This week’s hero is Armando Galarraga, pitcher for the Detroit Tigers. Last week Galarraga lost a perfect game in the 9th inning due to an umpire’s missed call, but rather than lose his cool and blame the ump for the blunder, he has instead handled the situation with dignity and grace.

How about that – a feel-good sports story rather than another “athlete in trouble” clip. Isn’t it really cool to watch Galarraga do exactly what you would want your child to do in this situation? No crying, no tantrum, no fighting, and no appeal. Obviously Galarraga and the rest of the world knows he deserved the perfect game, and everyone is pretty bummed out that he lost it due to an umpires missed call. Galarraga showed a very high level of mental toughness by closing the chapter on a great game and using the experience to learn from and focus on the next game. Thankfully, the media is giving us a gem for the front page, and not another arrest, drug bust, or story of infidelity.

Young athletes need to see more of these types of stories, especially since they are learning how to be role models themselves. Unfortunately, the feel-good stories about athletes rarely get this much media attention, making it difficult to model healthy and successful off-field behavior.

When I work with young athletes, I use these kinds of examples as teachable moments. By identifying and emphasizing Galarraga’s classy way of handling a very tough situation, kids can learn the importance of poise, control, and focus – three very important “mental toughness” variables. Rather than let his emotions get the best of him and amplify in his mind the significance of one erroneous call, Galarraga has taken a birds-eye view of his entire pitching performance that night, and will use the experience to better himself for his next start.

Armando Galarraga may not be a perfect guy, but for one day he displayed some pretty awesome role modeling behavior. If he continues with this type of mindset and focuses on the next game (rather than over-focusing on what cannot be changed), I have no doubt that he will reach his full athletic potential – and possibly throw a perfect game (again) in the future.

This great story is already gone from the front page, so be sure to have a conversation with a youngster about the teachable moment we just witnessed.

Posted by Christopher Stankovich, Ph.D

Sport Specialization: Is it the Right Choice?
By Christopher Stankovich, Ph.D.

Have you ever stopped and wondered whatever happened to the three-sport letter
winner? In the “old” days of athletics only just a few years ago, many young athletes
successfully played multiple sports, leading to the achievement of earning multiple
varsity letters in high school. Interestingly, a new trend has emerged today where the
multiple varsity letter winner has become an image of the past, and instead been
replaced with increasingly more kids specializing and playing only one sport.
Whether you like it or not, families today are faced with tough choices that often begin
at a very early age – including questions around how early to allow a child to begin
playing organized sports, what skill level to compete, and whether or not the child
should dedicate all of his or her efforts toward one sport instead sampling several
different sports throughout the year. It is the last concern, sport specialization, which I
would like to explore in this months article.
As with just about every venture in life, the more you do something, the more skilled
you are likely to become. Sport specialization allows children to play their chosen sport
more frequently, and for longer periods of time, often resulting in faster and more
advanced skill development. While the net result of how much a child specializing in
one sport improves compared to other children playing multiple sports is certainly
debatable, in most cases the child who specializes does advance with skill acquisition at
a faster pace when compared to other children who do not specialize in one sport.
A few advantages of sport specialization include:
 more games and practices;
 different competition from diverse backgrounds and geographic regions;
 greater diversity in coaching;
 greater exposure to junior high, high school, and sometimes even college
coaches;
 more opportunities to review and refine athletic skills so that they can
become mastered at an earlier age.
On the other hand, sport specialization can also come with a cost. Probably the biggest
concern with sport specialization is the increased risk for burnout and withdrawal, often
resulting in poor coping skills in response to the increased pressure and stress. Keep in
mind that the number one reason kids play sports is to have fun, and in cases of sport
specialization, it is easy to see that the enormous amount of time and energy devoted to
one sport can easily offset the fun and instead make the sport look more like a job and a
lot less like a recreational activity.
Other tradeoffs with sport specialization include:
 difficulties balancing the sport with school and other activities and social
responsibilities;
 missing critical periods to develop skills needed for other sports should
your child want to try different sports later;
 missing an opportunity to identify hidden talents your child might have
for another sport;
 being required to spend enormous amounts of time committed to your
child’s sport schedule – often resulting in altered or missed family
vacations.
Interestingly, some coaches think sport specialization actually hinders athletic
development, and that kids would be far better off sampling several different sports
throughout the year. The thinking is that different sports develop different skills,
muscles, and abilities, all leading the child to become a better, more complete.
It is becoming common knowledge that kids who specialize in one sport early in life
often end up having the inside track when it comes time to competing in junior high and
high school. Still, it is vitally important that you think the decision of sport specialization
through before making such a commitment.
———————–
Dr. Chris Stankovich, known as “The Sports Doc” for his segment on Ohio News Network
and featured column in Columbus Parent magazine, is a national expert in the field of
sport psychology and offers an entire line of peak performance educational training
products for student athletes, coaches, and parents. Please visit www.drstankovich.com
to learn more.

10 financial tips for young people
By Barbara Whelehan • Bankrate.com

8. Be prepared for the unexpected.Someday you may lose a job through no fault of your own. Prepare today by stashing money into an accessible emergency fund. The easiest way to do this is to automatically divert a portion of your earnings into a savings account in addition to the amount you’re contributing to a 401(k) plan or IRA.

Try not to use that 401(k) money for emergencies. It will cost you plenty, between income and penalty taxes. For instance, if you have $10,000 in your account and you’re in the 25-percent tax bracket, you’ll lose $2,500 to taxes, plus pay another $1,000 penalty for breaking into the money before you reach age 55. (For IRAs, the early withdrawal penalty applies up to age 59½, with certain exceptions.) Bottom line: Your $10,000 dwindles to $6,500. Worse, you will have lost the opportunity for that money to compound and build wealth for your retirement.

But don’t leave that money behind with the former employer either, lest you lose track of it. Instead, in a trustee-to-trustee transfer, roll it over into your new employer’s plan or into a rollover IRA.

9. Learn about investing or hire help. It’s not rocket science; in the beginning you just need to overcome fear and select one or two good, cheap mutual funds. Ask the human resources department for help with that. After you’ve amassed some wealth, it may be time to hire someone. If you do, you will obviously have to pay for the service. Get referrals and then check out the qualifications and credentials of a prospective financial adviser or broker.

Make sure you understand the fee structure of the services. Is it commission-based or do you pay an hourly fee or a percentage of assets or some combination of these fees? Ask for a complete breakdown. Also, check with the appropriate authority to see if any disciplinary actions have been taken against a certified financial planner or broker before you initiate contact. The Financial Planning Association’s Web site is a good starting point to search for a qualified planner.

10. Be thankful for your good fortune. It’s not all about money. If you work at it, you will have abundance — through strong family ties and solid relationships as well as monetary assets. Take some time out each day to reflect on the good in your life. Spend at least one day a week in a recreational activity or hobby that you enjoy, and take a minimum one-week vacation annually if you possibly can. My aunt Genie advises that you travel throughout your life, rather than waiting for retirement to do it. Again, save for the trip.

If you have children, spend as much time as you can with them when they’re still young and dependent on you. Before you know it, they’ll be old enough to get a driver’s license, and you’ll see less and less of them from that point on.

Longtime financial journalist Barbara Mlotek Whelehan earned a certificate of specialization in financial planning.

10 financial tips for young people
By Barbara Whelehan • Bankrate.com

4. Place a value on money.
It doesn’t buy happiness, but it can certainly make you comfortable. Just understand what it’s worth. Money is what you earn in exchange for your time in some productive pursuit. Let’s say you earn $20 an hour at your job, and you’re considering purchasing a TV for $500. You may calculate that you spend 25 hours, or about three days, earning that money. It’s worth it, you may think. But that’s not an accurate value estimate. If you’re single, you’re in the 25-percent tax bracket, so you actually spend about 33 hours earning the net income required to make the purchase. It still may be worth it, but there may be competing demands for that money, such as rent and car payments, not to mention your retirement fund. Each purchase represents a trade-off. Make these decisions wisely.

5. Use the credit card sparingly.
This tip is also really vital. Bankrate receives tons of letters from strapped consumers who regretfully overused their credit cards and now find themselves in really dire financial situations, some contemplating bankruptcy. It’s easy to spend now with plastic and much harder to pay later. Use credit responsibly. Comparison shop for your card. Remember that you’ll be relying on your future earnings to pay for today’s credit card purchases. And if you keep a running balance, you’ll also be paying interest, sometimes at usurious rates. Don’t fall into this trap. Instead: Save money to meet financial goals.

6. Follow the golden rule.
Contrary to popular belief, the duplicity and craftiness of Machiavellian tactics won’t really help you survive, but instead will engender mistrust in your relationships. Treat others fairly, the way you wish to be treated. No one looks good when trying to make others look bad. When you’re on the job, avoid gossip. Beware that when someone takes you into his or her confidence to point out someone else’s foibles, it’s only a matter of time before your foibles come to light. Always be honest in your dealings with others. Seek out the company of people who are positive and supportive of your efforts.

7. Select your partner wisely.
Choose someone whose values match your own — not just where money is concerned, but more importantly, ethical and moral values. Get to know your soul mate over the course of at least a year. Passion is important, but trust more so. Make sure you are free to be yourself. If you hook up with an angry or overly critical partner, you will be subjected to hostility and may lose your sense of self. Conversely, if you’re the one with anger issues, resolve them before they poison a perfectly good relationship.

10 financial tips for young people
By Barbara Whelehan • Bankrate.com

If I could go back in time, I would do certain things differently. I’m not saying I have a lot of regrets. But when I was younger, I tended to have myopic vision. For instance, it was hard to imagine that one day I would be older. Even today, sometimes I look in the mirror and wonder, who the hell is that?

I wish that, when I was younger, someone had sat me down and told me a few things. Or else I wish that I’d listened when someone attempted to do this.

If you’re young, take a seat and listen up. These gems will help you on your quest for financial success.

1. Go to college. You may want to do something that doesn’t require a college degree. For instance, you may dream of playing professional golf or running a barn and training horses. But give serious consideration to enrolling in college anyway. Yes, it’s a major investment, but if your parents are unable to help you pay for it, make it happen yourself, even if it means taking out loans. One way to save on costs: Go to a community college first; then transfer to a four-year university after two years.

It’s easier to get a degree when you’re young than when you have a home, family and all the adult responsibilities that go with these things. Your earnings potential increases significantly with a college degree — which will come in handy if your other dreams don’t materialize. Plus, you will likely experience a love of learning that you will never outgrow.

2. Find your purpose. If you’re having trouble figuring out what you want to do with your life, look within. You were born with certain talents and natural abilities. You know which subjects you excel in and which ones you struggle with. Choose a career that enables you to maximize your gifts in a way that fulfills you or helps others. As you grow, your career may change along with your desires. But for now, gravitate toward a field that feels like home.

3. Begin retirement planning with your first job. This tip is so important. If the company you work for offers a 401(k) plan, sign up at your first opportunity. If there’s no such plan, divert some of your paycheck into an IRA. Believe it or not, if you’re lucky, one day you’ll find you are older, so it’s best to be prepared. Setting up automatic contributions to either one of these retirement vehicles at a young age will help you build wealth painlessly.

Just as an example, let’s say you invest $200 a month beginning at age 25, and you earn 7 percent annually on that money. By the time you turn 65, you will have about $525,000 saved up. If you wait until you’re 35 to begin saving, assuming the same monthly investment and rate of return, you’ll have amassed less than half that amount — about $244,000. This illustration simply shows the impact that a 10-year head start can make on your savings, thanks to the magic of compounding.

*** Understand the significance of these tips and how they apply to your life. Stay tuned for more tips!

Bernie Kosar was drafted by the Cleveland Browns at age 21 and handed a multimillion-dollar contract, and as one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL in the 1980s and 1990s, he earned a fortune that should have lasted him several lifetimes. He also had a wife and four daughters, and a reputation as a family man.

But now he’s bankrupt and in the midst of a nasty divorce.

So what happened? Kosar says it’s really quite simple: He thought he was smart when he was in his 20s, and it’s only now, in his 40s, that he realizes he’s an idiot. Kosar tells Dan Le Batard of The Miami Herald: “I was 25 and everyone was telling me that I was the smartest; now I’m 45 and realize I’m an idiot,” he says. “I’m 45 and immature. I don’t like being 45.”As crazy as it sounds now, Kosar was once viewed as a huge success story in the business world, and as the model for how an athlete should invest his salary. He owned restaurants and bought and sold real estate, and that’s why, in his 20s, everyone told him how smart he was.

But much of Kosar’s money was tied up in the Florida real estate market that has now gone bust, and Kosar recently filed for bankruptcy and put his 9,900-square foot Florida mansion up for sale.

Former NFL quarterback Bernie Kosar recently filed for bankruptcy protection in Miami. Kosar’s Chapter 11 filing lists liabilities of between $10 million and $50 million.

Kosar says that he could always hire people to do things for him, or have his wife and four daughters do household chores, so he never learned the most basic of tasks, like doing his own laundry or running his dishwasher. Now his wife has left him in a divorce that cost him, he said, between $4 million and $5 million in legal fees.

Although it obviously took Kosar a couple of decades too long to come to the realization that he had a lot to learn, I think it’s refreshing that Kosar can admit his shortcomings and try to move on. Kosar may never again live the luxurious life he had in the 1990s, but he promises that he’s not finished, saying his approach to life will be like his approach to football: “I’m going to come out of this fine. I always get up.”

OTHER NOTABLE STAR ATHLETES – HARD LIFE LESSONS

Former Phillies and Mets star Lenny Dykstra said earlier this month that he’s more than $31 million in debt.

Stephen Dunn, Getty Images

Mets legend Jerry Koosman could face up to one year in prison after pleading guilty to federal tax evasion. Koosman defrauded the government out of as much as $90,000, assistant U.S. attorney John Vaudreuil said. Sentencing is set for July 21.

Rich Pilling, Getty Images

Michael Vick, once the NFL’s highest-paid player, is finishing a nearly two-year sentence under house arrest for dogfighting charges. He agreed to pay the Atlanta Falcons $6.5 million as part of his bankruptcy case, clearing the way for the team to release him.

Haraz N. Ghanbari, AP

Tennis legend John McEnroe was one of the many victims duped in a sophisticated $88 million art investment scam. McEnroe reportedly lost $2 million after investing a half share in two paintings, Arshile Gorky’s “Pirate I and II.”

Nathaniel S. Butler, NBAE / Getty Images

NFL running back Deuce McAllister allegedly owed Nissan more than $6.6 million in a dispute over his car dealership. In March, Nissan Motor Acceptance Corporation filed suit against McAllister’s dealership, and federal marshals reportedly targeted its inventory.

Bill Haber, AP

New York Yankees’ Johnny Damon and Xavier Nady were among the investors whose finances were previously frozen because of money they had with a company affiliated with Robert Allen Stanford.

Jim Rogash, Getty Images

In January, ex-slugger Jose Canseco battled against Danny Bonaduce in a boxing match because he’s strapped for cash and claims to have squandered nearly $45 million. Canseco also tried his hand at mixed martial arts in May, but lost his debut in embarrassing fashion to giant Korean fighter Hong Man Choi.

Louis Lanzano, AP

According to a Chicago Sun-Times report, Knicks center Eddy Curry was sued by Casual Male Retail Group in December 2008 for $41,000 in unpaid clothing bills.

Rocky Widner, NBA

In May, former Oakland Athletics first baseman Troy Neel pleaded guilty to charges that he fled to a tiny South Pacific island to avoid paying about $725,000 in child support for his kids in Texas. Neel now faces as much as two years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

Texas Attorney General / AP

POSITIVE ATTITUDE = POSITIVE ATHLETIC SUCCESS!

Christopher Stankovich, Ph.D.

Positive Attitude & Why It’s Important!

The attitude you choose each day (and it is a choice of yours 100% of the time) will make all the difference in the world when it comes to life success. Choose a positive attitude and your overall mood state will increase, as will your confidence level and ability to successfully interact with other people. On the other hand, choosing a negative attitude will put your mind in a depressed emotional state, often leading to poor motivation, poor communication skills with others, and in sports, this type of attitude usually results in a terrible disruption to the entire team.

While you don’t have much choice when it comes to how tall you will grow or how big your hands will become (or other biological traits), you do have a choice when it comes to attitude! Choose wisely each day and success will follow; on the other hand, keeping a negative attitude will push people away from you and prevent golden opportunities from ever developing.

Try to wake up each day and find at least one thing to be thankful for – then carry that positive attitude throughout the day and especially into your practices and games. When you develop a positive attitude, it will also spread to others as emotion is contagious, and a healthy team climate is always a good thing when it comes to team success!

Why a Positive Attitude Works

Today, we hear so much about negative “chemical imbalances” through television commercials pushing various anti-depressant medications. Interestingly, rarely do we hear about positive chemical exchanges in the brain that come as a result of having a positive attitude! When you decide to develop a positive attitude, neurotransmitters fire in the brain and send off various endorphins and other chemical reactions in your body that lead to many great things, including better confidence and self-esteem. What is so amazing about this is that attitude is always under your control, so when you think of it, so much of your personal wellness is really under your personal control. Get your mind and body in synchrony by making a promise to harness the power of positive thinking and take your game to a new level!

How to Develop a Positive Attitude

• Remember, attitude is a choice that only you can make. Positive attitude leads to a host of wonderful things for your mind and body, while a negative attitude will bring you down in every aspect of your life. Needless to say, choose wisely!

• While keeping a positive attitude may be challenging (what good things in life aren’t?), remember that you can always look to see the glass “half-full” instead of “half-empty.” There is usually a silver lining to most things in life if you look hard enough. For example, after a loss there are always important things you can learn in order to be better the next time you play.

• Your positive attitude will positively impact everyone on your team and allow your team to reach its highest levels. Unfortunately, your negative attitude can lead to the opposite occurring.

• Keeping a positive attitude does not mean you need to act “corny” and always get in your teammates faces about them being overly-positive. Just be yourself, smile, be friendly to others, and show interest in their endeavors and it is very likely your attitude will quickly rub off on them in a healthy and positive way.

Dr. Chris Stankovich is a national expert in the field of sport & performance psychology and has assisted thousands of athletes reach their full athletic potential. He is the Founder of Advanced Human Performance Systems, and is known as “The Sports Doc” for his weekly segment on Ohio News Network (ONN). Please visit www.drstankovich.com for exciting, easy-to-understand Peak Performance videos, audios, assessments, and feature articles! Enjoy today’s article? For a more detailed, downloadable mp3 audio file on this topic please visit www.drstankovich to learn more!

Plaxico Burress Appears Sincere, Contrite in CBS Interview

During CBS’ pregame Super Bowl coverage, they aired an interview with Plaxico Burress, which was conducted by his former head coach, Bill Cowher.

Burress has been in prison since September 2009 for criminal possession of a handgun — as he didn’t have a New York license for the firearm. He was sentenced to two years in prison after reaching a plea agreement in late August 2009.

During the interview, a somber Burress was apologetic, and he referred to his decision to carry a gun on the night of his accident as a “selfish decision.” He expressed to Cowher that he was sorry and was working on becoming a better man.

“I want to be a better brother, friend and then a football player” he told Cowher.

Burress also described a typical day and informed Cowher that he still works out about four times a week. He also spoke about missing his kids and getting to hold his daughter back on January 7. He said it felt like the morning of a Super Bowl when he woke up that day, knowing he’d get to hold her.

Burress, 32, has had four 1,000-yard receiving seasons and was one of the heroes of the New York Giants‘ upset of the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl just two seasons ago. He will presumably still be young enough to help an NFL team upon his release, assuming the NFL allows him back.

In terms of what Burress would tell his future teammates, should he find his way back onto an NFL team after his release?

“Don’t take anything for granted. We all have goals, dreams and aspirations. Just don’t take anything for granted.”

http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/02/07/plaxico-burress-appears-sincere-contrite-in-cbs-interview/?icid=main|hp-laptop|dl1|link5|http%3A%2F%2Fnfl.fanhouse.com%2F2010%2F02%2F07%2Fplaxico-burress-appears-sincere-contrite-in-cbs-interview%2F

Is sport failing our youth?

Sport itself is like an athlete with limitless potential, but in many ways sport is lacking the direction and foundation to sustain greatness. One key foundational block is education. Teachers spend nearly a quarter of their young adult life prepping to be certified and teach in the classroom. We entrust administrators and teachers to prosper the minds of our youth. Teachers are guided by years of practical knowledge, certifications tests, continuing education, student teaching and lesson plans. A focused and sensible path of preparation. Sport on the other hand, where children probably spend more time with their coach then a specific teacher, embraces a polar opposite standard. In sport we talk an excellent game of life skill development, but tell me… no show me how! I often observe ill tempered parents, uneducated coaches, tunnel visioned student-athletes and I question; how can sport do more?

Thus I answer my own question with an affirmative yes, sport is absolutely failing our children. Why? Because sport can do more. Much more.

This may seem very critical coming from an individual who has benefited tremendously from the fruits of organized sport. But, sport is much bigger than any one individual. I currently view sport bottled up in an ‘abstract world of intangibles’. Invaluable concepts such as, character, greatness, success, honor, sportsmanship etc. exist as broad and generalized concepts, but how do we go about achieving these glorious feats, how do we make them tangible, something real, something that changes sport and changes lives!

Welcome to the h Leadership

“The Zone” & why it is important!

As an athlete I’m sure you already know about being “in the zone” and how awesome you play when you are locked into that magical mindset that allows your mind and body to be in synchrony – often resulting in some of your best games!  The “zone” is known by psychologists as being in “flow,” or when you experience the optimal psychological mindset.  Being in flow (or the zone) is when your focus is locked in, your attention span is directed and on-task, your motivation level is high, and your energy level is at a peak state.

When athletes learn how to get their minds into the zone, the result is efficient, often effortless movement and play – resulting in fewer mistakes and more peak athletic performances. In fact, some athletes have even told me they felt like they “couldn’t miss even if they tried to!”

The zone is not something magical, but instead comes about by taking control of your athletic training, being motivated to succeed, matching up against challenging competition (not too easy or too difficult), and perhaps most importantly moderating your arousal level while playing (i.e. calming down when you are nervous, and pumping up a little when you feel flat).

Why “The Zone” works

Quite simply, the zone works because it allows you to play the way you know how to and with a high level of intensity.  Being in the zone also means you are “playing to win with great confidence, and are far less likely to “choke” during critical game situations! When you are not in the zone, it becomes much easier to get caught up in things that can beat up your confidence – like worrying about what people are thinking of you or even the bad game you had earlier in the week!

How to use “The Zone”

• First, it is vitally important that you compete against talent that is roughly the same as your own.  Research studies show when we compete against easy competition we often get bored, and with too advanced competition we are likely to get overly-frustrated.  The key is to play against challenging competition that will push you to become the best you can be!
• Journal notes about the times when you felt you were in the zone (the best time is immediately after a game or practice where this occurred).  Try to look for patterns that are happening that may be helping you get in the zone – for example, maybe listening to that one favorite song moments before games has been helping put you in a really good emotional state and has helped get you in the zone.
• You must be focused on the task at-hand at all times and truly believe in yourself in order to get into the zone.  Since it is quite likely you will sometimes get nervous during games, you must learn a skill (or two) that will help you relax when the pressure is high.  Taking 2-3 really deep, cleansing breaths into your stomach is one sure-fire way to help!
• Love what you do!  Research shows we are far more likely to get into the zone when we are intrinsically motivated (meaning we compete for the love of competing, not because somebody else wants us to).

Dr. Chris Stankovich is a national expert in the field of sport & performance psychology and has assisted thousands of athletes reach their full athletic potential.  He is the Founder of Advanced Human Performance Systems, and is known as “The Sports Doc” for his weekly segment on Ohio News Network (ONN).  Please visit www.drstankovich.com for exciting, easy-to-understand Peak Performance videos, audios, assessments, and feature articles!

Enjoy today’s article?  For a more detailed, downloadable mp3 audio file on this topic please check out MIND OF STEEL premium audio: