Confidence Builder: LeBron James Hits a Game Winner for the Ages

“That’s a shot you’ll see for a long time. We’re confident. I know I am as an individual. I make sure our team is.”

--LeBron James, after winning Game 2 in the NBA playoffs against the Orlando Magic to prevent the Cleveland Cavaliers from going down 0-2 in the conference finals series.

“They are a good team. But we are the best team in basketball. I don’t feel that they’ve had to adjust to us one time in the series.”

“Guarantee we’re going to win the series? Yeah, yeah. We are down 2-1. But there is nobody on this team and definitely not myself that says we are not going to win this series. Yeah, it is going to be tough. We know that. We get this game tomorrow, go home, still got home-court advantage."

--Mo Williams, Cleveland Cavaliers' guard.

Despite the Game 2 heroics, the Cleveland Cavaliers find themselves down 2-1 in the NBA Eastern Conference finals.

LeBron James Keeps the Cleveland Cavaliers In A Zone

"It's unexplainable, honestly. There's only a few guys in this league that can get into a zone like that, and I'm blessed to have the ability to be one of those guys.

"You just feel like you can make pretty much every shot you take."

--LeBron James, after scoring 47 point to help the Cleveland take a commanding 3-0 lead in the NBA playoff series.

James was 15 of 25 from the field and went 5 of 10 on 3-point shots, and made 12 of 16 free throws.

"He's not the MVP for nothing. He's the best player in the league. He knows when to push the gas. That's what he did."

--Zaza Pachulia, Atlanta Hawks' center.

Athletes refer to the state of being in the zone when everything comes together, when one does great things, and when mind and body are able to stretch to the limit to accomplish greatness. This state involves total immersion and focus, such that distractions and "noise" are absent. Often, at times of peak performance, athletes find themselves "in the zone." For basketball players the basket seems bigger and wider. They can't miss. For baseball players, they report being able to see the baseball bigger, more clearly and in great detail. Football players describe a feeling of being invincible with the ability to run all day through their opponents without being touched. In the zone, your confidence is high, worry is non-existent.

Flow is the term coined by University of Chicago Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, (1990) to refer to this psychological dimension described by thousands of individuals during his 25 years of researching this universal phenomenon. In sports, athletes often refer to this state as the "zone". Eastern philosophers experience similar meditative states when practicing Zen Buddhism.

During flow, consciousness becomes harmoniously ordered. According to Daniel Goleman (1995), author of Emotional Intelligence, the ability to enter a state of flow represents emotional intelligence at its best, because it is incompatible with emotional discord or strain. Flow is considered an autotelic, or intrinsically rewarding experience. Since it feels so good, this optimal experience becomes not just a means, but an end in itself.

People attain a state of flow and perform at their best when they are engaged in a task where the challenge is slightly above their ability. Too much challenge will produce anxiety, overload the psyche, and sabotage any chance of having a peak experience. On the other hand, too little challenge will inevitably lead to boredom. Flow occurs in the narrow zone between these two opposites.

For more on LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, go to LeBron James, Peak Performance Case Study.

LeBron James and Cleveland Cavaliers Charge into the Playoffs

"We're just a really good team. We're really confident and we believe in each other.

"We're ready for anything. We don't go into a game saying, 'win by 20' or 'win by double digits.' We go into a game to execute and take one possession at a time and try to get better. If that causes us to win by 20 or causes us to win by two, we're ready for that challenge.''

--LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers, after a 105-85 win over the Atlanta Hawks to take a 2-0 lead in the 2009 NBA Eastern Conference playoffs.

Now a perfect 6-0 in the 2009 NBA postseason, the Cavaliers tied a league record by winning their sixth consecutive playoff game by double digits. The only other team to do it was the 2004 Indiana Pacers. Cleveland also matched the 1986 Los Angeles Lakers by winning three straight games by at least 20 points in a postseason.

After 6 games, James’ playoff averages are 31.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game.

Excerpts from ESPN.com (May 8. 2009)

For more check out LeBron James: Peak Performance Case Study on Squidoo.com.

NBA Playoff Rewind: "Michael Jordan Wants the Ball" (YouTube video)

The NBA Playoffs are gaining speed and intensity. Here is a video rewind honoring Michael Jordan.

2009 NBA Playoffs: Denver Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony Matures

"Foul trouble didn't bother him, it didn't freak him out, it didn't take him to a dark side that we had to worry about. He trusted the team, the team did great and he came out in the second half and was a leader for us.

"His maturity, his mental involvement now is team and not individual ... I don't know who's given him that wisdom. Is it Chauncey [Billups]? Is it a gold medal? Is it the coaching staff? I don't care, I think he's doing a fantastic job."

--George Karl, Denver Nuggets head coach, discussing the Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony, an Olympic basketball gold medal winner in 2008, who is showing more emotional maturity.

Anthony he was in early foul trouble for what he considered questionable calls, in a opening, second round game win over the Dallas Mavericks. In the past, Anthony might have verbally attacked the referees, been thrown out, or pouted on the bench. Instead, 'Melo maintained his composure and scored 14 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, including a dunk off J.R. Smith's behind-the-back assist that drove the Denver crowd crazy.

Excerpts from ESPN.com and Associated Press (May 3, 2009)

For more about Peak Performance, click on The Handbook of Peak Performance.

Are You Afraid to Suffer for Success?

"The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win."

--Roger Bannister, first man to run a mile under 4 minutes.

Is your performance less that what you expect or desire? Are you under-performing because you avoid pain? Are you unsure that the pain of preparation, discipline, and practice will be worth it? Is your lack of focus a lack of commitment and need for a guaranteed outcome?

Peak performers in every field of endeavor understand the value of sacrifice and pain. Success, though not guaranteed, follows those who prepare.

Make sure that you are in a position to succeed. Push yourself to practice and prepare. Success may follow.

For more, click on The Handbook of Peak Performance.

Tyler Hansbrough, University of North Carolina: Fulfilling a Championship Dream

"Nothing beats this feeling right here. This is the best way to go out. I couldn't picture it any other way."

--Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina All-American, after he and his Tar Heels teammates soundly beat the Michigan State Spartans, 89-72, in the NCAA championship game. The final score was the largest title-game margin in 17 years.

"This is the culmination of a dream he's had since he was old enough to know what a basketball is. This is something he's had in his mind since he was a little boy, to be a national champion. All the individual awards are nice, but this is a team sport. It's always meant more for him to win as a team."

--Gene Hansbrough, Tyler Hansbrough's father, discussing a championship mindset.

Hansbrough turned down an opportunity for NBA money and glory last year for a shot at leading North Carolina to the NCAA basketball title.

In his last college game, Hansbrough had a typically solid game with 18 points and seven rebounds. He is one of the most successful and decorated college basketball players in history. He is a three-time consensus All-American. He is also the fourth all-time leading scorer in NCAA tournament play with 325 points, the Atlantic Coast Conference all-time leading scorer and the first player in conference history to lead his team in scoring and rebounding in each of his four years.

Watch the ESPN.com highlights of the game below.

Michigan State's Tom Izzo: Master of the Game Plan

"We're confident he's going to come out with a game plan and have something ready for us. That's why he's coach Izzo, and why he's a Hall of Famer one day. With one preparation day, the things he does are amazing."

--Travis Walton, Michigan State player, describing the Spartans' head coach, Tom Izzo, and his emphasis on the importance of preparing a solid game plan.

For more on Tom Izzo's preparation, click on King of the Quick Turnaround by Pat Forde at ESPN.com.

Michael Jordan, University of North Carolina Tar Heel Legend, Makes Hall of Fame

Watch the ESPN video above to hear about Jordan's legacy as described by current players.

Michael Jordan was elected to the Class of 2009 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame along with David Robinson, John Stockton, Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan and Rutgers women's coach C. Vivian Stringer.

The announcement was made today in Detroit, site of the men's Final Four. Induction is Sept. 10-12 in Springfield, Mass., home of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Jordan's Hall of Fame selection was no surprise after he retired as perhaps the greatest player in basketball history.

For more about Michael Jordan and Peak Performance, click on The Handbook of Peak Performance.

Tiger Woods Continues to Add to the Legend

"I'm in serious disbelief. I don't think I've ever seen him make a putt when he had to have one. And that was the epitome of sarcasm right there. The guy is amazing. I am in awe. I don't want to say shock. I'm in awe.

"It was unbelievable drama. I tried to stay in my own world. ... It's kind of hard when you're seeing what you're seeing. Obviously Tiger, when he needs to step up, he does it. It was impressive to watch."

--Zach Johnson, PGA golfer who was in the final threesome with Tiger Woods, who Sunday won the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando.

Tiger Woods came from five-shots behind on the last round. Woods is a five-time winner of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, yet he has never won when he was trailing going into the final round. His largest final-round comeback on the PGA Tour was five shots in the 2000 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. He once overcame an eight-shot deficit in the 1998 Johnnie Walker Classic in Thailand.

Sean O'Hair's five-shot lead was the largest at Bay Hill since Woods led by five in 2003.

Woods came to the 18th hole tied with O'Hair after a bogey at the 17th and hit a 7-iron from 160 yards to 15 feet. O'Hair had already knocked his second shot on the green, leaving himself a 40-footer that he lagged to within 3 feet for a par that would have meant a sudden-death playoff if Woods missed.

Excerpts from ESPN.com (March 30, 2009)

The End of the "To-Do Lists"

Where has a "To-do list" ever gotten anybody?

Time management gurus stick to the notion that having a sound "to-do list" is a great tool for efficiency and productivity. Nothing new has come out of the time management field in a long time. Of course, there is some value in having a "to-do list." And, granted, it feels good to check-off or put a line through each item. You may even feel relief in knowing that you may have gotten someone off your imaginary back. But, is that real value? Will your feeling last? Who cares?

Let's think. Do you really get a sense of satisfaction out of getting those types of items done. Will you really remember accomplishing anything when you look back on the day? Do you really feel that you have achieved anything? I say not.

I talk to executives and managers all the time. I particularly find that during job interviews candidates are drawn to jobs and opportunities in which their talents will be deployed to make a difference. However, in most instances, once they are hired and as their role is developed and clarified, their performance is often measured in small ways; in ways that reflect the old "to-do list" mentality. Their talents are wasted, the company flounders, and disappointment sets in all around. It is a set up for failure and disillusionment; an opportunity thrown away.

What about a "to-make-a-difference" list? What about a well-thought out list of high-impact actions that will add long-term, lasting value? What about a list of "game-changing" moves that will be remembered well beyond today? What about actions that will be easily shared by others and quickly remembered at annual review time? What about actions that support your vision of success, for you and the organization? Think about that the next time you start jotting down your "to-do list."

Instead, make it a "to-make-a-difference" list? How different will that list be? How different will you feel putting a dent in that list? I can hear the change in your energy level and motivation already. Go ahead, try it.

Tim Tebow Pledge Is Immortalized

“To the fans, the Gator Nation, I’m sorry. Extremely sorry. But I promise you one thing: a lot of good will come from this. You will never see a player, in the entire country, play as hard as I will play the rest of the season. You will never see someone push the rest of the team as hard as I will push everybody the rest of this season. And you will never see a team play harder than we will play the rest of the season. God bless.”

--Tim Tebow, University of Florida championship quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner.

University of Florida head coach Urban Meyer had junior quarterback Tim Tebow's speech engraved on a plaque and placed outside the front entrance to the new football facility at Florida Field.

Tebow's speech was an emotional promise he made after the University of Mississippi Rebels upset Florida 31-30 on Sept. 27, 2008. The Gators responded by winning the remainder of their games to qualify for the BCS Championship game and beating Oklahoma 24-14 to win the school's second national football title in three years.

Excerpts from ESPN.com (March 26, 2008).

Rivalry or Respect: Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal

"People forget it's not only about forehands and backhands. Both these guys display character you don't always see in big-time athletes. Look at Michael Vick and the steroid-users in baseball to see how poorly some represent their sports. Tennis is lucky to have this duo at the top."

--Chris Evert, publisher of Tennis magazine and former championship woman tennis player, discussing the significance of the mutual respect within the rivalry between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Excerpt taken from Tennis.com (April 2009).

Terrell Owens: Peak Performance Case Study

Should any NFL team take a chance on Terrell Owens, the recently released wide-receiver of the NFL Dallas Cowboys? Should the Cowboys have released him? Should the Cowboys have ever signed him as a free-agent in the first place?

The Peak Performance System provides us with a useful model to assess Terrell Owens professional equity and value as a performer; past, present and future. Let's take a look.

First of all, the definition of peak performance is the ability of a individual, team or organization to attain a consistent and sustainable high-level of performance over a long period of time. The seven components of what specific behaviors make a peak performer are described below:

1. VISION(ing)-- the over-arching process by which individuals, teams and organizations determine their desired upper-level big-picture, high-impact final result.

What is Terrell Owens' vision? What does he find most important?

T.O. has proven that he clearly values glowing individual statistics, opportunities to showcase his talents, displaying his superior trash talking and opportunities to taunt opponents with post-touchdown rituals and dances. He focuses on personal attention-getting behaviors regardless of their negative impact on the Cowboys. It is all about him rather than his team. Football is a team sport and success is measured by winning and by championships, not individual statistics. T.O. does not have a vision that corresponds to the team or organizational goals of many if any NFL team in the league. He has short-term, individual goals in mind. GRADE: F

2. FAST-FORWARDING-- the ability of individuals, teams, and organizations to identify likely significant barriers to achieving their vision.

Terrell Owens not only lacks skill in his ability to see what barriers are likely to be encountered in achieving team goals; he also seems to have a short-range view of the attainment of his individual goals. He places a much higher priority on his individual goals, but rarely understands the barriers that may hinder him or the team from achieving their long range goals of winning championships. He has yet to take responsibility for his role in the failures of his teams to win the Super Bowl. GRADE: F

3. MENTAL MINDSET-- the ability to consistently remain positive, productive, proactive and focused on team and organizational goals as well as the ability to control his emotions for the good of the whole group.

Terrell Owens has been described as a cancer in the locker room of each team for whom he has played. He has lost the support of every front office, head coach and quarterback for whom he has competed. He has lost his temper and composure while undermining the team at every juncture of his career. Additionally, his reported suicide attempt through drug overdose can hardly be seen as a sign of mental/emotional stability. None of his teams have reached nor won the Super Bowl, the dream of every NFL team.

4. GAME PLAN-- the end product of brainstorming sessions, strategic and tactical discussion that focus on the building of successful behavioral steps required to attain the vision. Game plans require massive amounts of honesty, openness, constructive feedback, communication and cooperation.

Although, Terrell Owens is consistently able to prepare himself physically, he has only periodically been able to follow or support the team game plan. He expends excessive energy questioning the game plan before and during games. He insists instead on having the offense revolve around him in order to maximize the number of catches and touchdowns for whom he is given credit. GRADE: D

5. PREPARATION/REHEARSAL--This refers to the ability to get ready to perform through structured and deliberate behavioral practice and repetition.

On the surface it appears that this is T.O.'s strength. By and large, he demonstrates an ability to prepare and perform at an individual level that is quite high. However, the media circus and series of distractions that surround him can often be more of a distraction than it is worth to the rest of the team. GRADE: C

6. EXECUTION-- This refers to the ability of a team to perform the game plan as designed and to the best of their ability.

Once again, on the surface, T.O.'s star quality, exciting plays and touchdowns can mask his toxic need to be the center of attention. His primary interest is to get the ball in his hands and to prove that he is a great receiver. He prefers to excel individually and to prove that he is the focal point of the team. He is willing to sacrifice team performance for individual star value. GRADE: D

7. REVIEW-- This refers to a winning, competitive mentality that values continuous improvement and learning through the evaluation and re-evaluation of performance for the purpose of eliminating errors and mistakes.

Terrell Owens has demonstrated an inability to learn from his mistakes. His tenure with each NFL team has been amazingly similar with initial periods of good behavior followed by disruptions, temper tantrums, emotional outbursts, and, finally, the inevitable erosion of team chemistry and harmony. GRADE: F


Should Terrell Owens have been signed by the Dallas Cowboys? The signs are clear that the Cowboys have regretably damaged their championship window of opportunity and will have to rebuild their team due to taking a gamble on a troubled, yet supremely talented wide receiver.

Should Terrell Owens be signed by another team? Past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior. So, I think the answer is clear. No team should take chance on T.O. without accepting the risks and expecting a short period of performance followed by a quick decline of the entire team.

Brad Lidge: Understanding Performance and Perfection

“The biggest thing for me is to not get caught up in stats in terms of perfection and non-perfection. You start with the goal that you want to throw well in every game and maintain that. The reality is, I have to be able to help our team win and have a good year as a closer.

"I’m not trying to top 2008. We won the World Series. In terms of what a closer is supposed to do, I can’t do better in save percentage. But I can actually go out and blow a couple of saves and still pitch better than I did last year.”

--Brad Lidge, Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher, who recorded 48 saves in 48 chances, including the clinching game of the World Series.

Excerpts from the New York Times, February 26, 2009.

For the full article, go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/26/sports/baseball/26lidge.html?th&emc=th

Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis Colts: Peak Performance Case Study

"I've always treasured the time I've had with him because I respected him so much as a person. He worked so hard at his craft, he was always so prepared and he did every little thing he could to win. And he did it with quiet dignity, superb professionalism and with a sense of contribution to the team, that really is second to none."

--Bill Polian, Indianapolis Colts' team president., discussing his relationship with Marvin Harrison.

To date, Marvin Harrison has caught 1,102 passes (#2 in NFL history) for 14,580 yards and 128 touchdowns, all for the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL. He is the Colts' leading single-season and career receiving leader in catches, yardage and touchdowns , surpassing former Colt and Hall-of-Famer Raymond Berry. He teamed with Peyton Manning to form the most potent passing combination in National Football League history. Harrison was the Colts' first-round draft pick in 1996, out of Syracuse. The Colts won the Super Bowl in 2007.

Marvin Harrison was released today at his request by the Indianapolis Colts after a contract could not be agreed upon.




Excerpts from ESPN.com, February 25, 2009.

Rewind to Beijing 2008--Mike Krzyzewski: Leading USA Basketball to Olympic Gold Through Planning and Preparation

"The amount of time we had to put into this was substantial. For more than three years, we were in constant touch, constant planning, meeting, dealing with players, training camps, travel, the world championships, the Olympic qualifying and then the whole Olympic experience. And Mike was amazing, in terms of preparation, everything you ever heard about him.

Jerry Colangelo, Managing Director, USA Basketball, who chose Coach Krzyzewski to be the head coach and restore the United States to its place as the world's premier basketball power.

Excerpts from the New York Times, February 19, 2009.

Mike Tomlin: Glimpses of a Championship Head Coach

"It's like chess to me. I like to control my emotions because I want to see things with clarity. I think that's what my team needs me to do in those instances. I think that's what my team needs me to do in those instances. Not that I don't enjoy it, I do, but I'm always trying to stay a step ahead.

"You wear many hats in this business, and I embrace that as much as I do the X's and O's. I probably get more enjoyment out of watching people grow than I do preparing winning football games. It's a beautiful thing. I believe that's what we're all called to do."

--Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers' head coach, discussing his sideline demeanor and various leadership and mentoring roles on the team.

Excerpts from the New York Times, February 3, 2009.

Watch the game-winning drive on YouTube below.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Model for an NFL Franchise

"They've run a model franchise. I think everyone in Pittsburgh recognizes how proud they are of the Steelers. We in the NFL recognize how fortunate we've been to have Dan Rooney's leadership and now Art's leadership."

--Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner, discussing the Rooney family and their ownership.

"They do a great job of letting their personnel do their jobs. They take care of things on their end and let the people they've hired for their positions do their job. That's what's special."

--Brett Keisel, Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive end.

The Steelers have now won 6 Super Bowls (an NFL record) and have been a model of stability in the NFL. They have only had 3 coaches since 1969. Chuck Noll won 4 Super Bowls. Bill Cowher had eight teams that won 10 or more games from 1992 to 2006, including records of 13-3, 15-1, 11-5 and 10-5-1, three American Conference championship games, and one Super Bowl in his last five seasons.

Mike Tomlin is the youngest head coach to win a Super Bowl.

Excerpts from the New York Times, January 25, 2009.

Steelers's Super Bowl Win: Overcoming Adversity

“We’re a team that doesn’t blink in the face of adversity. It’s never going to be pretty, or perfect, if you will, but they have a great deal of belief in one another.”

--Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers' head coach, discussing the Steelers' comeback in the final minutes of the Super Bowl.

Tomlin, became the youngest head coach to win a Super Bowl. The Steelers have won more Super Bowls than an other NFL franchise, six.