Inspiration for the thousands

I admit, I am a Pintrest addict. For those of you who have not yet been there, please avoid going into the wormhole that Pintrest is, as it will deprive you of all the time that you can, you know, actually be doing something. But, I’ve decided, that Pintrest for this blog in particular can actually help. I always pin things to my favorites that have to do with motivational quotes and inspiring saying. Because it’s a few days before finals week, a few days before the local Tallahassee tennis tournament where a lot of our Seminole High Performance kiddos will be competing, and because everyone has those days that need a little happiness and uplifting, here are some of my favorite quotes, with some of my thoughts alongside them, because, you know, I am an English teacher after all, and words are my thing.

Okay, so this one is a little girly to start off with, but I like it. I think this is one of the things that I try, not as eloquently, to tell students and players when they are struggling. I hear "can't" too often. If you think you can't, you won't. Dreams are dreams, but it takes a strong willed person to, instead of sitting back, pick themselves up and work towards those plans. You'll see this idea of working instead of dreaming throughout these quotes that I share-- belief is not enough. Work ethic and discipline are what make up an excelling player. 

Can't is one of the most poisonous words in tennis. It defeats you from the inside; it makes things simpler, but it also destroys what you can be. 

 So, for this next one, it's fairly straightforward. A lot of these quotes have to do with the idea that sitting on your rump complaining isn't going to get you anywhere. Sometimes I hear the typical whining about having to do fitness or having to fix an ongoing tennis problem or receiving a comment about lack of effort or attitude and I get frustrated as a coach. Partially because I think back to the moment when my mom and dad, my coaches back in the day, told me "You'll know how tough coaching you is once you have your own kids, or you coach yourself," and I nod and say to myself yes, now I know why my whining and complaining didn't do me any good. Partially because I realized that while our players can complain and moan about their problems, they don't fix them. What can I do to help fix your problem, I say. Instead of throwing a pity party, get back up and focus on something that you can control, not something that is out of your control. If you aren't playing well, play more. If you aren't winning, do more fitness, strength, practice, lessons, analysis. Tennis is a full time job for a competitive athlete, not a hobby.

    So other than the fact that Dr. Suess is awesome, this short poem addresses yet another aspect of control. You will have troubles. That's part of life. Some of these are going to be on going issues. Some of these things are going to be things that have nothing to do with tennis but affect tennis. Whatever the issues, arm yourself with that bat. Arm yourself with something that you can do to battle those problems that are individual to you. Look at that. Now even I am rhyming. :)

Like with the focus on the solution quote, the Nike quote about procrastination works in many realms, not just the court. Focus on what you can do this instant. It's great to get geared up with a SHP coach and get excited with plans and dreams and goals and hopes, but do the work that you can do today, everyday. You live in the present. Stop living in the future and work your butt of today.

I had a student once tell me-- I am not Federer. I smiled. I know that you're not Federer. You are you. And I know YOU can hit that shot. That little bit of belief made this player a much better, confident player for the rest of the day. In today's world, it's hard to avoid comparisons. There is not reason for you not to pick a role model, but focus on what you can do individually rather than emulating a person to the extent to where you lose yourself, your individualism. Be yourself-- this also means be comfortable with your game as you play it. Don't force yourself to be a hitter, for example, if you know your game is grinding. Now, this does have a little exception-- this doesn't mean that you don't work on improving your game and becoming more well rounded. BUT, it does mean that you stay true to yourself as a player, and expect yourself to perform the way you see in your dreams.

   This next quote is mostly for players that have been through struggle. That means, pretty much everyone. I have not yet met any player that has been at a point where they are giving up on tennis, and worse, on themselves. What defines us is how well we rise after falling. It is one thing to fall, metaphorically speaking, and whine like a baby about how bad it hurt to fall, but it is another thing entirely to push yourself up onto your elbows, take a deep breath, and push yourself back up. It takes a strong person and a strong support system to be able to do this. That is why I believe that tennis is a game of life, something that my parents always told me. Just like on the court when you are losing or playing badly and you have to push through that and practice even harder, get even fitter, do everything in your power to "get back up," you need to do the same when life hands you cards that aren't in your favor. 

Now, in order to be able to get back up, it'll take some helping hands from your support system to do so. This is where this next quote comes in. Sometimes it is very hard to admit that you need help. I, for one, definitely know that, being the stubborn Capricorn perfectionist that I am. But there is not need to brave the storm by yourself. You are surrounded at Seminole HP by coaches that have played the game and intimately know what it is like to be helpless. Let us help you. Even if this means bawling your eyes out and pouring your soul out about how badly you are playing, let us help you. Yes, after you speak the truth, you'll most likely hear "What is the solution," but what you will gain is a helping hand and the reassurance that you are not alone in this fight. 

Now this next one is different. It has nothing to do with fight or battles or truth. It has everything to do with humility. As much as you can fail, you can also succeed, and something that I think is very important is HOW you succeed. There is a reason why so many people admire Federer and Nadal. You see them battling out on the court, but never once will they say "Oh, I whooped that guy's butt." They will always compliment the opponent, always show confidence but never arrogance. Being a successful player means being courteous and helping others out, because success always is pinned between failures, and if you aren't nice to people when you succeed, they aren't going to be nice back when you fail. It is important to stay humble and to continue working hard even with success. It is important to continue to listen and take advice from people who led you to that success as well.    

Going back to the aspect of control, this quote not only represents wrong versus right paths, but it also represents instinct. Follow your instincts in tennis, but always make sure that you are putting in 100% into whatever you choose to follow. If you want to achieve a goal, set yourself that pathway to achieving that goal, and day by day, reach for it with hard work.  

Finally, take some time to appreciate how far you have come with your accomplishments, whether it be in tennis or in general. We get so caught up something in everything that we don't stop to think about how much we have done already-- full steam ahead is great, but also take the time to assess, to reflect. Wow, I've accomplished so much in this past year. I have become a smarter player, I am more aware of my mindset, even if I am struggling, or even if I am winning everything, I've had to get over some major battles that I've fought successfully. Sometimes it takes just a moment, eyes closed, to smile again, and to remember, very simply, that you are amazing, that you are a good person, and that you are a talented player. If you need reminding from time to time, here it is-- I'm proud of you and your accomplishments, players.