How You Carry Yourself
Matters more than the wins and losses
In today’s Bite Size Pickleball Newsletter:
How You Carry Yourself Matters More Than the Wins and Losses
This week’s Bite Size Pickleball podcast featuring ANGUISH.
How You Carry Yourself Matters More Than the Wins and Losses
In writing my latest book, 11 Ways of the Athletic Warrior: A Guide to Peak Performance, I came upon a lot of great quotes, many of which ended up in the book. One of my favorite comes from former tennis pro Jim Courier:
“Sportsmanship for me is when a guy walks off the court and you really can’t tell whether he won or lost, when he carries himself with pride either way.”
That’s something really hard for us to do, of course, because we’re caught up in those wins and losses. But mainly the losses! We’re fine, big smile on our faces, when we win, but when we lose, that’s the real test. Can we maintain a sense of dignity, not only to ourselves, but to our opponents? Or do the losses really sting our fragile egos and make us behave like little b…..? And, if that is the case, how can we work toward a healthier relationship with ourselves? Because it’s when we have a healthy relationship to ourselves, that we’ll also exemplify that with others. In a divisive country, all I wish for is us to get along a little better with one another. Let that start on the pickleball court.
I always like to remind players to forget about coming to the game with a “win or loss” mindset, and work to be your best self, maxing your potential, and allowing the rest to play out on its own. In other words, you’re not going to be able to force the wins and losses, you’re only going to be able to control what you can control. Namely, in this instance, getting the most out of your game. Funny enough, when you can zero in on that mindset, a lot of wins seem to come from it. Because you’re not constantly looking at, and obsessed with, the finish line, you’re focusing more on moment-to-moment play. That is when you’re much more likely to tap The Zone.
This Zen philosophy is at the crux of why I wrote a new book. Not only because I was, and am constantly, working on this stuff myself, but because I truly believe it has helped me to become a better player, and more importantly, a better person.
Can I carry myself with pride, gratitude, and humility, win or lose? Or am I filled with anguish when things don’t go my way? TBH, I don’t typically display a lot of anguish on the court, or in my life. However, I am certainly challenged when exposed to others who make a habit of “acting out” on the court. To them, I dedicate the title of this podcast:
PODCAST: TAKE IT EASY, DON’T LET THE SOUND OF YOUR OWN WHEELS DRIVE ME CRAZY
BOOK GIVEAWAY
I am giving away 10 copies of my new book 11 Ways of the Athletic Warrior: A Guide to Peak Performance to the first 10 folks who email me at rick@bitesizepickleball.com AND who are willing to write a review of the book. If you received my last book in a giveaway, I ask that you go to the reviews of that book on Amazon and take a screenshot of your review and include it, along with your address, in the email. Sorry to ask, but several people got free copies of How to Play Better Pickleball and blew off the rate and review part. To those of you who followed through, I truly appreciate your help. Obviously, I spend a lot of time on this pickleball thing, and it is awesome when you show your gratitude in one form or another. Like this one…
WHY DON’T YOU DO IT IN THE ROAD?
The Beatles surely did! Pictured here crossing Abbey Road with pickleball paddles in hand. F*ck recording! They’re getting their game on! This shirt is easily the best selling tee in my store. Find it by clicking here. Use the discount code VIPcustomer10 for 10% off. Hundreds of more designs on tees, hoodies, hats and more.