Journal 19, Week 7

What is the best advice you ever received? Ever gave?

My dad emphasized to me during the summer before my sophomore year that sometimes life isn't fair, sometimes people make decisions around you that you disagree with, sometimes the person making that decision is your boss. I had just quit a lawnmowing/landscaping job because I didn't like how my boss planned out our projects. It's a long story that I cannot remember all the details of, but I do remember that I was making pretty good money & I should have kept my mouth shut and continued making money that summer.

The advice from my father is something that I continue to tell myself to this day. Currently, I do not agree with much of the politics in the US. I realize that I won't agree with the Obama administration on many topics simply because I was raised with different values than they are imposing. At the same time, I respect the fact that the federal government is at least trying to enact policy with the intention of helping the country.

I think the best advice I ever gave to someone was this quote that I now have on my email signature when I send things out to my tennis players:

"A player can't say they have the will to win. A will to win is something that teammates must see in each other's eyes and believe in their hearts."

This is something that came to me after seeing Brett Favre's locker room meeting with reporters after his first game against Green Bay this year on Monday night football. His teammates, when interviewed, all spoke about how they just saw in Brett's eyes that he was focused and determined. I said this quote to my wife & immediately wrote it down.

I honestly cannot say that I have seen the results of this yet. I certainly have seen times with my tennis players when they have the look in their eyes and when they don't. It is very hard for them to overcome their opponent when this look is missing and impossible when their opponent is of equal or greater talent level. Having that mental focus is what takes an average player and turns them into a good player in my opinion.