Many thanks to Neil Sheehy for a worthwhile two days!

For years, athletes, coaches, parents, pro teams, etc., have searched for the secrets to unlock optimum athletic mental performance.  Today, however, in spite of a myriad of tools, techniques, and theoretical models, consistent success and contentment, on and off the field, are as elusive to the sports world as ever.  We see young athletes pushed so hard that 70 percent quit organized athletics by the age of 13.   It seems like every day a high school, collegiate, or pro athlete, is making headlines for his or her errant behavior.  Not to mention, talented players repeatedly failing to deliver in the so-called ‘clutch.’ 

While many insist that athletics is a great way to learn life lessons and expand life skills, this development is simply not taking place.  Now, in “Why the Grind?”–The Future of Athletic Mental Performance, Garret Kramer, the founder of Inner Sports, provides a revolutionarily simple explanation and understanding.  In a fluent and readable manner, Kramer reveals the innate principles behind consistent performance and success, as he highlights the misalignment between the experience of athletes and the strategies of the coaches and psychologists who are trying to help them.  Kramer uses real life examples to explore such questions as:  Where does effort truly come from?  What is the zone and what we must do (or not do) to get there?  Why willpower won’t work?  What is the difference between insight and intellect?  Are goals really useful?  Why the best mentors focus on state of mind and not behavior?  And, what is the connection between competiveness, contentment, and one’s level of well-being?  

Virtually all individuals—athletes and non athletes alike, are looking outside of themselves, hoping to unlock the keys to success and happiness.  In “Why the Grind?” Kramer shows us to look within to finally find the answers.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/golf/90182322.html

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1166082/index.htm

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703630404575053551039526156.html

http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/mapleleafs/article/760347–leafs-others-advised-amid-losses-don-t-think

Garret and host Mike Hogan discuss the principles necessary to curb the gun issue, and other issues as well, in professional sports today.

http://www.fan590.com/media.jsp?content=20100111_120547_1368

http://www.thestar.com/sports/article/748728–gun-toting-athletes-becoming-a-familiar-problem