Simona Halep, #1 ranked in women’s tennis, flamed out in the 1st round of the 2018 US Open in Flushing Meadows, losing in straight sets. Per the New York Times, covering her post match interview, Halep, “true to character, honest as usual… suggested it was more the voices in her head that contributed to the dismal end…”

“I never play my best tennis in New York…. Yeah, nerves, because I was born like this, I think.”

Folks, some caveats: Halep is a superb athlete who has reached the height of her chosen field; a far, far better physical athlete than I could ever be. At the same time, it is interesting to observe the MENTAL aspect of her game for we all can aspire to become better mental athletes.

1) Your beliefs become self-fulfilling prophecies; consider re-framing negative one’s into positive possibilities: “I never play my best tennis in New York” v. “In the PAST I’ve not played my best here, that is about to change.”

2) Your Tendency does NOT have to be your Destiny!  “Nerves, because I was born like this, I think.” can become “I’ve learned how to turn my inner voice from a Nervous Nellie critic into a supportive coach/cheerleader. I love how I’ve learned how to become own my BFF! The longer the match goes on, the stronger, calmer and steadier I become. I’ve learned that there is a peaceful place in my head I can go. This is what I do and I do it well.”

Closing Quotes:

“Think you can, think you can’t, you are right.” – Henry Ford

“No matter where you go or what you do, you live your entire life within the confines of your head.” – Terry Josephson

 “There is nothing either good or bad but that thinking does not make it so.” – Hamlet Act 2, scene 2, 250–251

“Be sure to visualize only what you want. The law works both ways. If you visualize your worries and your fears, you will make them real. Control your thoughts and you will control circumstances. Conditions will be what you make them.” – Robert Collier, 1885-1950

As always, I share what I most want and need to learn. – Nathan S. Collier