- Mental Focus Recommended Reading List
Here’s my suggested reading for performance focus: Also Sprach Arnold Jacobs – Bruce Nelson Fight Your Fear and Win – Don Greene Comfortable with Uncertainty – Pema Chodron Creative Visualization – Shakti Gawain Building Mental Muscle – David Gamon You can if you think you can – Norman Vincent Peale Mind over golf – Richard Coop Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book – Harvey Penick The Art of Practicing – Madeline Bruser Mental Toughness Training for Sports- James Loehr A Soprano on her Head – Eloise Ristad Mastery – George Leonard Zen in the art of Archery – Eugen Herrigel Feel…
- Mental Focus
My definition of focus: the act of being mindful and present (“being in the moment”). Be open to a lifetime of studying focus (mindfulness). This is truly an opportunity to learn and grow as a person, musician and performer. The ability to intensify and maintain focus leads to confidence and, to the ability to execute under any conditions. When the mind is so full of a plan, there is little room for other thoughts or distractions. Nerves and anxiety tend to happen when we allow the ego to dominate the act of having a plan and staying focused. Demand that…
- John Wooden quotes
I’ve always been fascinated with and inspired by the legendary basketball coach John Wooden, whose quotes about life, people and sport have been applied to coaching, teaching and business. Here are some of my favorites. “I think you have to be what you are. Don’t try to be somebody else. You have to be yourself at all times.” “Consider the rights of others before your own feelings, and the feelings of others before your own rights.” “I don’t think I was a fine game coach. I’m trying to be honest. I think I was a good practice…
- Brene Brown Quotes
One of my ‘spirit animals’ and favorite authors, I first became aware of Brené Brown’s work and teachings through her TedX talks and then through her wonderful books. The Gifts of Imperfection contains some particularly golden quotes for me and here are some of my favorites. “Let go of you you think you’re supposed to be and embrace who you are.” “What’s the greater risk? Letting go of what people think or…letting go of how I feel, what I believe and who I am?” “We often try to acquire a sense of belonging by ‘fitting in’ and…
- Goethe Quote
Here’s a quote by the famous poet Goethe that I find particularly impactful: Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation) there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man…