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| Andre Agassi: |
This week, we looked at Denis Waitley's first seed, in his famous book Seeds of Greatness – Self Esteem. Over the next nine weeks, we will focus on each of the other seeds, for a total of ten: Self Esteem, Creativity, Responsibility, Wisdom, Purpose, Communication, Faith, Adaptability, Perseverance, and Perspective.
My daughter gave me a copy of Andre Agassi's autobiography, 'Open' for a Christmas gift and it has now made it to the top of the reading pile. I can't put it down. Sports Illustrated said the same thing: "The writing here is exceptional. It is can't-put-down good." "Bracingly devoid of triumphalist homily, Aggassi's is one of the most pasionately anti-sports books ever written by a superstar athlete," says The New York Times. And Entertainment Weekly says, "Not only has Agassi bared his soul like few professional athletes ever have, he's done it with a flair and force that most professional writers can't even pull off."
The book is a fascinating insight into the psyche of one of the most unique individuals you will ever encounter. And it rings true to this weeks topic of self-esteem, as Agassi ("Image is Everything") explains how he battled self-esteem demons throughout his career. Self-esteem demons that we all battle, whether or not we have the best return in all of tennis. My wife and I remember sitting in a Nike Town in Atlanta, GA one Saturday morning in 1988 listening to Andre speak to a small group of fans. This was the long-haired, teen-age, rebel Andre and before he had won his first Grand Slam. We both walked away thinking, this guy has a heart as big as Atlanta, GA. There was something special about him that you couldn't quite put your finger on. Make this book a summer read!
The first seed, from Denis Waitley's best selling book Seeds of Greatness is Self Esteem.
Did you know that one's self esteem can often be traced back to early
childhood and how much positive or negative 'affirming' one received as a
child? Of course, regardless of our childhood experiences, at some
point we must take responsibility for ourselves and choose our
own feeling of internal value. Waitley says, "Successful people always believe in their own worth, even when they have nothing but a dream to hang on to!"
It is easy to feel good about yourself when everything is going well.
But in times of trouble, that is when it is so important to see yourself
as a worthwhile, changing, imperfect, growing individual. When you
realize that you are always growing and learning, times of trouble take
on a completely different meaning.
Here are ten action steps to building self-esteem from Waitley's book:
- Always greet people with a smile. When introducing yourself take the initiative to volunteer your name first and extend your hand first, looking the person in the eyes when you speak.
- In telephone communications, answer the phone pleasantly and immediately give your name to the caller.
- When in the car, listen to inspirational radio or recordings.
- Invest in your own knowledge.
- Always say 'thank you' when you are paid a complement, by anyone, for any reason.
- Don't brag!
- Don't tell your problems to people, unless they are directly involved with the solutions. And don't make excuses.
- Find successful role models that you can pattern yourself after.
- When you make a mistake or get ridiculed or rejected, look at the situation as a learning experience.
- Spend one day a week doing exactly what you want to do!
