what a match!

Nadal actually jumped the fence at the end to congratulate his countryman and awesome opponent Verdasco at the end.

Awesome serve, all night long.

The moment of defeat and victory, between colleagues, countrymen, and mates. Incidentally, the umpire did not move from his chair for the whole 5 hour 14 minute game (plus breaks). Does he wear one of those space diapers??

Nike - why can't you make some undies for Rafa so they don't cralw up his clacker? Surely you have the technology!

Me and Rob in the heat, excited for our first trip to Rod Laver arena.

It was awesome - 5hours 14 minutes of pure slug fest and brilliant tennis. Nadal and Verdasco gave an outstanding performance.

It was amazing on three levels:

1. Two awesome athletes committed 100% to the moment and delivering their absolute best (when was the last time you felt like that?)

2. The power of focused energy from the crowd to lift their players from exhaustion to brilliance.

3. Celebration of excellence, regardless of outcome.

It was magic.

This is one of Nadal's key strengths - he is always saying that his only goals are always the same: keep improving his tennis and do his best. His definition of success is very internally driven, and this is why he dominates Federer.

Federer (my favourite), lets his mind get away with him - he attache far too much meaning to his wins and records and his standing in tennis history - it cramps his energy. That's why he missed so many shots and his serve was off at the Final - his thoughts created conflicting energy.

It was painful to watch.

He really needs me a coach - not for tennis technique, but for self belief and thought and energy management.

If you're in the know with Fed, send him my way.

Roger Federer: Using the Law of Attraction Secret of Contrast

First of all, let's just clear up some basics. You guys know that there is no such thing as 'using' the Law of Attraction. It's a permanent law, just like gravity: vibration is attracted to like vibration. That's it. I love simple.

People keep thinking Law of Attraction is something you 'do'.

You don't.

What you DO do is use your power of focus and your energetic vibration to get in resonance with what you want so you attract it more quickly and effectively.

Great, now on to Roger Federer and his recent US Open win. Yay Fed!

I've been following the Great Man closely for years, being one of the inspirations that kept me focused and positive during my cancer treatment in 2005.

This year when he started to falter with his tennis results lots of people felt he was on the downward slide, over the hill, fully cooked and so on.

Not so.

He had just lost his mojo. He was out of resonance with what he enjoyed the most - playing good tennis. He'd forgotten what it's like to play brilliant tennis, for the simple pleasure of feeling in the flow.

This is what Nadal has had up on him this year and I've written about it here.

So Federer has just experienced the powerful opportunity of CONTRAST. This is an Abraham-Hicks term for 'a crappy situation that you don't like.'

Contrast works this way: it shows you in graphic and uncomfortable terms what you DON'T WANT, thereby pointing the way to what you DO want. This creates an energetic pull forward towards your new desire that has you grow and expand (as long you keep focusing and feeling the vibration of the new desire. Therein lies the rub of manifestation).

Ok so how does this work on the tennis court in the Grand Slams?

Roger was knocked off his perch of number 1 for the first time in a donkey's age. This created some strong contrast for him (i.e. it sucked, he did not like it, and set up a burning fire to come back firing on all cylinders).

Roger focused on two things:
1. Loving the feeling of being in the flow, of playing gracefully, with precision shots, in top gear.
2. Winning his 5th US Open (and how sweet that would feel after such a crappy contrast-filled year).

You could see this energy pumping him up each game. The taste of victory was palpable and certain for him.

Just as Andy Murray's nerves and self-doubt in the final were obvious to all.

The other thing to highlight here is how you did not hear Federer talking about how it sucked to be number two, or how he hated losing so much. It is always about the feeling of playing good tennis, and improving his game, and aiming forward, not navel gazing backward to past games. No 'coulda', 'woulda', 'shoulda' from Fed. It's always, NEXT!

'Contrast' (stuff you don't like) creates a catalyst for what you do want. Your job then is to focus your thoughts and feelings on nothing but what you desire - relishing the taste, smell, feel, site and delight of what that means for you.

So the good news for you: if you find yourself in a situation that feels yucko, like you've just been fired, or your new partner turns out to be a smoker, or the business deal you thought was sweet turns out to be a chore, then focus on what it's showing about what you do want.

Imagine that, feel that, live that.

Contrast - I know it's a turd wrapped in gold paper, but focus on the gold paper!

Happy Birthday Roger Federer and other happenings August 8 2008

Yup it's my favourite sportsman's birthday today.

How do I remember this?

It's also three years to the day since I had my last chemotherapy treatment. When they unhooked the last bag of chemo fluid, I felt like I was walking out in to the wilderness. I had to reinvent myself, my life, and my attitude to living in the new reality of Someone Who Has Had Cancer.

Every day has been such a blessing, such a journey of discovery.

In fact, it was not my last re-vamp, my last re-invention - I find myself continually discovering new aspects of me, my life, and my business.

And now is the perfect time to do this all over again!

Three years since chemo, Roger's birthday, and the Olympics...it's time for something new.

So I'm having a "08 08 08 It's great! Re-vamp Sale"

I'm clearing out some products, re-vamping others, and introducing some new ones - all a reflection of the changing me!

Check it out here.

If you're not in a the mood to get a bargain Law of Attraction product, then make sure you do this:

Take a moment to be grateful you are alive. Every day is a good day above ground.

To your health and success,

Zoe

What does Roger Federer want?

Rafael Nadal revealed in a recent interview after notification he would finally bump Federer off his #1 perch: "I feel pretty much the same as I did yesterday. Each day that I get up, I just want to improve my tennis game."

Rafa's got it all sewn up. You can see it in the way he plays each and every tennis game - he is hungry to grow and improve. Not just to become #1, but to better his best, all the time. He is addicted to the process, not just the outcomes.

And what of the Fed? The man has been an incredible performer for years now. A true artist with his tennis skills, outperforming and outranking everyone for over five years.

But what does he want? To be number one for five more years? To take out Pete Sampras's record Grand Slam wins? It all seems to have lost meaning for Federer. He lacks the crazed passion that Rafa is gifting us with. He didn't even cry at this Wimbledon defeat. Where has his passion gone?

Federer has discovered that winning doesn't make you happy. (And losing doesn't help much either!)

All his trophies, all his accolades gathering dust in his trophy room won't bring him nirvana.

But shouldn't it? Shouldn't we feel blessed and elated if we too reach the top of our game?

Nope. Nada. Nyet.

There will always be another mountain to climb. And when you've climbed all the mountains, what next? You've got nothing left to prove.

If you've got 'needing to climb mountains' and 'needing to prove yourself 'as your raison d'etre, then you are on a fast track to disappointment.

And that's what's happened to Roger Federer. He's got nothing left to prove - to himself, to his fans, and certainly not to his sponsors. He already has a lifetime sponsorship from Nike. Lifetime.

What we're seeing in Roger's recent fumbling is a man who has discovered that his happiness recipe doesn't make sense. Trophies, titles, millions of dollars - they do not make a happy life.

If, like Rafa, Roger can bring his focus back to the joy of the game, to the pure delight in the process of improving and fine-tuning his skills, he may just rekindle his spark. And we may see him winning again. At least his twinkling smile would be nice to see once more.

It is only in appreciation of the process of obtaining goals that we lead a magical life. Yup - it's that ole cliche - the journey makes the destination all the more sweet.

If not, then it is my sincere wish that Roger finds his groove elsewhere - as a chef, or teacher, or writer, or whatever!

Life is too short to swallow the bitter pills of disappointment in a happiness game with rules where you can never win.

Fed - you still rock my world - champion title or not.

Roger Federer needs a coach

Ok the Big Fed seems to be down and out...he has lost the last three Slams - Australian Open, French Open, and the latest defeat at Wimbledon.

Last year, Roger seemed to have it all going on - he was using the secret, and making a space for him to be fulled forward - the gap on his gym bag just waiting for the 5th win to be placed on it, the elegant suit that set him apart as a true gentleman champion...

So what's going on now for Fed?

You can see it on his face.

Now truly, the man is incredibly talented. No one stays at number one for 250+ weeks without being at least pretty good.

However, he's lost the valued perspective of someone who can look at him with detachment, who can put the mirror up, who can show him where he can grow and where he can express passion and truth once more.

More than that. Roger needs to free his mind, align his beliefs and feelings with his true desire, and walk forward in faith, letting go of the doubts.

If you've got his number, send him my way...

I know EXACTLY how to help him change beliefs and get his groove back. This is the stuff I do every day in my wildly popular program the Three Pillars of Personal Power.

The formula? Beliefs, emotional vibration, powerful focus, and environments. AND letting go in faith.

Roger - I'm waiting for your call...

Have you got the potential?

I love tennis. I love watching it (especially el maestro Roger Federer). I love to try and play it too. Sadly, I lack skill and talent in this department. My friend Roger (not Federer!) witnessed my struggle and gallantly bought me a tennis lesson as a belated birthday present.

I was nervous of making a fool of myself and being judged harshly by the tennis pro. Boy, old habits die hard! I shrugged this delusion off by remembering that a coach wants you to do well. He is there to help you improve, not to mock you. Besides, if he thinks I'm a loser, that's his business! Nothing I can do about it ;)

After gathering my nerves and courage along with my tennis racket, I trundled off for some enlightenment on the court.

Daniel was a seasoned pro in handling gumbies. My wild hits did not phase him, not even when they went over the fence to the parking lot.

It wasn't all disaster. I've actually got quite nice top spin on my forehand. I even hit an ace on one of my serves! How cool is that?!

That's when I knew it. I have potential. If I can hit one good shot, I can hit many.

So what stops me from being consistent?

First, I need knowledge of what puts together a good shot. This is what the coach offers: understanding of the mechanics and physics of body-racket-ball connection that delivers winners. Plus he can see what I can't. When I throw the ball up for a serve, I have no idea what my feet are doing. A coach has perspective. It's so much easier with help.

Second, the belief it's possible. How do we get belief in possibilities when it has never been done before? How did NASA determine it was possible to fly a man to the moon when no one else had done it? They simply chose to believe. That's it. Faith is a choice. If humans can fly to the moon, surely I can improve my tennis game.

Third, re-wiring old patterns with new ones. When Daniel showed me a better grip on the racket, it felt uncomfortable and unnatural. I stubbornly sneaked it back to the old familiar grip which felt 'right'. Surprise, surprise when the balls continued to hit the net or fly out of bounds. When I tried it his way, the shots landed perfectly. They felt good. They felt right.

There's always that moment of resistance when we let go of old patterns and embrace new ones: they feel awkward, strange, and cumbersome. It's in these moments we are tempted to fall back in to what we know because it's comfortable, rather than have faith and persist, even if we know the results are mediocre the old way.

If we do manage to persist with the discomfort and work at the new way, we discover something glorious: the thrill of hitting that perfect shot. There's no denying it - when you hit the ball right and the racket sounds with a juicy twang, it feels soooo good. There's no going back after that. It's written in your bones: you have the potential for winner after winner. Your body knows the sweet spot, you just need to follow through.

My tennis lesson was such a perfect metaphor: if you want new results, get help, learn new skills, choose faith in the moment of discomfort and the unknown, let go, and savour the sweet spot.

Does Roger Federer know the "Secret"?

It certainly appears so. There definitely seems to be some magic in the air with this guy's 5th consecutive win at Wimbledon. And yup, I stayed up past 3:30am to watch him do it. It was totally worth it.

The Fed Express is a brilliant tennis player, let's face it. He's swift, powerful, and precise. He never gives up. He is calm and focused.

So is the Law of Attraction part of his success? Of course it is. The Law of Attraction is always in action, whether you are conscious of it or not. However, with deliberate focus, you can amplify the flow of energy to serve your intentions. Just like a magnifying glass can concentrate the rays of the sun.

Here's what Rog did to help create a superhighway of success at this year's Wimbledon:

1. Supportive environments.
He has Mum, Dad, and girlfriend barracking for him, win or lose. He's got trainers, massage therapists, and a slew of experts on call. When he dumped his coach Tony Roche earlier this year, it was because Tony no longer provided the right support for his game. Tough call (everyone thought he was crazy to sack him when he's had so much success under Tony's guidance. But when it doesn't feel right, it doesn't feel right. Fed trusted his intuition on this one and it has paid off.)

2. He dresses the part.

Say what you will about his white blazer and pants, it really sets the scene. It says, this guy is serious, this guy is honouring tradition and all the greats that have come before him. He dresses like champion, he walks like a champion, he talks like champion.

3. Using a vacuum.
I'm not sure if you noticed or not, but Federer had four little emblems emblazoned on his sport bag: Wimbledon champion 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006. The little emblems certainly reached out to next one - 2007. And it was the same for the winner's roll at Wimbledon itself - the long list of players with the last four Roger Federer, Roger Federer, Roger Federer, Roger Federer. Another 'Roger Federer' seem to be drawn to it magnetically. In fact it was only moments after the last point was hit and Roger fell to the ground in relief that officials were filling the 2007 winner's spot with his name, for a fifth time.

4. Crying.

OK, I don't always recommend crying as manifestation practice. What I do want to point out here is that when Roger rolled on the court and wept, what he was letting go was gratitude. It was so palpable you could almost taste it. This guy was relieved for sure, but also so grateful for his win. He was also grateful and honoured to be following great players like Bjorn Borg (watching from the stands.) And if you haven't had a good cry recently, go ahead and do it. You know it feels good!

Good on you, Rog. You show us all how to reach just a little further and come up trumps.

37 reasons to get up in the morning

Happy Birthday to me!
Yes, I have made it to yet another milestone. 37 is as good as any random number to celebrate being alive and wandering this fair planet.

Here are 37 fabulous reasons to throw back the doona, do a jig, and crack a smile for the day.

1. I have four limbs, full mental faculties (most days), and all body parts working in unison (except while playing golf).
2. I can read and write, unlike a billion others in the world.
3. I have a computer, even if it does operate as if powered by small rodent on treadmill.
4. I have a loving husband who spoils me rotten (blueberry pancakes on birthday morning anyone?)
5. My days are inexorably (is this a word?) filled with peaceful moments.
6. A ton of books just waiting to be read and savoured. More than I can hope to read in this lifetime.
7. Rain.
8. Snow.
9. Sunshine.
10. Cats love to cuddle and purr all over me. This is nice, even if it does make me break out in hives and make my nose run like a torrent.
11. Star Wars on DVD. I can watch it again and again. And again.
12. Family who care enough to wake me up in the middle of the night to wish me happy birthday.
13. In-laws who like me enough to bake me a cake and give me kitchen appliances.
14. Membership to a gym where they know me by name.
15. Boobs any woman might envy, even though they do not know the dramas of finding a good jogging bra.
16. Roger Federer playing in Wimbledon again. The man is poetry in sport. They should have called him Wordsworth.
17. Friends who call me and remind me that they still love me, even with more wrinkles and silver hair.
18. More adventures to be had each day.
19. More opportunities to make babies.
20. More chances to connect with people, spread a little joy and peace, and eat chocolate.
21. Wonderful mentors and coaches. Thanks Drew!
22. Work that is creative and exciting and fun.
23. The BBC production of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
24. Seeing the way Virginia Hausegger smiles at the weather guy on ABC news each night.
25. Selling cool stuff that helps people.
26. Cuddles from a husband who never tires of my silliness.
27. I drive a very cool car - Subaru Impreza R. Silver. Hatchback. Love it!
28. Funky hip parents who own a nice B & B in Prince Edward Island.
    
29. A sister who lives in New York who loves to have us visit. Big Apple holiday - here we come!
30. My camera. I love taking photos. It helps expand perspective.
31. My boogie board. You want true freedom? Ride a wave. Your life will be changed forever.
32. Amazon bookstore. What a cool business!
33. To see my vision of the Hang Out fulfilled: a health and wellness centre that incorporates personal development with health, fitness, and a cool place to hang out.
34. Opportunity to make the small moments count.
35. I'm not 40 yet!
36. I live in Australia: land of beautiful beaches, amazing wilderness, fun friendly people, sunshine, freedom and peace.
37. I'm breathing and above ground. That's reason enough!
    

Roger Federer goes against the grain

I was pretty shocked when Federer sacked his coach Tony Roche. After all, this guy has been with him through six Grand Slam victories and kept him at number one in tennis for an obscenely long-time. Most people feel Federer is unstoppable and not many come close to touching his skill, ability, and focus.

So why dump Tony now when things are going so well? Admittedly, he had a bit of a slump since the Australian open in January, but nothing that was really affecting his form. Surely it was better to keep Tony as he had been so good for him?

Federer explains that the ‘communication was just not there’. It takes a brave man to dump his coach a few weeks out from the French Open, the one tournament he has not yet been able to win despite his talent on every other tennis surface. Surely he would need his coach more than ever?

What Federer did took a huge leap of faith. He trusted his gut instinct that the relationship was no longer serving his needs, in spite of the huge surprise and doubts from almost everyone else in the tennis world. Everyone thought he was crazy. Go it alone, now, and ditch Roche who has had such a huge great track record not just with Fed, but also with past heroes such as Ivan Lendl and Pat Rafter?! He’s crazy.

But Roger’s not crazy. He trusted himself. And he’s got the wins to prove it too. He beat his nemesis Rafael Nadal on Rafa’s favourite surface – clay at the recent Hamburg Masters. Rafa had been unbeaten on clay for 81 consecutive games. Whoa. And Fed beat him. Without a coach.

As a professional coach I know that getting sacked always hurts a little. We like to think that we are a very significant part of someone’s success. That’s the ego talking. The truth is, when the job’s done or is no longer working, it’s over. The real success is in how the person being coached feels. Are they stronger? Are they happier? Are they their own best friend?

So what to learn from all this?

• Tony Roche did the best job he could. Ultimately the wins are Roger’s, not Tony’s.
• Like Roger, trust your gut instinct, even when logic tells you something different.
• Trust yourself that you will be ok, no matter what the critics say.
• The real power is within – no one can give that to you.
• A coach works well when the communication is there, when the connection is there, and it feels right.
• A good relationship with a coach is about how you feel, not how good the coach is.
• Roger Federer is a genius tennis player, a model of personal confidence, focus, and powerful intention, and all-round good guy.

Personally, my money is on Roger in the finals at the French Open this Sunday. Even if he drops a set or even the game to Rafa, he’ll still be The Man.

Go Fed!