The Lesson Lounge - Tennis Warrior

Your Link to Professional Thinking!

A downside to following successful people

There are many books written by people who have had success in different fields. The benefit to individuals that travel that same path can be enormous. Everything is laid out for them in a step 1,2,3 fashion. There is no question this information can be beneficial. Unfortunately there is a major downside that most people fail to take into consideration. The downside is - that person is not YOU! The successful person molded themselves into becoming successful over time with many, many decisions (good and bad), dedication, effort, and unique circumstances. A legitimate question arises. Was it the step 1,2, 3 that made them successful, or the decisions, dedication, effort, and unique circumstances?

I have seen this misconception in business, sports, and life many, many times. The person following the success advice relies heavily on doing steps 1,2, and 3, as the book clearly states. But it does not work! They think to themselves, "I don't get it, I followed exactly what it said. I guess I must not be following it correctly." The answer to this problem is actually simple. They forgot the decisions (good and bad), dedication, effort, and unique circumstances. In other words - individuality!

Yes, you should heed the advice of those who are successful. But, they are not YOU. You are your own unique success story and should develop your own style with your own step 1,2, 3 through your own decisions, dedication, effort, and unique circumstances. Success is more about individuality and just doing it, than it is about following steps 1,2, and 3. Nike had it right. JUST DO IT!!!

The point is do not let anyone stuff you in to a tennis mold. Just like a pro, you are unique, and should develop your own style of play. Of course you must follow some basic fundamental principles like swinging low to high to hit topspin and high to low to hit backspin. but, much of learning tennis is individual. If you do not think this is true, watch the pros. I know some of you think that pros learned to play tennis by painstakingly day by day practicing the intricate technical skills until they finally reached perfection. This simply is not true. According to conventional wisdom the pros are doing everything wrong and would not fair well in a traditional tennis lesson!!! As I have said before in one of my "tennis myths." I'M NOT GOING TO TELL THEM, YOU TELL THEM. They seem to be doing all right for themselves, so I think it's best to leave them alone. In fact, maybe we should learn something from them.

The pros all have their own style. Some have big looping back swings, some have compact back swings, some have a straighter back swing, some hit heavy topspin, others hit more flat. Just like the pros you should learn strokes and play within your own style. Then, discipline yourself to practice and mold that style. A good coach can help guide you without stuffing you in a mold. Do not over think the technical end of the game. Much of what you will learn will come in time with practice and repetition. And it will happen naturally.

Now, do not get me wrong. I am not telling you to abandon the technical skills. I am telling you to instead rely more heavily on your day to day decisions to practice, stay dedicated, exert the necessary effort, and your own unique circumstances, than on steps 1,2, and 3. Steps 1, 2, and 3 should be used as a guide...that's all!

Remember, they tried to change Bjion Borg and make him follow the 1,2, 3 tradition by eliminating his big looping topspin game. But, he refused and changed tennis forever. Chris Evert's two-handed backhand was a no, no at the time. She did it anyway and changed tennis forever. They both developed their own unique style of play and completely baffled the experts of the day.

There are many books, tapes, newsletters, and other material that can teach you an assortment of different things. Use them as guides, not the end all and be all. No one, including myself, can explain in a 1,2 ,3 fashion the exact formula that will bring YOU tennis success. YOU are unique. YOU have to do it. YOU have to experience it. Rely more on yourself and the power of action to get the job done. And you will!