How Novak Djokovic's How to Serve Book Taught Me How to Win?
I definitely don't consider myself to be a tennis fan. Personally and honestly, that's probably one of the most boring sports in the world. I used to think, this so-called sport is worth watching only because gorgeous Russian girls in white. Yet, Novak Djokovic managed to change all that. This tennis maniac and miracle maker left with no choice than to read more about him and his incredible story. Little did I know that so many things I learned from him, I could successfully implement in both my life and business.
Read only one-half of the book!
Let's say that there are four parts of this book: life, tennis, food, and mind. I already shared my "fascination" with this game. So, you don't have to guess what happened to this chapter of the book in my hands, do you? This also includes very interesting and important gluten-free chapter, which was completely irrelevant for my personal situation. However, rest assured that chapters about his life and especially about his mental preparation for tennis matches were literally mind-blowing.
When it comes to Novak Djokovic's early life explained thoroughly in his How to Serve book, I have to say the following. This guy reinvented the term "underdog." To succeed against all odds phrase is an insult for this guy. Imagine the worst possible place on this planned to be born and grow up. Here's a list of ingredients for this hell's kitchen favorite meal called - no perspectives for youngsters. You take UN sanctions and mixed it thoroughly with a civil war. For the ultimate flavor, you need to add a post-communist transitional society rich the vitamins, such as corruption and criminal. To spice things up, literally, let's add some extreme poverty and collapsing infrastructure, health, and educational system. Finally, what's life without some good old NATO bombing, right?
When I think of all these premium moments of Djokovic's life and childhood, I feel bad about myself for whining and demanding better chances to succeed in life. There was a kid in a godforsaken land with nothing more than an iron desire to play tennis. You shouldn't also forget that the world of tennis was "delighted" to acknowledge a new champion coming from a country with a "shiny" reputation after the bloody ex-Yugoslavian conflict and NATO intervention. Yet, against all odds and tennis gods, Djokovic managed to steal quite a few hearts all over the world.
After reading this book, I decided to change something about my approach. This is the main reason I keep asking myself the same question over and over again, when I fail. What's your excuse? Really, what's your excuse?
The Mind of Steel
Djokovic is both a record holder and breaker, at the same time. Yet, what he did as a finalist of the Australian Open a couple of years ago, is simply insane. His final match with Rafael Nadal is officially the longest match in the history of Grand Slam tennis matches. Five hours and 53 minutes. Can you play your favorite game or watch your favorite movies that long? And you think that you just had a bad day at work or in the office? Well, think again. This guy must have a nuclear reactor in his chest. I try to imagine what must go through his mind while he plays for six hours. His book helped me realized that the fact you have the hands and legs of a warrior won't help you do a thing, unless you don't have a mind of a warrior.
It was a simple old truth, Djokovic presented in a new way. Before playing an official match in front of the audience, he has to win the one, which is more private and important. He admits that he plays matches with his fears and doubts every single day, before every single competition. If you can manage to visualize a victory inside your mind, then your opponent doesn't stand a chance. When you put it like this is sounds very simple and even trivial. However, what makes Djokovic's book stand apart from the self-proclaimed gurus is an ability to prove his theories with his own personal example. We should all agree that this isn't something you see every day around you.
I still don't like tennis, but I enjoy winning
One single book can't change your life and bring you a fortune. However, it can help you find a missing piece of your personal and professional puzzle to achieve all of your goals. Novak Djokovic didn't care about what history, background, or statistics have to say about his chances for a success. He obviously said to himself, this is something I will do, and the rest is history.
Read only one-half of the book!
Let's say that there are four parts of this book: life, tennis, food, and mind. I already shared my "fascination" with this game. So, you don't have to guess what happened to this chapter of the book in my hands, do you? This also includes very interesting and important gluten-free chapter, which was completely irrelevant for my personal situation. However, rest assured that chapters about his life and especially about his mental preparation for tennis matches were literally mind-blowing.
When it comes to Novak Djokovic's early life explained thoroughly in his How to Serve book, I have to say the following. This guy reinvented the term "underdog." To succeed against all odds phrase is an insult for this guy. Imagine the worst possible place on this planned to be born and grow up. Here's a list of ingredients for this hell's kitchen favorite meal called - no perspectives for youngsters. You take UN sanctions and mixed it thoroughly with a civil war. For the ultimate flavor, you need to add a post-communist transitional society rich the vitamins, such as corruption and criminal. To spice things up, literally, let's add some extreme poverty and collapsing infrastructure, health, and educational system. Finally, what's life without some good old NATO bombing, right?
When I think of all these premium moments of Djokovic's life and childhood, I feel bad about myself for whining and demanding better chances to succeed in life. There was a kid in a godforsaken land with nothing more than an iron desire to play tennis. You shouldn't also forget that the world of tennis was "delighted" to acknowledge a new champion coming from a country with a "shiny" reputation after the bloody ex-Yugoslavian conflict and NATO intervention. Yet, against all odds and tennis gods, Djokovic managed to steal quite a few hearts all over the world.
After reading this book, I decided to change something about my approach. This is the main reason I keep asking myself the same question over and over again, when I fail. What's your excuse? Really, what's your excuse?
The Mind of Steel
Djokovic is both a record holder and breaker, at the same time. Yet, what he did as a finalist of the Australian Open a couple of years ago, is simply insane. His final match with Rafael Nadal is officially the longest match in the history of Grand Slam tennis matches. Five hours and 53 minutes. Can you play your favorite game or watch your favorite movies that long? And you think that you just had a bad day at work or in the office? Well, think again. This guy must have a nuclear reactor in his chest. I try to imagine what must go through his mind while he plays for six hours. His book helped me realized that the fact you have the hands and legs of a warrior won't help you do a thing, unless you don't have a mind of a warrior.
It was a simple old truth, Djokovic presented in a new way. Before playing an official match in front of the audience, he has to win the one, which is more private and important. He admits that he plays matches with his fears and doubts every single day, before every single competition. If you can manage to visualize a victory inside your mind, then your opponent doesn't stand a chance. When you put it like this is sounds very simple and even trivial. However, what makes Djokovic's book stand apart from the self-proclaimed gurus is an ability to prove his theories with his own personal example. We should all agree that this isn't something you see every day around you.
I still don't like tennis, but I enjoy winning
One single book can't change your life and bring you a fortune. However, it can help you find a missing piece of your personal and professional puzzle to achieve all of your goals. Novak Djokovic didn't care about what history, background, or statistics have to say about his chances for a success. He obviously said to himself, this is something I will do, and the rest is history.
Cheers, Laurence.
Writer/Editor/Proofreader.