MESSAGE #735 THE NOCEBO EFFECT...

"Whether you think you can or think you can't, either way you're right."
-HENRY FORD

We all know about the placebo effect - when a treatment or medication with no therapeutic value (i.e., a sugar pill) is administered to a person and their symptoms improve. This person believes and expects the medicine will work, therefore it does. Placebo comes from the Latin "I shall please."

The opposite is something called the nocebo effect, which is Latin for "I will cause pain."

"In one study, a group of students was told that a mild electric current would be sent through their brains, and that it might cause a headache in some of them. They were fitted with electrodes, but no electricity was applied. Even so, 70 percent of them suffered headaches."
-From "Meditation as Medicine" by Khalsa and Stauth

So as stated in my book, "Game. Set. Life. - Peak Performance for Sports and Life," sports and life are a self-fulfilling prophecy. What you believe is oftentimes what comes true.

What are your beliefs?


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #734 RELAXATION...

STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING. GIVE ME SEVEN MINUTES OF YOUR TIME.

EVERYONE SAYS TO RELAX, OR KNOWS THAT THEY SHOULD RELAX, BUT THE REALITY IS THAT WE GET SO BUSY IN OUR EVERYDAY LIVES THAT WE DON'T MAKE TIME FOR IT.

RELAXATION IS ONE OF THE KEYS IN SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY AND LIFE.

IF YOU'RE TOO BUSY TO RELAX...YOU'RE TOO BUSY!

SIT WHERE YOU WON'T BE DISTURBED. CLOSE YOUR EYES. TAKE DEEP BREATHS, IN THROUGH THE NOSE AND OUT THROUGH THE NOSE. AND LISTEN TO THIS BEAUTIFUL MUSIC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEulyxBCA6c

ENJOY!

MESSAGE #733 I LOST...

"You either win or you learn."
-author unknown

Well, last night I lost. And I learned.

My doubles partner, Dan, and I had an early exit at this year's Cryan Tennis Tournament.

Should we have won? I think so.

Did we deserve to win? Probably not.

The Cryan tournament is like a mini-US Open - some great players, many of whom play almost daily.

Dan and I hit once before the tournament.

Were we prepared? Not really.

You get what you focus on, and I have been focusing on my business, speaking engagements and book promotion. I would rather help others than feel good with individual tournament results.

I don't need to try and qualify for the US Open this year, but perhaps one of my students will one day, or at least win the US Open in their own lives/careers. But guess what? I will be in the US Open this year - promoting my book and doing a book signing on September 1. I have already gotten great feedback about my book from people all over the world. That, to me is, is worth so much more than if I were in the US Open, or even still in the Cryan.

Am I happy we lost?

Of course not, but I'm over it. But you can be sure that Dan and I will be better prepared for next year.

Our result was in direct proportion to the work we put in prior to the tournament.

But guess what? Dan's business is thriving and I'm happy with how things are going with me. No regrets here.

Are you focusing on the things you want most?


Thanks for reading.

And congrats to Tina Romero - after reading yesterday's blog message, she was able to run eight straight miles when previously, she couldn't even run three!!! You gotta believe!

MESSAGE #732 WHAT THIS BLOG IS ALL ABOUT...

"I think I can, I think I can. I think I can."
-The Little Engine That Could

This blog is not about tennis or sports psychology. This blog is about giving people hope, and the cultivation of optimism. The belief that anything is possible. We are all blessed with the tools to become successful, but oftentimes we get in our own way. We don't believe that we can do things. But the truth is, we can. Let's recall my all-time favorite children's story...

A little railroad engine was employed about a station yard for such work as it was built for, pulling a few cars on and off the switches. One morning it was waiting for the next call when a long train of freight-cars asked a large engine in the roundhouse to take it over the hill "I can't; that is too much a pull for me," said the great engine built for hard work. Then the train asked another engine, and another, only to hear excuses and be refused. In desperation, the train asked the little switch engine to draw it up the grade and down on the other side. "I think I can," puffed the little locomotive, and put itself in front of the great heavy train. As it went on the little engine kept bravely puffing faster and faster, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can."

As it neared the top of the grade, which had so discouraged the larger engines, it went more slowly. However, it still kept saying, "I--think--I--can, I--think--I--can." It reached the top by drawing on bravery and then went on down the grade, congratulating itself by saying, "I thought I could, I thought I could."

-The Little Engine that Could, Mabel C. Bragg

Mabel C. Bragg, a school teacher in Boston, wrote this story in 1930.

Well her her story lives on to this day. Here is an email I received from the great Alma Prelec in Boston.

Dear Ed,
A few weeks ago I received an email from my 9th grade cross-country coach reminding me to keep running throughout the summer so that I will be in shape for this fall. I wasn't very excited to run after lounging around all of June but quickly I was back into the routine of doing about 5k every day. The only problem was, I would ALWAYS stop around halfway for just a bit to catch my breath because I'd think I couldn't keep running. This was really bothering me because I didn't want to have to keep stopping during tryouts.

One day I was reading your blog and I came across the entry about you during one of your first yoga classes. You described how you had to hold your arms out in a position that seemed to go on forever. You noted with frustration how an elderly woman near you seemed to be having a much easier time than you even though you were clearly in better physical shape.

Then you had a revelation! Even though you were in better shape, she was more comfortable with the yoga poses and therefore more confident and had better mental toughness.

So yesterday I went running again. As I ran, I thought about your post. As I neared the mid-point, I thought to myself "I am definitely fit enough to do this. All I need to do is be strong enough mentally."

And then I did it! It was pretty amazing. I didn't even feel tired when I got back home. Thanks!

-ALMA PRELEC, Boston Massachusetts

PS Congrats on getting your book in the US Open!

So that's what I'm talking about.

HOPE.

BELIEF.

OPTIMISM.

How will you say, "I think I can" today?


Thanks for reading.

Come on out tonight @ 7:30pm to the Cryan Tennis Tournament at Mercer County Park, West Windsor, NJ for 1st Round Doubles action - Ed Tseng and Dan Horowitz.

MESSAGE #731 WELCOME TO REALITY...

"When your feet are firmly planted, you are stuck. Welcome change!"
-ANTHONY ROBBINS

Happy Birthday to my brother-in-law, the great Stanley Ho in Austin, Texas.

Welcome to reality. Change is inevitable.

People are changing.

Our opponents are changing.

Weather conditions are changing.

Technology is changing.

But here's the problem...

Nobody likes change. People like homeostasis.

I have a feeling that something in your life today will not go as planned, or you will experience some sort of change.

I challenge you to look at change differently today. Embrace it. Think about how it will make you stronger, smarter, more relaxed.

We often look at situations with our narrow points of view, but once we become more flexible and open-minded, our feet get un-stuck and we begin to change our lives and as a by-product, change the results we are getting.

What change are you going to embrace today?

Leave me your comments.


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #730 WHAT WE ULTIMATELY WANT...

Today's message is especially dedicated to the great Pintu "Bean" Patel in Midland, Michigan. Happy Birthday to my favorite Indian British tennis pro.

Have you ever seen those people who work out at the gym all the time? They lift weights to try and get bigger and bigger? They think that what they really want is to have the best body. To have biceps bigger than my head.

But then they can't bend over to tie their own shoes.

They are too tired at the end of the day to spend with their family.

Now don't get me wrong, strength training is great and has its benefits, but there is something missing...

ENERGY.

What we ultimately want is more energy.

How do we get more energy? Here's how I do it...

1. Drink a lot of water - The slightest drop in water level affects your energy level. I drink reverse osmosis water from Whole Foods.

2. Eat real food - Eat mostly seasonal fruits and vegetables, cut back on red meat and consume whole wheat carbohydrates instead of white bread, white rice and potatoes. EAT AT HOME!

3. Do what you love - If you love your job, it won't be work. If you incorporate things you enjoy into your schedule, you will be happier, and more energized.

4. Help others - The best way to motivate yourself is to motivate others. There are very few things that will give you more energy than the satisfaction that you made a difference in someone else's life, and the world.

5. Have gratitude - When you stop focusing on material objects and all the things you want, and start appreciating all the amazing things you already have, like your health, family and friends, you instantly increase your energy.

Below are a few great quotes on energy.

"The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have."
-NORMAN VINCENT PEALE

"Do you remember the things you were worrying about a year ago? How did they work out? Didn't you waste a lot of fruitless energy on account of most of them? Didn't most of them turn out all right after all?"
-DALE CARNEGIE

"And what is a man without energy? Nothing - nothing at all."
-MARK TWAIN

"If people around you aren't going anywhere, if their dreams are no bigger than hanging out on the corner, or if they're dragging you down, get rid of them. Negative people can sap your energy so fast, and they can take your dreams from you, too."
-EARVIN "MAGIC" JOHNSON


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #729 I LEARNED THE SECRET!!!

"You don't know what you don't know."

-author unknown

Sometimes things happen in your life and it's as if a light bulb suddenly went on in your head. An "Aha" moment. An enlightenment, if you will.

Well, I had one of these recently in yoga.

The first class that I took was difficult. I had to stop during some of the poses because I couldn't hold them any longer.

But there were two factors involved. The first one was that I was using different muscles and wasn't conditioned to do some of the moves.

It's not that I couldn't do them, but that I couldn't do them...yet.

But the biggest lesson I learned was that I didn't have the right strategy. When the poses started to get tough, my focus was on the fact that I couldn't hold it any longer. That is the wrong mindset.

My yoga practice and life changed when my instructor, the great Vanessa Kudrat said, "When it gets tough, breathe deeper. Focus on another body part - anything except the fact that it is difficult."

It works!!!

I was doing an inversion (shoulder stand) the other night and it started getting difficult, but I took deeper breaths. I focused on my feet. I held it for over a minute longer when I thought I couldn't go a second longer.

Most people get tighter or more intense when things get difficult.

The key is getting more relaxed. Breathing deeper. Focusing on something else.

I have already used this strategy in other areas of life. In fact, with this new technique, I don't think there's anything I can't do.

When you push yourself through difficulty, you enter a whole new world and you accomplish things you never thought you could.

Isn't it funny that the fitness club that I take yoga at is called, CanDo?

There's a reason.

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #728 GAME. SET. LIFE. - THE AUDIO VERSION

"The secret of success of every man who has ever been successful lies in the fact that he formed the habit of doing those things failures don't like to do."

-A. JACKSON KING

Well, last night I began recording the audio version of my book, "Game. Set. Life." at the great Scott Strunk's studio. I have done some recordings in the past. I have also conducted teleseminars, an internet radio show and recorded youtube.com videos, so an audio CD should be a piece of cake, right?

WRONG!

The first lesson (chapter) was tough. It was a short chapter but it seemed so long. I needed a break. We then listened to it and made some edits. It was going to be a long road ahead. Should I stop? Is it worth it?

I continued. During the next few chapters, I messed up a lot, but I laughed it off. I had to improvise a bit and felt a lot of pressure. I was also starving.

But I pushed through. I stayed focused and acted confidently, even though I didn't feel that way.

If you feel the pressure and push through anyway, you become on a whole new level. A level where the winners hang out. The losers feel the pressure and stop. That's where it begins for the champions.

I became comfortable being uncomfortable. I did what I needed to do, even though I didn't feel like it.

You can too in whatever you do.

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #727 PEAK PERFORMANCE TIP...

When people see a great tennis player, they usually think, "Wow, they really have a gift."

I don't think that way.

In my teaching career, I have seen many people give up too quickly. The truth is that anyone can become a great tennis player.

You see, it's not about being gifted - we're all gifted. It's about the persistence. It's about the hard work.

If you know what you want to accomplish, don't try your best.

DO WHATEVER IT TAKES.

Enjoy this quote from J.R. Miller

"It is not enough to begin;
continuance is necessary.
Mere enrollment will not make one a scholar;
the pupil must continue in the school
through the long course,
until he masters every branch.
Success depends upon staying power.
The reason for failure in most cases
is lack of perseverance."

So the next time you feel like giving up...

The next time you don't think you can continue on...

Keep going anyway. Stay strong. You can do it.

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #726 THE MEANING OF LIFE...

"Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared."
-THE BUDDHA

Someone once said that the purpose of life is to discover your gifts and the meaning of life is to give those gifts away.

What are your gifts? What do you love to do most? What are you good at?

Are you keeping those gifts to yourself, or are you sharing it with others? Can you teach it?

Every morning I am excited to start my day because I am doing what I love. One of my gifts is teaching tennis and I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to share it with others on a daily basis. I feel that my message is too important to keep in Princeton, NJ and tennis. That is why I wrote my book and now work with not only athletes in all sports, but people from all walks of life. My book, "Game. Set. Life." is not about tennis - it's about life. And beginning this Fall, the Tseng Performance Academy will be at the brand new Monroe Sports Center with tennis, fitness/nutrition and mental training programs. It will also feature workshops for coaches and athletes from all over the world on how to achieve peak performance.

We all have gifts. Many gifts. In fact, everything we do is a potential gift. Whatever we do, we should do it well. Whomever we come in contact with, we should put a smile on their face.

If you're an athlete, leave it all on the field. Do a little bit extra. Compliment your teammates. Teach others. Thank your instructors and coaches. Thank your parents for their support, even if it seems like they are pushing you too much.

It's because they care.

And you should care.

I know what you're thinking, "It's not cool to try."

But do you want to be cool, or do you want to be great?

I challenge you to light as many candles as you can today. Make it your best day yet. Do something...and make it amazing.

I think you will like the results.

With much gratitude,
Ed

MESSAGE #725 THAT WAS HILARIOUS!!!

"Laughter is an instant vacation."
-author unknown

Today's message is especially dedicated to the great Heather Allsup in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Yesterday, I took a yoga class with yoga master, Karuna. It was fantastic; I should have known with a singular name like Karuna. She's like Prince or Madonna. I am really getting into this yoga thing. Today was my fifth class in the past week.

It's tough to pinpoint one reason why I'm so addicted to yoga. It definitely helps me stay in the present, by forcing me to focus on my breathing. I also feel more flexible and mindful of my body and my surroundings. Yoga also helps me stay relaxed when the pressure's on, because holding some of the poses can be challenging, but that usually comes from the mind. It is supposed to be challenging so that other things in your life become easier.

I really enjoyed yesterday's class because at the end, we performed a laughing meditation. Karuna told us a joke and then we all started laughing. At first, we were faking our laughter, but then we all started really laughing because everybody else was laughing. It was hilarious.

I will now share that joke with you and then I want you to perform a laughing meditation (if you are alone). If you are at work or in a public place, laugh to yourself or just smile. Do this for about one minute and see how you feel. Laughter relieves stress when the pressure's on. Try it next time you're about to do something that makes you nervous.

Joke: Why don't Buddhists vacuum in the corners?

Answer: Because they don't have any attachments!

Aahahahahahahahahahhahaahahahahahhahahahaaha!!!!!!!!!!

Hahahahahahahhahahaahahahahahahahahahhaahhaha!!!!!!!!

Aaaaaaahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!

Now go and enjoy your day.


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #724 DO'S AND DON'T'S

Today's message is especially dedicated to the great Kimberly Smith in Brooklyn. Happy Birthday to you.

DO - Go all out

DON'T - Hold back

DO - Stay loose

DON'T - Put too much pressure yourself

DO - Act energized (especially if you are tired)

DON'T - Act how you feel (unless you are energetic)

DO - Have gratitude for your sport, job, life

DON'T - Be materialistic and take things for granted

DO - Take action

DON'T - Procrastinate

DO - Something amazing

DON'T - Stay in your comfort zone



Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #723 GET DISTURBED!!!

Nothing changes until you do one thing...

"Get disturbed enough that you feel compelled to change. Get disturbed enough that you say 'no more;' you will not take it anymore. Expose yourself to the pain and confront it until you are compelled to make the necessary changes."
-ANTHONY ROBBINS

Do you want to become a better tennis player?

Get disturbed enough about losing all of your matches that you put everything into your practice sessions.

Do you want to succeed financially?

Get disturbed enough about your credit card debt and start saving.

Do you want to start eating healthier?

Eat a couple of meals at home naked.

Last night I got disturbed.

I saw the movie Food, Inc. You need to see this movie. It talks about the food we eat and how it has become a business. A business that we haven't been able to do much about. It talks about how there are only a few major players controlling what we eat. We're not eating normal food anymore. What we're eating is a result of the big companies wanting to make more money by producing faster, bigger and cheaper products. Processed food. Genetically altered food. Below are some notes that I took from the movie...

1. Chickens now take a third less time to "grow" and they are so big that they fall over because their bones cannot support their body weight. Oh, and they never see sunlight and walk around in their own poop.

2. In nature, cows eat grass. Today, cows eat corn. It's cheaper and makes them fatter which produces more meat. This corn makes cows produce e coli in their stomachs. Then the cows stand ankle deep in their bacteria infested waste. When they produce hamburgers, they are tainted with e coli, but don't worry, they add a beef filler that contains ammonia, which kills the bacteria. Then they package it and ship it to stores. Each burger we eat contains meat from thousands of different cows.

3. Corn is in everything because it is cheap to produce. We have high fructose corn syrup (one of the top ingredients to avoid), and there is corn in 90% of the items on the grocery store shelves. Corn is even in charcoal and batteries. Corn is sugar and it spikes our insulin levels. This could lead to Type II diabetes. Did I say could? I meant probably will. One in three children born after the year 2000 will have Type II diabetes.

4. It costs less to eat at McDonald's than it does to eat real food. Low income families have to choose the dollar menu over fresh fruit and vegetables because...it only costs a dollar.Is this right? Is this what we have come to?

We are what we eat.

It can help us or it can hurt us. It's our choice. The more we eat organic, the more organic food will be available. The more we eat fast food, the more the big players will make the farmers continue to produce mass processed food.

I know in my own experience that when I eat healthy, I feel better, I move faster, and my mind is more clear. And I know that I'm preventing future illnesses.

I have made a decision to take care of my body and not let the food producers dictate what I eat. If it didn't exist 100 years ago, we probably shouldn't be eating it.

Choose organic food.
Read labels.
Educate yourself.
Eat more fruits and vegetables.
Exercise.
Meditate.
Be nice to all living things.
SUCCEED.


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #722 FOOLS...

"Have success and there will always be fools to say that you have talent."
-EDOUARD PAILLERON

WORK HARD.

MESSAGE #721 YOU NEVER KNOW...

"There could be some boy in the stands watching me play for the first time - I owe it to him to give it my best."
-JOE DiMAGGIO, after a meaningless game at the end of the season

Today's message is especially dedicated to the great Stephanie O'Brien-Noonan.

You never know.

A true champion is someone drenched in sweat...when no-one is watching.

I don't know who is reading my blog messages every day, but sometimes I find out.

Stephanie O'Brien-Noonan lives in San Diego. I went to high school with her and haven't seen her since about 1993. Stephanie just sent me a message saying that she loves my daily messages.

I had no idea she was reading them.

So you never know who is watching you at work.

You never know who is watching you on the tennis court.

You never know who is watching you in school.

But guess what?

It doesn't matter.

Focus on doing the right things. Be the best person that you can be. Help others.

At the end of your day, I challenge you to be able to say, "I gave it my all today," and not have any regrets. Then do it the next day.

Those days will turn into weeks. Those weeks into months and those months into years. Then, at the end of your life, you will have left a legacy.

Be the best you can be...for you. And the world.

Abraham Lincoln said, "Whatever you are, be a good one."


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #720 THREE YOGA CLASSES IN 24 HRS?!%

Yes, I took three different yoga classes with three different instructors within 24 hours. I already feel that I am reaping the benefits.

My posture is better. My mental clarity is better. My breathing is better. My nutrition is better. And my focus/mental toughness is better.

I can even see some subtle changes in my body. This stuff is life changing.

I spoke with Vanessa Kudrat after my class last night and she shared some of her best tips for peak performance in sports and life. As promised, here they are...

1. Make sure you drink enough water. Approximately 70% of your body is made of water and the slightest bit of dehydration will decrease your energy level.

2. If you use salt, use "good salt" like Himalayan Pink Salt.

3. Try a drop of peppermint oil on your tongue if you are stressed; smell some grapefruit oil if you are low energy.

4. Cross-train; it will help you use different muscles and think differently.

5. Try this healthy beverage: 1/3 to 1/2 fresh citrus juice and the rest water. Add a pinch of "good salt" and agave or honey. In the winter you can throw in some cayenne.

I just made a bottle of this Kudrat concoction to bring to the courts...I'll let you know what I think.

Thank you to Vanessa and thanks for reading.



For more information: http://www.bodymindgifts.com/

MESSAGE #719 THAT WAS HARD...AND I LOVED IT!!

"Focus on your breath or other body parts...anything but the fact that you can't do it any longer."
-VANESSA KUDRAT

So I took my first yoga class last night with the great Vanessa Kudrat. It was hard, but it was great.

It was difficult for me to hold some of the poses, but I stuck with the class and am proud of myself.

One of the poses had us holding our arms out for what it seemed like an hour. I had to stop a couple times. I was focused, but I was focusing on the wrong things. Instead of focusing on the fact that you cannot hold your arms up any longer, you should focus instead on your breath or other body parts. I already knew that your mind gets tired before your body, but I didn't execute.

I had so many thoughts going on in my head like...

"Why can't I do this?"

"Why is that 60 year old lady holding it longer than me?!"

and

"Why am I thinking so much?"

I wanted to quit.

So you know what I'm going to do?

I'm going to take a hatha yoga class this morning at 7am to practice my mental toughness.

I don't believe in trying your best.

I believe in doing whatever it takes.

Here I go...

Stay tuned for Vanessa Kudrat's amazing peak performance tips...


Thanks for reading.

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!

MESSAGE #708 DON'T DO IT!!!

Well, it's the 4th of July here in the grand old US of A. What does that mean? Barbecues, the beach, parades, concerts and fireworks. The Declaration of Independence for the United States.

Most people are going to have hot dogs, hamburgers, beer, and soda.

These things are not the healthiest for you, are they?

Do we even know what is in hot dogs?

I think they're made of pork.

Contrary to popular belief, hot dogs are not made from pig snouts and leftover meat. But they can't be good for you.

This is from an AP article...


ST. LOUIS (AP) — A new billboard debuting in St. Louis asks for "dietary disaster" warning labels to be put on hot dogs served at Busch Stadium and other Major League Baseball stadiums.A nonprofit advocacy group called The Cancer Project is sponsoring the billboard that debuts Wednesday off Interstate 70 in St. Louis County, just in time for this month's All-Star Game. The billboard features an image of hot dogs jammed into a cigarette pack labeled "Unlucky Strikes."The billboard and a letter from a Cancer Project dietitian to Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig claim a link between processed meats and the risk of colorectal cancer.The National Pork Board on Wednesday refuted the claim, calling it an attempt to scare consumers when it says the fundamental causes of many cancers are alcohol, smoking, obesity and lack of physical activity.


I'm not saying I never eat hot dogs. It's obviously your choice.

What I am saying is that you should think before you do things.

Everything is a choice. Don't just do things because everybody else does.

You get out what you put in to your body. The fastest car goes nowhere without fuel.

And nothing tastes as good as fit feels.


Thanks for reading and have a happy and healthy 4th.

MESSAGE #707

"Practice as if you are the worst, perform as if you are the best."

Go all out when training.

Be confident when competing.

That's it.

MESSAGE #706 ARE YOU A NEGATIVE NANCY OR A POSITIVE PATTY?

"It is better to light the candle than to curse the darkness."
-ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

In my article, "Top 5 Mental Mistakes Tennis Players Make," the number one mistake was "They Are Negative."

Most people would rather curse the darkness than light the candle.

"What's wrong with you?!" or "I'm playing terrible today!" are common thoughts.

What kind of results do these players usually get?

Unfavorable ones.

Now say the following to yourself...

"Okay, the ball went into the net - I'll just aim higher. I've still got this."

"I am playing the number one player in the state! What a great experience!"

You can take any situation and turn it into a positive. It is not the situation you are handed, but your attitude towards it that matters.

If you were to count how many negative comments, sounds and gestures you made in a single day, you would be amazed. The next time you feel the urge to complain or be annoyed, ask yourself, "How can I turn this into a positive?" instead.

When you decide to light the candle instead of cursing the darkness, your world changes.

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #705 A LESSON FROM MICHAEL JORDAN...

"We didn't approach it as 'Let's be 13-1 in December.' We approached it as 'Let's get this game...Let's get this game...Let's get this game.' The next thing you know, we were 13-1."
-MICHAEL JORDAN

Do you have a big project or big goal?

Do you sometimes feel that you cannot see the finish line?

You need to approach life in the same way that you eat an elephant...one bite at a time.

Michael Jordan takes one game at a time.

Break up your projects into smaller, more manageable tasks.

Create a schedule for practices and match play to reach your tennis goals.

Do a little bit every day.

I am currently working on creating new habits for my business and personal life. I have been getting up at 6:05AM every morning to take care of things. I have basically added two hours to every day. Do I really feel like getting up at 6AM every day? No, but once I "just do it" I'm glad I did. Those little things add up.

Take one day at a time.

You are like a wire - at first your actions create a thin wire, but as you do the right things, day after day, and develop good habits, that wire wraps around and gets stronger and stronger. And before you know it it's a thick cable! And nothing can stop it.

Homework: Make the most of today, then repeat tomorrow...and the next day....and the next day....

Thanks for reading.