

Day 5 in Jamaica was another good one - some snorkeling, sailing, beach and pool. It was all good, but while I was in the ocean, I got stung by a jellyfish.

It wasn't even a jellyfish, it was a jellyfish tentacle. I didn't know what it was - it just wrapped itself around my wrist but then it began to sting. I was fine.

Did I get bitten by a great white shark today?

No, it was just a jellyfish tentacle, so what does that mean?

It's not the big things in life that get you...it's the little things.

Your life, sport or job is the same way.


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #402 STICKINESS...

As I look at the many shades of blue in the ocean and think about what message to talk about today, I instantly think back to dinner last night.

Last night I went to a Thai restaurant - it was very good. But I'll never forget it. It instantly "stuck" to my mind. That's stickiness. That's how people remember things and how you create an epidemic.

Why was this restaurant unique? The food wasn't amazing, but what made it sticky, was the fact that it was on it's own private island. Most restaurants you take a car, we took a boat. And the service was top-notch.

So if you want to stand out from the crowd, be unique. Think outside the box.

Today? Some snorkeling and sailing.


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #401 EVERY-TING IRIE IN JAMAICA...

Today's message is especially dedicated to the great Justin Philip.

In Day 3 in Jamaica, everything is irie. That means, all is good. All is well.

This morning I had breakfast and then taught an hour of tennis. After that, I needed to cool off, so I threw on my bathing suit and went into the ocean. After that, I enjoyed some ackee and saltfish (Jamaica's national dish). From there, it was beach to pool to jacuzzi to pool. Then, I taught a lesson to a high school tennis coach from Michigan, Justin Philip (photo above).

Right after this message, we're heading over to another resort for dinner.

I know what you're thinking...what's the message for today, Ed? Well, how about...

Work hard and play hard.

If you've been working hard, start planning your next vacation.

If you've been slacking off, start working harder.

More tomorrow from paradise...

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #400 YA MON...

Well, here I am the Sandals, Montego Bay, Jamaica, as the visiting tennis pro for the week. It's not a bad deal - room, food, drinks, tips, taxes, water sports, land sports...all for free. I only have two lessons a day and the rest of the time I will have to decide where to eat, what to read, and whether to go to the beach or pool/jacuzzi.

I know what you're thinking..."Ed, don't work so hard," but someone has to do it. But seriously, folks, the reason why I have access to many tropical islands to be a visiting tennis pro is a by-product of years of hard work. But those years of hard work weren't so hard because I was enjoying what I was doing. See, winners win because they have the right attitude.

"Our attitude determines our altitude."

So think like a winner and you will become a winner.

More from Jamaica tomorrow...

1-love, Tseng.

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #399 LAST BLOG MESSAGE FROM THE US...

Today's message is especially dedicated to the great Michael Romisher.

It's 3:53AM and I'm about to leave for Philadelphia International Airport to hop on a flight to Montego Bay, Jamaica. I will be a visiting tennis pro down there for eight days. So, the next blog message will be from MoBay, but let me leave the States with a quote...

"The best players help others to be best players."


Thanks for reading.