Believe in yourself all the way

 I've decided it's time to challenge myself with a new concept.

 I believe in myself, I'm confident in my work ethic and my ability to make good things happen, exceed expectations, and make the most out of situations. This is the way we all should be. If you work hard, put up hundreds of shots, and put the time into your game, you should be confident in your ability to hit shots in the game. It's a simple concept, I preach it, I believe in it.

 But, we all come up a little short, because sometimes a little sliver of doubt is still there, in the back of our minds. You know, that little bit of nervousness, that, "what if I don't win" that creeps in at the last second.

 For me, I've gone into situations with that disease, and now it's time to change. I've learned that one sign of maybe, one sign of what if, is noticeable in my performance with the task at hand. Total self confidence has to be the goal. 99% doesn't get the job done in a close game. I can name occasions where I've been 99%, and that 1% of questioning myself made the difference. The best have to be able to admit their mistakes, it's part of the process.

 Being able to admit that you've made a mistake though is the first step in fixing the problem. You have to live for the big games, the huge moments, and sometimes those moments can bring with them that anxiety, that uncertainty. So now that you know there's an issue, you have to work to fix it.

 Trust your preparation, in anything you do in life. If you aren't prepared, you invite windows for error. That's about as simple as it gets. You have to prepare as best you can, and in some situations, preparing is not easy. Still, I say approach every challenge, every interview, every game, with the attitude that I am going to succeed because I am best suited for success. That doesn't mean you're the most experienced or anything, but you have to know you will get the job done, you were born for this and now is your time.

 Life's full of challenges and obstacles, and a lot of those come from outside sources. We need not create any for ourselves. Take the challenge on yourself to bring light to that dark corner of doubt in the back of your head. In this journey toward success, we must commit to ourselves fully, prepare for the best and worst of what that journey offers, bounce back, and overcome adversity. Don't be the source of your own downfalls. Promise yourself that you will buy into all that you have to offer, 100%. Work harder, fight on, and live in your own reality, because more often than not, those who have the strongest reality often win the day.

 #Eyesforward
- TP
@travisponton on twitter----follow

The struggle

 This is my outlet. I don't get on here and write fiction. The things you see on here are more often than not based on what I'm dealing with. Writing about it is not just a way to motivate others, but it's kind of my way to talk myself through it as well.

 We all have bad days. Every once in a while we go through our own struggles. Sometimes your shot just isn't falling. Albert Pujols goes 100 at bats without a home run, and it makes headlines. Think about that, a great hitter goes a few weeks without one homer and it's all over ESPN. Wow, my problems aren't half that bad. At least this slump of mine isn't on the world stage, right?

 I've used this baseball analogy before, and like Pujols, I step back up to the plate and keep swinging. Pujols must trust his skill, the talent he's developed after putting in the work, and he knows he'll hit another home run. This time next week, it'll be old news. Your struggles are the same in that regard. You'll have better days ahead, shots will start falling, all will be well.

 Remember, not everything that happens is in your control. Sometimes you work and work, and you are deserving, and someone else, in charge of making a decision, doesn't choose you. We've all been overlooked, we've all been judged and found to be a runner up. Other times, someone else decides they want to let you down.

 Reminder to myself, only you can control what kind of day you have. Only you can let someone else affect your mood and your view on your own life. Outside perspectives are important, but consider the source. There are haters everywhere who have no clue about you, what you've been through, or what success is. But only when you know success yourself will you find that these people really bug you if you let them.

 How you react to struggle says a lot about your character. It's ok to take offense, taking offense shows you care. Don't take crap from anybody, ANYBODY. I'm a firm believer that only God can judge me, or any of us for that matter. Keep in mind that it's not crap automatically. Some people, including myself, sometimes struggle in filtering the constructive messages from the garbage. Like I said, consider the source. The best feedback, good or bad, comes from individuals who care about you and have earned your respect. Strangers, outsiders, etc. don't fall into that category. There's a difference in those who want you to get better and those who think they can judge.

 We learn from our struggles, because we know that one day this same obstacle might present itself again. Tomorrow, you wake up, work harder, and focus on your goals. You can't let a struggle linger and keep you down. If all you can think about is the last shot you missed, you won't make the next one. Be angry at the struggle, be focused on overcoming it, and be ready for what happens next.

 Trust yourself that you'll make the right decisions, with doing the right thing in the forefront of your mind first, and working toward accomplishing your goals right behind. Stay confident, because you've faced much greater challenges than this, and you're better now because of it. Live in your own reality, because in your reality, no struggle lasts forever. Bring it on, I'm tougher than that.

twitter: @travisponton

-TP

2013, the action movie that will be your life

 New Years may be my favorite holiday.

 I avoid the cliches as much as possible, but the whole concept that we have a chance to make resolutions, start fresh, renew, refresh, and refocus is a great thing. I'm a believer. It's a magical thing.

   My 2012 was probably like yours in the sense that it had its ups and downs. I made decisions, learned, won, lost, enjoyed life, fought through adversity, and worked hard. I started some great new relationships with all sorts of people, while always remembering the people I'll never see again. I won an Emmy Award, and for my troubles I was set free and future endeavored instead of getting the opportunity and promotion I deserved.

 But you know what, I'm in a better place than I was in a year ago, and I'm very blessed. 2012: Mission Accomplished.

 You don't read this to hear my life's history, so let's just get down to my broad, bold resolution for 2013, one that holds true for anyone to take and apply to their own struggles and daily grind.

 It's simple, in 2013, stop talking about it and go get it. Be greater everyday, and be prepared for the opportunities that hard work will get you.

 So many of us deserve better. Better _________, you fill that in yourself, based on where you are in your life right now. In 2013, realize that you deserve more. Stop wasting time and effort, when you know there's nothing ahead but a dead end.

 It's scary, if you think about it, how much you wasted in 2012. How much money did you spend that you could've saved? How much time did you waste when you could have been productive? How much effort did you waste trying to keep a sinking ship afloat?

 We live and learn, and we're better for it. In 2013, waste less, and invest more into yourself. Wake up every morning with a plan to be great, a plan to be the best at whatever it is you do. Opportunities lie ahead, if you seek them. Not everything is in your realm of control, but your effort and preparation is.

 Celebrating New Year's Eve last night in DC with so many great friends and brothers really put a lot into perspective. Carrying this momentum forward is the key. New Year's is perhaps the most wonderful time of the year. The process is the same in 2013. You succeed because you're great, you're great because you work the hardest. Focus your energy, waste less, and take what you want. Take action. Live in your own reality. You deserve more in this year.

 In the words of a great spokesman, "Stay thirsty my friends." Cheers to 2013.

TP