The danger with such a public selection statement is this can put doubt into a players head, rather than have coaching staff that believe in them. You could argue players need to perform under pressure, which they do, yet self belief is created by the inner and outer belief of both the individual and also the key people around that player. Hence this is very different to a coach stating we selected you because we know you are the best, then putting them into playing in a pressure situation, which is more typical of All Black matches.

Every individual has different levels of belief. Let’s use 2 examples. The core example is Colin Slade, after limited play due to 2 broken check bones in the same season, he was told to play for his place in the August 21 South African test match. Having shown supreme quality touches in his previous All Black play, on that day he floundered, he lacked the self belief it seemed to have his full confidence. If he had been told that the selectors believe in him and that is why they selected him in the current squad, would he have played better? Would he have maintained the form of a world class five eights shown previously?

The other example is Israel Dagg who performed like a man who knew with unerring certainty he was a potential All Black great in the making. He proved he has the deep seated self belief to handle any challenge.

The core point is that expectations help create performance. Hence we often will not be able to perform better then our expectations, which are a collection of our own unconscious conditioning, which is influenced by those around us. For example our parents, partner, brother, work mates or associates have expectations of our possible performance levels, hence ability, which help to influence our self belief and set our performance limits. This is an example of the importance of associating with people who are positive and motivate you, rather then drag you down.
What can you do today to improve your collective expectations hence self belief?

The STAND OUT theme came from the National Speakers Association Conference I attended in Melbourne last month.  At this conference I meet an awesome guy Geoff McDonald, who introduced me to his concept of a Manifesto.

A Manifesto can be like a personal statement of you and life that you make public.  Not everybody will agree with it hence it is designed that it may well antagonise some people.  I use the mypersonalfoundation template to store my Manifesto, intentions and plan for life, but today it is time for me to declare my Manifesto and STAND OUT:

My Manifesto

The first is The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra. When I read this book  in 1996 I was so taken by it I read it again this time writting a summary of the content.  Then buying it on tape, yes still have a tape player actually and on CD now of course.

The other major influence is The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. Such a powerful inspiration in my joinery moving from the head to heart over the years to live in the moment.

Stop breath and feel is today’s thought. The breath integrates the body and soul. You can not be stuck in the mind when fully breathing. Unlock unleash and live in the moment which is such a present. Enjoy this present.

What an impressive first set by local tennis player Michael Venus yesterday against Tommy Robredo in the Heineken Open.  This event is New Zealand’s annual ATP tour event attracting some of the world’s top tennis players.

Michael Venus played much of the first set looking like he could be a top 10 world ranked player. He certainly has the technical ability to achieve that if he can muster the self belief, the critical part of the top two inches.  The reality is that it is our deep seated unconscious beliefs that restricts or creates our performance.  In his case he did not really believe he could win.  This was illustrated by the way he jumped in the air wildly celebrating after winning the first set. At that point his match was over.  He had achieved his goal.  It was then very difficult to get back ‘in the zone’ as shown by the result.  If he really believed he could win, he would not have been so exciting by winning just one set.  He would have been happy sure but knowing he still had much more to do.

Rubin Statham was similar yesterday, he won one set against a good opponent but the reality is while he had the desire, drive and hope at a conscious level, it is our unconscious stuff that creates our performance.  Hence he lost in 3 sets.

Sasha Jones is another example of a great NZ talent; she has the game to be a top 50 player.  Like Michael Venus she has the ability to be one of NZ’s greatest players but the real question is does she have the top two inches.  I will reserve my opinion as I do not know how much focus and commitment both have on doing off court work on developing the top two inches.  Can they both make it to the top? Of course they can but will they do it?  Well only time and those two inches will tell.

The other annoying misconception the commentators have on the way Micheal Venus lost is that he needed more experience to be competitive at this level.  That of course is partly true, it helps of course but it is also not the experience that he needed in-order to win, he needed the self belief he could really do it!  This can certianly come from experience but only if this experience is positive experience.   The key point is you do not need the experience to gain the self belief. You can develop the belief with off court mental skills training.

An example of having the belief without the experience is Marus Daniel at this same event last year.  The key is belief and expecting deep down at the subconscious and unconscious levels you can win.  Another example of  strong self belief was Martina Hingis when she won her first grand slam at aged 15.  She had the belief she could do it and expected nothing other that success.

Top tennis players practice sometimes 6 hours a day and how much of that time is specific to building the top two inches?  Well you probably know the answer to that. Most players very little which seems crazy when you could estimate that 80% of their performance is determined by the top two inches.

The state of NZ tennis is not the lack of talent and ability it is the lack of true self belief.  You can only ever perform as well as you truly belief at a deep unconscious level.  So NZ tennis need to focus on the inner confidence and self belief to build the next generation of champions.

Some people start their sports career with that belief, Hingis, Riche McCaw and Dan Carter for  example, others like Rat Rafter develope this belief as they mature. Rafter never was a top ranked junior in Australia yet matured to be one of the best. It can be done but not by focusing on technique only. The balance is different for all players but the principle is universal.  If you don’t fully believe you can do it, you will not, under pressure you will tighten up and fail.

Make a commitment today to creating your goals and get ‘in the zone.’

Unless you are making change happen in your favour you can be a victim of change and drift along in life.  By setting goals that feel good, you proactively plan towards the things that make you feel good. This way you are creating the change YOU desire.

In the following video Josh Kronfeld a great NZ All Black explains the importance of learning and growth, how the need  to challenge yourself is so important.

What can you do today to change and challenge yourself and grow?

Learn something new today to expand your comfort zone!

Training for the Auckland half marathon last month, yes not much fun at the best of times, was highened by developing a tight lower back.  Thinking it could be old age, OK you are only as old as you feel which is now 21 again, or maybe general lack of serious training was at fault, I got a nice supprise.

In walks Ian McKellar from Massage Bodywork.  He works with a number of the worlds top Iron Men.  He suggested that before he would provide a massage he required proper hydration. Otherwise the toxins in the muscles would not be released.

By the time I arrived for my massage 4 days later, my lower back tightness had gone.  It was good hydration that made a world of difference.  I was drinking heaps of water but maybe not getting enough electrolytes. I now use what is called ‘elete electrolyte’ liquid from www.biotrace.co.nz and Electrolyte Stamina Tablets from www.mineralresourcesint.com.  Both do a similar thing taken in differnt form.

Signed a new 21 year old.

Craig

p.s. What can you do differently today?  If you do the same as you have always done, you will get the same as you always got, and go backwards.  Everything in the world is changing fast, especially the information overload, hence we all need to change so we do not stagnate.

My second year as Manager of the Mission Bay Tennis Club Caro Bowl team has been loads of fun.  The added bonus this year is that my web company myemedia is naming rights sponsor. Caro Bowl Tennis is NZ’s top tennis league which often attracts overseas players to NZ for this 8 week competition.

I have been delighted the way the myemedia Caro Bowl team have formed a special team chemistry again this year, such a delight to lead this group of awesome talented female players.  The biggest satisfaction is the culture.  We talk about how we can not always control the result, we can only control the way we perform on court.  So if we give it all and try our best then I am content.  Of course we aim to win but that is the outcome of the first part, not the sole focus.

Last year our key message was ‘believe anything is possible’ which was such a delight to end the season  hearing how this affected some of our junior tennis hearts and minds.

So take a moment now to ask yourself what you value in life.  Do you live the values and priorities that are important  in your life?  Do you value family yet work such long hours you do not see them?

Life is the collection of many moments.  Live each moment like is could be your last.  Enjoy the journey of ups and down.  You are the one in control, you can control how you play the game of life, not always the results!  Play to win but enjoy the ride and the journey as it unfolds.

His back ground from the site http://www.rattleyadags.co.nz/ explains that he amassed 645 points from 46 All Black Test Matches, and pioneered the modern art of goal kicking. He was part of the 1987 Rugby World Cup winning team before eventually retiring from test rugby in 1993. Fox is now a commentator on SKY Sports.

To achieve peak sports performance to be ‘in the zone’ it’s our emotions that underlie all performance.  Our emotions are the link to our deep unconscious programing.  The 4 Zone Model explains this and how you can more consistently get ‘in the zone’ by integrating the 3 core zones.  See www.4zonemodel.com for more details.

The 4 Zone Model can apply to any aspect of life.  Often we may have a conflict with what society expects and what our mind is saying, yet if we follow our heart then this is when true happiness and magic can occur.  Living in the flow living in-tune is about being emotionaly authentic and aware.  Living in the moment aware of our emotions to be ‘in the zone!’

See the following video on decisions in life. Enjoy