13 Mar PUT OUT THE FIRE
I work with top-level tennis players who are intelligent, athletic, and highly driven individuals with big goals. These players work hard. During a particularly tough training session, one of my players suddenly snapped, saying, “Shut up. Watch who you’re talking to.” Nearby players immediately looked over, curious about how I would respond.
I simply smiled, recognizing the situation. He wasn’t addressing me; he was talking to himself, struggling to control the negative inner voice that had taken over.
If you’re like me, there are moments when you need the discipline and courage to quiet your own mind. Our inner voice is powerful; it can either motivate us or defeat us. The key is to remember that we have a choice about which voice to listen to.
Next time that negative internal voice appears, remind yourself that you have the power to shut it down and put out the flame. Sometimes, the best response is to ignore the negativity completely, telling them that no one is listening and that they should take their sales pitch elsewhere. This is the mindset of winners who lead with standards over moods or fears.