TONY
ABBATINE

Focus! The most overused command in sports and  the education world! We lose it,we focus on the wrong stuff and at times, we overfocus. We are told by well intended coaches to FOCUS, which many times, increases stress and focus on the wrong  stuff occurs As athletes, let's review the many layers of focus and when one is more appropriate than another. Scan-  visual focus that sweeps and scans objects like a freelance painter brushing the canvas. The eyes are in "free see" mode

Well it’s almost time to set our New Year’s resolutions. What will you leave in 2017? Why will 2018 be “your” year? Like many of my fellow Americans, I’ve never been good at keeping my resolutions. (But hey, major props to you if you’re part of the miniscule 8% that sticks to your resolutions!) Most of the time I forget about them after a few weeks. Oops. For others it might be setting too many or their train gets derailed after small failures. Sad. Well...I don’t necessarily

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.” Yes, some old dude from many moons ago named Aristotle coached up a large group of student athletes as he talked about sports and life. His formula was simple for those looking to excel in the classroom and the gridiron; Habits and routines created to further your skill or intellect level repeated over and over again in a boring monotonous manner are the foundation to excellence. If your routines and

In polling several athletes from a variety of college and high school sports, it became crystal clear what coaching habits and styles motivated and empowered today's athletes. Here's what I found: Players don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. Coaches who had high level listening skills when interacting with their players were held in high regard by all players. Coaches who demonstrated discipline in their own lives were more successful in teaching al

14 days of executing on little things that will make a big impact if you make it a part of the new you! Go back and review all 13 challenges and identify 3 that you will make a priority over the holiday season.  Don't get down on yourself if you forget to commit each day. New day, new start. Day 14 challenge. Three times today look in the mirror and with a genuine smile tell yourself  what a badass, rockstar, superhero you are! When you truly believe that, watch out world! An

JOG. As in Journal of Greatness. Today you create a JOG on your phone and write out a 10 day action plan on how to improve your SEED and attitude. SEED-  sleep, eat, exercise and drink habits. Be specific! Attitude entry-  how do you on a daily basis create the positive mindset and sense of control you need to use all the weapons and strategies you were introduced to during the WMD challenge. Bonus points if you take a regular jog outside!

Three times today select a song in your head or phone or IPod that is motivating and inspirational. Sing most of the song outloud with at least one witness to hear your performance!  Who cares what you sound like. Release the lyrics!