Got into Providence, RI at midnight and drove thru fog and rain to New Port – got in about 1:30 am.

Got up early to go to the International Hall of Fame.  It is awesome- walking down the street in New Port and suddenly there is a green canopy that tells you – YOU ARE HERE.  Turn left and you face the famous grass court and horseshoe area viewing area established in 1881.

I walk thru the entrance and by the pristine grass court wet with the morning dew to the entrance to the actual Hall of Fame.  Of course I have to go thru the shop and buy about $100 worth of Hall of Fame merchandise that I cannot live without.  I also join the Hall of Fame as a member for $50 – so I can go thru the museum whenever I want (once ever 3 years when I get up here again).

The museum is up the wooden stairs with carpet on the steps announcing where you are.  It is an incredible experience to see all those inducted into the Hall of Fame (Agassi is the next to be inducted).  They have amazing artifacts about tennis from the beginning of tennis time – racquets, old time clothes, trophies, pretty much everything in the world of tennis. There is sections that honor all the great players individually, by each major tournament and Davis Cup championship.  Just to see it all is a day long adventure into tennis history.  I took about a million pictures.

I attended a 4 hour course on Tennis Business Management for Directors of Tennis, had a cup of clam chowder on the deck overlooking the grass court and museum and admired the old tennis buildings and thought about the history of tennis played here.  The last time I was here, Karen and Kam were with me.  Kam hit on the grass courts (age 5 I think) and wished they were here again today with me.

Two more education courses to attend today.  One on strategy and one on continuing to grow professionally thru continuing education by two great speakers.  There was a party after at the “Court Tennis” center where they had a demonstration of the original “court tennis” played.  It is indoors, with tiny long racquets and a balls that bounce very little and are served off a sidewall and overhanging roof.  This is how Henry the VIII played the game and was watched by all.  Amazing game with a combination of squash, indoor tennis and rules???  Got some great pictures I will have to post later.

Tomorrow – I get to visit down town and take pictures of incredibly beautiful old homes and say “Wow” lots of time to myself.  I love history – one of my 3 majors in college. I speak at 3 tomorrow and have an hour and a half time slot to present the 50 Best Tips.  I will attend 5 other presentations to continue my education as well.

Tennis – what an amazing game it is….

Thanks to all of you,

Ken DeHart
SJSRC Director of Tennis
PTR & USPTA Master Professional
408-892-3806 cell
www.kendeharttennis.com

• Ladies Finals from Australia [/caption] I got up at 3:30 am here in Charleston, SC to see THE match from down under.  My roommate was asleep, they wouldn't let me access the TV in the bar - afraid I would drink them dry I guess.  Little did they know I don't drink.  I went......
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What is important is to make our day to day living the path that leads to our dreams. To go some where you must first decide where it is you would like to go. Once that is decided, you can now decide how you want to get there and how fast it needs to happen. Know that there will be challenges along the way, things you forgot to consider, road closures and distractions from your destination.

How you deal with these “disconnections” will be determined by your resolve, your commitment to your destination and plan of action. Most of us are driven by the need to just survive each day. But let’s say you really want to be more in control of your life and where you are headed.

Here are 3 steps to help you:

1. Take a look at where you are now. You can’t decide where to go until you determine where you are now. Let’s say you are a club player rated 3.5.
2. How long have you been there? Are you recently bumped to that level or have you been that level player for the past 4 years.
3. Where do you want to be? Your goal is to become a 4.5 player.

Once you have determined where you are on the map and where you want to go you can begin to determine your course for getting there. How long you have been where you are will be the motivation for moving to the new destination.

Here are 3 questions that will help in deciding what your path might be:

1. Potential, do you have the athletic or supreme resolve to get where you want to be?
2. Resources, do you have the financial, professional, friend or family support to help make this happen? Do you have the necessary network?
3. Time, do you have the time to begin the journey full time or do you need to do it part time for a period of time?

Now that you have taken inventory of these questions, let’s see what will help keep you on your path on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.

Here are 7 factors to consider:

1. Motivation, what is your true motivation for your decision? Is it fame, money, pride, or sense of achievement?
2. Improved skills, is there a plan on how you will develop the improved skills necessary to continue your journey?
3. Support system, do you have a network of people that you can confide in, ask questions, and want to see you succeed in difficult times?
4. Recognize nay-sayers, do you know how to avoid situations and people who will try to discourage you along the way? There are many who do not want you to pass them on your way and many who cannot see what you see.
5. Create a winning environment, create a visual on the wall of others who have succeeded, read motivational biographies, talk to “can do” people and tell others of your plan so they can help you keep your commitment.
6. Create a reward system, just like you have to plan rest stops on your trip, take time to reward your self for progress made.
7. Re-evaluate and recommit, take time to look how far you have come, rest and go again with renewed energy.

The achievement of your goal will be a journey with many unexpected interruptions, challenges, achievements and surprises along the way. Should you reach your goal, you may find it was the journey that was as satisfying as the achievement of you destination.

The important part of a resolution is the process of evaluation, the commitment to make a change and the courage to make it happen.

My tennis resolutions for 2009 are 3:

1. Play tennis 3 times a week
2. Have a conditioning plan for strength, flexibility and speed
3. Keep a journal of my tennis journey to help my awareness of my journey and to be able to reflect upon my experiences

What are your tennis resolutions for 2009?

Happy New Year to you, may 2009 be the year you do!

Photo Credits: 1

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