Firstballtolast

Tennis, our sport of a lifetime. I still keep in touch with many of my junior rivals, hell, some I consider  my closest friends today. One of them in particular got himself an idea recently, to recreate this iconic junior tennis photo from our New England playing days. taking it upon himself to order us some adult-sized shirts to make it all happen. Plans are in the works. Always love reconnecting with my old buds, sharing war stories from back in the day. The long journey back to childhood. I'm part geologist, part archeologist, exploring the strata of memory. The mind and its gigs of storage. Many of the memories are pleasant, innocuous, gentle. Others lay safely inert playing no meaningful role in my life today. But others, thought safely stored deep within my psyche, still remain active, radioactive even, though muted some, memories, like radiation, have their half lives. But I find our mind's selective memory fascinating. Memories I haven't thought of in decades, memor

  Educate: Power point or Whiteboard Meditation, or awareness, is about being yourself and knowing something about what that is, that you are on a path whether you like it or not, namely the path of your life In Recovery, we refer to this as the most important decision you will make in your life is the next one, for it determines the pathway. It's no different for our tennis journey. You are either heading toward growth and development or away from it. Meditation or awareness shows us that our pathway has a direction, that it is unfolding moment to moment, and MOST IMPORTANTLY what happens now influences what happens next. So if what happens now influences what happens next, doesn't it make sense to observe ourselves from time to time, keeping current with our present state. By taking inventory of our inner and outer bearings, we can perceive with clarity the directions we are heading.   So observe yourself. Be a light unto yourself. Nobody can do this work for

 Add DEFINITION before "A journey is a common metaphor for life as it reminds us that the destination is not our only goal. Like with any form of a journey, there are times when the roads are straight and times when they are winding. There are ups and downs and potholes along the way. And there are often wonderful surprises and fun discoveries that you would never have experienced if it wasn’t for the route you chose."   Add  USE TOPIC IN A TENNIS SENTENCE    "Embarking on a tennis career is akin to setting out on a captivating journey filled with challenges, triumphs, and self-discovery. Much like any expedition, the path is not always straightforward; it meanders through various terrains, each match and tournament marking a unique point on the player's trajectory."    Replace  "There are no right answers: Just measuring where you are at now as to where you will be after we do the work to chart your progress."   with    " There are no r

  Executive Summary: The First Ball To Last Tennis Mental Health and Wellness Program is a pioneering initiative aimed at fostering holistic development among young tennis players. Recognizing the vital role mental well-being plays in athletic performance and overall personal growth, our program integrates emotional intelligence education, emotional support, and tennis training to empower young athletes to thrive both on and off the court. Business Description: My name is Barry Buss, I am the creator and sole owner of First Ball To Last, a subscription model program to be purchased through a downloadable APP via smartphone. The Problem in need of solving: I direct you to my PowerPoint presentation for far greater detail. We are in the midst of a National Teen Mental Health Crisis. Being a teenager is stressful, playing competitive tennis is additionally stressful. Combining the two, the junior tennis life is extra-challenging, with high rates of burn out and drop out permeating ou

  Introduce Topic: The Journey Solid definition:  A journey is a common metaphor for life as it reminds us that the destination is not our only goal. Like with any form of a journey, there are times when the roads are straight and times when they are winding. There are ups and downs and potholes along the way. And there are often wonderful surprises and fun discoveries that you would never have experienced if it wasn’t for the route you chose. 3) Use term in a tennis sentence: Embarking on a tennis career is akin to setting out on a captivating journey filled with challenges, triumphs, and self-discovery. Much like any expedition, the path is not always straightforward; it meanders through various terrains, each match and tournament marking a unique point on the player's trajectory. FIRST BALL TO LAST 10 Question Test:  SCALE:  1) Never..2) Rarely  3) Sometimes  4) Often 5) Always.....There are no right answers: Just measuring where you are at now as to where you will be

Introduce topic: Meditation Solid definition:   Webster’s dictionary defines the term ‘to meditate’ as ‘to engage in contemplation or reflection.’ Meditation is prolonged concentration while engaging in mental activity either focusing on specific thoughts or focusing on nothing at all. Use term in a tennis sentence: 1. "Meditation before a tennis match helps players stay focused and calm under pressure." How about another: "Incorporating mindfulness meditation into tennis training can improve players' mental clarity and decision-making on the court." One last one: "Practicing meditation regularly can enhance a tennis player's ability to stay present and perform at their peak during intense matches." Meme Cartoon:                                           FIRST BALL TO LAST 10 question test on Meditation SCALE:  1) Never..2) Rarely  3) Sometimes  4) Often 5) Always.....There are no right answers: Just measuring where you are at now as to where yo

Introduce topic: The Daily Check-In Solid definition: A daily check-in is a simple yet effective way to track progress towards long-term goals, stay accountable, and make adjustments as needed.   Daily check-ins can take many forms, from journaling to reviewing progress on a project, and can be applied to both personal and professional goals. They provide an opportunity to reflect on what's working, what's not, and what needs to be done to keep moving forward. By taking a step back and regularly assessing progress, individuals can stay motivated and focused on their goals, and make any necessary adjustments to stay on track. Use term in a tennis sentence: We check in with our coach's regularly to assess our progress and address any concerns Meme Cartoon:                                                      FIRST BALL TO LAST 10 question test:     SCALE:  1) Never..2) Rarely  3) Sometimes  4) Often 5) Always.....There are no right answers: Just measuring where you ar

Introduce topic: Building the Ideal Player/Becoming a Role Model Merch Idea: We'll want to design "Role Model In Training" t-shirts:  Solid definition:  A role model is a person you look up to and admire. They can be someone who has achieved great things, or someone who is just good at living their life in a way that you aspire to. Role models provide a template for success and can help people set and achieve ambitious goals, often modelling the type of behavior required to reach their goal, Use the term role model in a tennis sentence: Roger Federer is a great role model for aspiring tennis players due to his exceptional skills, sportsmanship, and dedication to the sport. Meme Cartoon:                                                    FIRST BALL TO LAST 10 question test:      SCALE:  1) Never..2) Rarely  3) Sometimes  4) Often 5) Always.....There are no right answers: Just measuring where you are at now as to where you will be after we do the work to chart your pr

Introduce topic: Mindfulness Strong definition: Mindfulness is awareness of one's internal states and surroundings, our thoughts emotions and experiences without judging or reacting to them. About focusing one's awareness on the present moment.  The intentional act of giving your undivided attention to the present moment. Famous mindfulness author and practitioner Jon Kabat-Zinn defined mindfulness as “paying attention in a particular way:
 on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.” Mindfulness is about shifting out of autopilot and awakening to the here and now.   Other ways of describing mindfulness: “Being present” “Awareness” “Awakening” “Concentration plus attention” “Seeing  clearly” “Compassionate awareness” “Openheartedness” “Loving presence.” Let's use mindfulness in a tennis sentence: Good concentration when playing tennis is a form of mindfulness. Being able to focus on the matter at hand, blocking out all outside interference yet not reacting