After years of watching the Yankees sign high priced superstars to long-term contracts I feel strongly that they did the right thing by letting Cano go by passing on his demands. At 31, it’s hard to argue that another 10 year two hundred plus million contact is worth the risk, especially given the A-Rod situation. It takes courage to change course and do things differently and the Yankees are finally showing some – good stuff! I teach clients what I call fluidity or the flexibility to do things differently, especially if what they have been doing is not working. The Yankees have had a lot of success with high priced superstars in the past but the world is changing and the numbers are getting out of hand for guys that are already in their prime and may only have a few great years left. Only time will tell but again congrats for trying a different approach! read more

An athlete I’m coaching texted me the image below with the quote. One of the many keys to living successfully is to integrate mind and heart! Many people have a tough time doing so, especially if they work in fast paced, ultra competitive environments like professional sports or big business. Part of the reason I spend so much time coaching others to be more present is that by spending more and more time in the here and now people gradually acquire the ability to integrate head and heart more fully! Presence is the magic that allows us to use our minds in the service of our hearts as we learn to slow down enough to both hear and listen! read more

The more golfers I coach, the more I love it. Golf is a very complex sport because the ball doesn’t move! That may sound counter-intuitive but it’s not – what I mean is that because the ball doesn’t move without the golfer making a swing, the mental game is even more important. I just shot at 76 at Yale golf course over the weekend. It was a great round but especially good considering that I’ve only played four times all fall. I was relaxed and peaceful with nothing about life or business bothering me. When I coach athletes, I help them eliminate all the dramas and distractions in their lives. This is huge. Having a clear mind and playing at one’s best is almost synonymous. I also work on present moment time and teach others to do so. The more present we are the better we play! There’s so much more… read more

I love reading about and watching athletes and entrepreneurs who go about their tasks or jobs in ways that “feel” right for them but don’t necessarily abide by conventional standards! Cabrera is one of those guys who hit by “feel” and don’t do things that are technically correct or sound. I play golf well largely through “feel.” It’s great to have solid technicals but many times good fundamentals are not enough. Allowing yourself to “feel” your way through a skill is invaluable. This too takes practice and confidence but can add a dimension to your life and business that no technical skill can! read more

Sanchez may have the will but I’m not convinced he has the skill nor do many. I remember watching Sanchez’ first two seasons with the Jets when he got credit for taking them to the AFC championship game. Somewhere along the way Rex Ryan married him as well – big mistake. Sanchez was never that good, the Jets defense was superb then. Like any organization, top management matters a lot and the Jets have been abysmal in this regard. Getting too attached to anyone or anything is problematic in life and business. This is especially true in sports. Flexibility and fluidity are a far better substitute just look at the Patriots; true they’ve had Brady but when he got injured Matt Cassel, a no-name backup got the job done. Belichick as we all know is far beyond Ryan in intelligence and coaching skill but its his flexibility and willingness to let go of players who no longer fit that stands apart from mere mortals like Ryan! read more

Diana Nyad succeeded in her 5th try to make the 110 mile swim from Havana, Cuba to Key West. Amazingly it took her nearly 53 hours – that’s over two days and she is 64 years old. Her advice: never, ever give up! I agree: my advice on success in life and business: never, ever give up! Sometimes, we need some outside coaching and guidance to get perspective but giving up is never an option for those of us who truly want to live!! read more

An interesting article in the Sunday Times sports section on Tom Coughlin, the New York Giants head coach. As a lifelong Giants fan I’ve watched Coughlin mature as a coach and leader well into his sixties. At first, I didn’t like him for many of the same reasons as his players. He seemed too uptight, rigid, and inflexible; qualities that perturb me in others not just head football coaches. But Coughlin, too his credit, changed just enough to win over his players and pull together a Super Bowl victory and the rest is history as they say! Change, at any age, is challenging. And yet, those of us who embrace change, while retaining the core of who we are that makes us unique and special, often find life easier and more rewarding. I love to teach and exemplify emotional flexibility. It’s a terrific way to live. Remember: it’s never too late to change! read more

I was working out at my buddy’s gym on the ground floor of his high end South Beach condo in march when Alex Rodriguez sauntered in to do a workout, rehabbing from hip surgery. I went from machine to machine trying to maximize my efforts in a relatively brief period of time. Meanwhile A-Rod looked like he was in super chill mode working out like a seventy year-old. I told everyone that I talked to that day that I thought he might be done. This article in the Sunday New York Times suggests that a small time dispute between a client/business partner of Biogenesis owner Anthony Bosch might assist in his demise. The owner of the clinic, a “classic con man,” wouldn’t pay a measly  $4000 loan back and got ratted out as a result. Big name players like Ryan Braun were also ensnared as a result of their dealings with Bosch. People cheat in life and in sports  because it often pays off in the short run, like A-Rod’s fabulous 2009 year. The real question is how do we create a culture where cheating is less rewarded? Wouldn’t it be great if we had courses in Integrity in school? I often say that we need more teaching in communication, self-expression, empathy, and love! Integrity is fundamental to true and lasting success in life and business so I am adding that as part of a future curriculum in school! read more

Sean Foley, “as much a mental coach as a swing coach,” has guided Tiger, Lee Westwood, Hunter Mahan, and Justin Rose in recent years. Notice how all the top golfers in the world have outside coaching and guidance and not just on the physical level but mentally as well. I work with executives and business owners who utilize my services in part because of my focus on improving their mental game in life and business not just sports. And with several, we hit balls as well!—  New York Times Sports Sunday section read more

 When I read this article in The New York Times Magazine I had a dizzying array of thoughts – first, I love the game and believe it’s great that the international community is embracing it more and more. However, eight-year-olds pushed by their parents to train as if it were their full time job is a little frightening. I coached an architecture student at Pratt University in Brooklyn last year who was under enormous pressure to keep up with foreign (especially Chinese) students who regularly pulled all-nighters studying for exams. Sometimes, growth and competition can be a bad thing. Where is the emphasis on Being?, the essence of happiness, not just more and more Doing one might ask. read more