13 WAYS TO REMAIN POSITIVE

1. Stop saying, “I can’t.” If you hear it too often, you’ll start believing it. Instead, say, “I’ll try my hardest,” or, “I’ll do my best.” 
2. Don’t make excuses. Whether you speak them out loud or simply keep them to yourself, don't make excuses!
3. Don’t be a victim. Hosting a pity party and hoping people will feel sorry for you won’t make things better. The world is not against you. Have the mindset of a winner.
4. Learn from your mistakes. Thinking positively doesn’t mean you should block out all negativity. We all make mistakes—we have to, to get better and to improve as human beings. Learn from them. Reflect on how the situation could have been handled differently and adjust accordingly. 
5. Visualize your success. Lebe Deine Vision. Live your vision.... before you draw up a plan you got to see it though!
6. Sit up! Slouching is bad for your posture and your attitude. 
7. Help someone else. Often times, we get too wrapped up in our own stuff. Volunteer somewhere and extend a hand to someone who might need a boost. You will be amazed at how helping others helps you. 
8. Send someone a thank you note. Be grateful for the people in your life and the ways they help you become a better human being. 
9. Go somewhere new. Explore things you’ve never noticed before. Venture down a new walking path, eat at a new restaurant, visit an art gallery. 
10. Smile. Just smile–even if it is for no reason at all. It's contagious and laughing is the best medicine.
11. Fill your vocabulary with words of success, strength, encouragement, motivation and optimism. 
12. Assume the best. Don’t go into a project with a negative mindset, convinced you will fail. "If you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right".
13. Give yourself a pat on the back. Find things that you are awesome at!!!

DO WHAT YOU LIKE

I've been blessed to be a part of a book this year called "Dreampions" which is about people who have reached their personal dreams. It is a compilation of short articles written by people who share their individual stories on how they personally got to grab their dreams and chase them until they caught them.

I finally received the book this week and have been reading through it, enjoying one story at a time. It is so interesting to read about different people of different background and in different paths of life, who all are dreaming their dreams. 

Henry Wedell, one of the editors of this books says this:

Background is that Verena and I always liked to "give back" via projects that were not directly linked to our profession as Finance experts. This time, we embarked on a project on the topic of "live dreams". We started off by asking people who had fulfilled their individual life dreams, if they were willing to tell their stories in a book. Their reaction was overly positive and now our book is filled with 25 stories from prominent and not-prominent people that have made it to their dream jobs, moved to or visited dream locations or fulfill their dreams by helping those in need. Amongst others, there is an Olympic rowing gold medal winner, a former NHL-Pro, a former WNBA-Pro who now works with girls in her hometown, Europe's most successful game developer, the European speaking champion, ... and people who moved to the US and even China to fulfill their dreams.

Important was for us to highlight that rewarding dreams are not so much about material possessions but about experiences, growth and helping others. Therefore, we have a dedicated chapter with people who achieve their dreams by helping others to fulfill theirs (e.g. a development supporter working with the poor in Africa, the R&D leader of the worlds biggest company for mobility prothetics and a German TV-moderator who is the country's UNICEF ambassador. The preface for the book is by the CEO of "Welthungerhilfe", the large German-based company who prevents people in Africa from starvation.

Even though the stories are very individual and different, the way to success appears to be be very similar most of the time. 

I loved how Juliane Wurm, a German World Champion in climbing put it. She said, "In athletics and in many other areas of life a cycle exists: when you really love doing something, there is a higher motivation for practicing it. When you practice a lot, success follows. And when you are successful, you really enjoy doing it.... and the cycle is back at the start." Words of wisdom for our #WisdomWednesday from a young athlete who has proven to be the best in her sport in the whole wide world!!!

I want to challenge you this week to identify what you love to do. How can that be integrated into your daily life? Do you have to make some sacrifices, or changes in your life to live your dream with all that it entails every day?

P.S.: You can purchase it on Amazon in Kindle or paperback versions

FACTS ABOUT COLLEGE AND THE PROS!

This past weekend the Fro13 Highschool teams started off their season at the 5th annual Linda Fröhlich Invitational (LFI). It’s the season of hard work, extra grinding, high hopes and unfortunately lots of misleading guidance.

I am shocked to see the false information or fluffy realities that are being sold to young athletes and their families, which in turn lead into unrealistic goals and expectations- and can then quickly turn into a nightmare for any Highschool coach in the upcoming season. A vicious cycle has started spinning, and most of the time won't stop spinning until it is too late, or a lot of time (and money) gets wasted with chasing hot air.
Let’s look at some stats to get a clearer understanding of what I am talking about.

In 2013-14 there were 433,344 active female Highschool basketball players and only 3.8% made it onto a college roster. That resulted in approx. 16319 active NCAA players.

 
After 2% of Highschool athletes are awarded some form of athletic scholarships, it is actually as little as 1% of women's basketball players who will receive full-ride scholarships.That means out of 16319 active NCAA women's basketball players in 2014 only 163 received full scholarships.
After college athletics are done, 0.9% of female college players will then get drafted into the WNBA… and even there the drafted players, except maybe the top 10 players, have no guarantee on actually making an actual WNBA roster that year.

(Use your due diligence and check the facts if you don't believe me!)

With that being said:
I believe that it is important that we as role models and leader in the lives of these young women have to focus on supporting their dreams but also on giving them a real picture of the road ahead (and all the work, sacrifice, etc. that come with it).

We need to encourage them to reach for the stars in the basketball sky, yet inspire them to become well rounded young ladies who can conquer the world with values and skills they acquired through the sport of basketball.

And while only a few may make it to the "Big Time", everyone should "Be Big Time"!

ASSESSING A RECRUIT'S PARENT

Building a basketball academy has been challenging in ways that I could've never expected. I thought it would be as simple as teaching a girl how to shoot a lay up or footwork on defense, but it has been a lot more complex than that. As a competitor, I DO LOVE THE CHALLENGE that comes with it. Dealing and communicating with parents of the athletes has been a big part of my daily job now. I thought that this video was very interesting and I wanted to share it with everyone. I am not sure how many parents are aware of this ‪#‎foodforthought‬

COMING TO VEGAS

Hello everyone,

wow. It's been a looooong time... and there's so much catching up to do... unfortunately today I don't have the time to even start... but I am going to try my best to get things up and going again by the beginning of next week... that's a promise *gulp* and I hate breaking promises!

This is what's going on this weekend. There's a Rebel Reunion in town, and I am going to be there... finally! After nine long years of playing overseas during this time of the year, I finally have a chance to come back and support my UNLV Lady Rebels.

Below you can find the information for the schedule of events on Saturday.

I would like to encourage as many of you to bring your children to the free clinic... it will be a lot of fun!!!

And of course to all those you haven't been to a Rebel game yet... COME ON OUT and say hi!!!

I've missed my Vegas family and am looking forward to seeing everyone again.

Hope to see you there!! Go Rebels.

Schedule of Events for Saturday, November 19th

1-2:30pm      Lady Rebel Tune-up Clinic (All boys and girls in grades 2-8 are encouraged to attend this free clinic.)

2-2:45pm      Alumnae Pre-game Reception

3:00pm         Lady Rebel Tipoff vs. San Jose State

Halftime       Lady Rebel Alumnae Introductions

Post-game    Lady Rebel Alumnae & Current Lady Rebels Autograph Session

IF YOU ARE FROM THE SEATTLE AREA....

...please go out and support my friend Melissa Erickson and her fight against ALS.
Unfortunately I wont' be able to  make it, but IF YOU CAN please go... it's for a great cause, and for a great woman!!!!!!

It's the RING AROUND THE NEEDLE PUB CRAWL EVENT

Date: Saturday, August 27 at 1 - 5pm. Check-in begins at 11:30am.

Check-in location: Jabu's parking lot in Lower Queen Anne on Roy between 2nd & Warren (map).
Check-in time: Check-in and day-of registration begins at 11:30 a.m. on August 27th. The pub crawl is from 1 to 5 pm.

For mo' information CLICK HERE

SUMMER TIME... AND THE LIVIN' IS EEEEEASY

Hello to everyone.
I just wanted to check in and tell everyone that I am doing well... just enjoying the summer. I haven't been back on my blog for a while, but I am planning to be back more frequently soon, so please keep checking back in and thanks in the first place for even reading this.

At the moment I am coaching some kids in the Fytt League of Corona, and what initially started as a volunteer job has now turned into an all out commitment. The boys (6-7 years old) have conquered my heart with their joy for life and their excitement about basketball.

My team, the LAVA EAGLES are practicing once a week and on Saturday we usually have a game... today we had our third game of the season and so far we can show for 3 "W"s :) Go Lava Eagles.

One of my next blogs will be about the Fenerbahce Fans. Somebody requested it on my facebook page and I am going to make sure to write about it soon. If you want me to blog about something, just let me know :)

being silly

time out.... what is Coach Linda yapping about now? ;)

I think I've always underestimated the emotional side of a coach... it's tough being on the sideline.

Freethrows for the Lava Eagles.... it's a contact sport ;)