Breaking Point
A breaking point is the moment where you give in to the notion that losing is failure, and that failure is unacceptable.
Something You Must Embrace
The Secret to Success
Most people have heard the phrase; “failure is not an option.” That's the biggest myth, lie, and single most detrimental mindset to success, fulfillment, and enjoyment of unveiling our potential. Mistakes, miscalculations, and poor choices are all necessary to achieve greatness. You must understand and accept that failure is a well disguised tutor, teacher, sensei, guide, and leader. It is the only thing that makes victory sweeter, fuller, louder, greater, more satisfying, more gratifying, more addicting, and one of the most rewarding feelings of chasing a goal.
Emotional Range
Mistakes should bring:
laughter
excitement
adrenaline and energy
intellectual stimulation and creativity
work ethic
frustration
experimentation
refreshed focus
recharged perseverance
the peace to accept you can't control everything
the wisdom of knowing when to take a break
the maturity to ask others for help
the open mindedness to learn from others around you
the ability to see failure as a game to keep playing instead of a enemy you have to beat
and most of all it will inspire to keep learning and to always seek new challenges
Failure SHOULDN’T cause you to have
anger, depression, anxiety, lack of interest, sense of entitlement, seriousness, close mindedness, boredom, apathy, dependency, codependency, resentment, unrest, early fatigue, tears of frustration, the need to control others and environments, refuse help, the tendency to cheat, lie, and manipulate or blame others.
Identity Check
The last part of rediscovering the joy of sport in tennis is to remember that your identity is not attached to your performance. And really it shouldn't be a performance you are putting on, but an experience you are enjoying and learning from. Matches and point play and just progress reports on how you are doing with what you are training. Keeping score are the only way matches can end. They are a means to an end, not a reflection on who you are or how you play. Always remind yourself of this important truth:
The score never tells the story.
“Your breaking point is when you believe you've failed at everything because you've failed at one thing, and it is in this moment you temporarily forget everything you have succeeded at in order to get you where you are. In the heat, or the sorrow, of this sensitive second of time, you ignore the reality that it is only a moment of learning, not a lifetime of defeat.” Laugh it off. It's just a game.
— Coach Nathan