Tennis, a Book and a Blog
Last winter, I attended a Live Dynamite Circle. Now, at this time in my life, I’d been unemployed for a period of 5 months. This session was a great experience where I was challenged to think differently about what I want in my life. More importantly I was challenged to think about what I am willing to DO to get it. What actions am I willing to take? One of the goals I set out was to win a tennis tournament. My goal, as written on my goal card was as follows: I am celebrating my 6-3, 6-2 win in my first tennis tournament by December 31, 2007 – or better!
Now, just because I wrote it down wasn’t going to make it so. I took action steps to accomplish it. I studied that card everyday this summer. I mentally rehearse my goals, read the words, infuse them with emotion and true belief and go through the images of success in my head – in the car, in the steam room, practicing on the court, before I went to bed at night, and when I woke in the morning. I even created a screen saver with a picture of me holding a US Open trophy.
I also took action and played in almost every tournament offered this season. I finished 3rd in one of them, 2nd in another. This last weekend, I played in the Eau Claire Halloween Open. Yep, in Eau Claire, WI – 95 miles from Minneapolis. After months of practice, believing and visualizing my goal, in a third set tie-breaker 10-8, I won the tournament. I had accomplished it! This goal card now sits by the trophy with a big, fat check mark on it. Completed – not exactly as written, but I am sure proud of the results!
With the gentle nudges and enthusiasm of my Live Dynamite group every month I am working on chapters of my book and a blog. Another goal that I set for myself. It’s all happening and I’m thrilled to have created the support network and structure for myself that has taken both my tennis, my life and my attitude to the next level. This stuff works!
-Jeff Stafford
Minneapolis, MN
