Mental toughness isn’t something we do … it’s what we think, how we live, and choose to never settle for less. It’s not something we do on the playing field, it’s the committed decisions we make outside the athletic arena.

If we commit to the awareness of our self-talk, fear levels, and thinking every minute of the day, we’ll automatically bring this mindset to our sport. Mental toughness isn’t about being “tough” during competition, as most believe. It’s about knowing you WILL succeed, no matter the situation or statistic that explains how difficult it is. If you know there’s nothing that can stop you, you’ll forever be present and excited during those defining moments.

Mental toughness is about uncovering and realizing. You’re already good enough, mentally … you may just need help clearing the fog that isn’t allowing you to see that truth. Instead of becoming mentally tough, focus on living it!

There’s nothing better for me than talking with someone who’s totally committed and passionate about his future. The only thing that can top that is when the same player tells me that no one thinks he can do it, and it only motivates him more.

THIS is the 1% Mindset!

Today, I was fortunate enough to meet another one of those players. I can’t tell you how lucky and blessed I am to be able to learn from all of my students. Each one brings a unique quality and sense of himself / herself to the table. Being a coach means some teaching … but also means a ton of learning and looking for ways to push each other past our comfort zones.

After talking today with a player who’s struggled in the past with confidence and coaches telling him he’d never amount to anything, I hung up the phone knowing he was going to make it! Instead of quitting, as 99% of players would have, he chose to use his naysayers’ criticism as fuel. He made a committed decision to seek out a top swing coach, accumulate the correct information, and figure out how to be the best.

He repeated more than once that he wanted me to push him past his comfort zone — he enjoyed feeling uncomfortable. This fact, alone, is enough reason to believe in is future. Anyone who is comfortable with being uncomfortable will succeed at the elite level. All we have along the way are moments of uncomfortable, sprinkled with comfort here and there.

Will you wake up earlier than your opposition, knowing that while they only dream of success, you’re out there sweating for it? Will you push muscles and belief systems past the point of exhaustion, knowing that fatigue is an illusion, created by the 99%?

Look at yourself and ask the tough questions … what are your answers?

I just finished a great conversation with a student, who in college, had a record breaking emotional blowup. The day after being named a Junior College Tennis All American, he decided not to be focused in his next match. He had already qualified for State Championships and would be moving on to the next stage of tournaments, so in his mind, didn’t need to mentally show up for this match.

As this particular match moved forward, it was obvious he wasn’t focused on his routines and mental goals. Instead, he was paying more attention to his opponent on the other side of the net, who throughout the year, was a major rival. They didn’t like each other much. As a matter of fact, this opponent would purposely cheat when matches got close. This day was no different, except for how my student would handle and react to the cheating.

Approximately 45 minutes into the match, the cheating began. Not caring so much about the outcome of the match, my guy started threatening the cheater, promising he wouldn’t get away with it this time. The two jawed back and forth, so much so, that a referee was placed on the court. Unfortunately, this ref had no idea what was about to transpire. This match wasn’t going to end in a hand shake and the customary  “nice match” at the net.

Again, my student came into this match totally unfocused and concentrated on next week’s State Tournament, so he was playing awful. Topped with the normal cheating from his opponent, the perfect storm was brewing. Before any coaches or players on other courts could see what happened, my man hit a perfect volley that was again called out, but this time wasn’t going to take it. He instantly jumped the net with his racquet in hand, ready to crack the cheater with it. His doubles partner somehow jumped the net and tackled him before any blood could be shed. In a split second, coaches and players from the two teams were running to the court.

My student was subdued, but not before being ejected from the match, and kicked off the premises. Before leaving, he proceeded to break four racquets and his plastic water bottle, shattering them into pieces, saving one racquet for later. And when I say, “leaving,” I don’t mean calmly walking away… no, no… this wasn’t his style at 19 years old. He took that one remaining racquet and sprinted far away from the tennis courts. He ran across the street, through a field, over a fence, across another street, finding himself at the base of a huge tree at a deserted park.

As he knelt beside the tree, barely being able to breathe from the mile sprint he just took, he noticed he was still clutching his last tennis racquet in his right hand. He looked at the racquet, then back at the tree, then again at the racquet. “Bye bye racquet,” he promised. What seemed like 15 minutes, he smashed that graphite enemy into the thick bark until there was only a leather grip left, dangling from his fingers.

Finally, he could rest.

I have a conversation with this student in the mirror every morning and night. I look at his reflection and congratulate him for making an amazing transformation. Before he sits down to a mental session and teaches anyone anything, he must first look at himself, be honest, and admit he will always be the student.

Yes … I DO know what you’re going through!

Keep it simple, Sally!

The best teachers, coaches, and mentors I’ve ever had were masters at taking complex situations and breaking them down to their simplest forms. Too often, we talk to much, analyze to deeply, and think more than is needed.

In a tennis match, hit the ball over the net and in more than your opponent. Do this, you win. In basketball, take it away from opponents as much as possible, set a screen to free a teammate, put ball in basket. When trying to lose weight, eat healthy and exercise often. On the golf course, focus deeply on target, hit ball to target as best as you can, repeat.

Sports were made to be played! Knowledge, alone, isn’t the key to our improvement. Knowing what to do, and figuring out the best ways to apply that knowledge is the key that will unlock performance. In my years of experience as a player and now a coach, I’ve learned one simple truth: The simpler we make it, the better we’ll play.

Visualize it happening … accepts all results … go! Repeat over and over.