2. The acceptance that the best athletes in the world will give up points and sometimes even lose games - but they do not let it bother them or concern them. They know that doing so (giving up points or losing) will not prevent them from playing great. It is only over-reacting to these that can cause a problem. Despite what the sportscasters say, it is not the team who makes the fewest mistakes that wins, instead, the winner is the team or player who plays well despite making mistakes. Think about it.

3. The commitment to reflect to step onto the field, or mat or court without totally and completely deciding to play all out. If any doubt or hesitancy occurs as you prepare to go into competition, stop and think about what you want to accomplish until your self-doubt disappears. The body follows the mind; thought precedes action. Get your mind focused on your desired outcome before each play from scrimmage, before each point, and before each pitch.

4. The acceptance that it is easier to play great by taking the pressure off, than by putting the pressure on. The human performance machine can do amazing things all by itself. Without the slighest conscious effort, it breathes, pumps blood, fights infections and performs complex actions like driving a car and holding a conversation while tuning in the radio - all at the same time, or like hitting an ace to the far corner of the court. Do you think you can make that machine perform these tasks better by criticizing it, by exaggerating the importance of the game or match, or by any one of a hundred other pressure - inducing schemes?

5. The commitment to eliminate terms such as "I must," "I should," or "I ought to" beat this opponent. Instead use terms such as "I will play my best right now," and let nothing stop you from this conviction.

6. The commitment not to hang around with "friends" who want to talk about poor performance, lost games, bad calls, or the unfairness of the sport. Keep away from these people! Hang around with people who share or support your dreams, who will talk with you about the last time you played great. Surround yourself with enthusiastic people and give back to them at least as much as they give you.

7. The commitment to develop an attitude of enjoying your sport and the challenge of sport. No matter how tough it gets, no matter how badly you just got beat, will you continue to show enthusiasm, optimism, and excitement? How many people will you blow away today with your great attitude - especially after an unexpected loss?

8. The acceptance that great players do not need to have perfect and technically flawless technique, moves, strokes, or skills. There are no such things as perfect skills. There are skills that work and skills that don't, and any skill that works for you is great! So give yourself some credit for the skills that do work for you, even if they don't look textbook perfect. Come to think of it, a lot of Michael Jordan's moves are pretty unusual. Some are downright strange. They just work.

9. The acceptance that competing successfully involves paying attention to doing the same old potentially boring things practice after practice and game after game regardless of whether or not they are working perfectly. Who knows how many reps it will take before your skills break through to the next level? Not me, not you, not anybody. If you are open to the possibility that a breakthrough could happen at any minute, you will continue practicing and playing your game. If you are not open to that possibility then you might as well stop playing.

10. The acceptance that anyone willing to be disciplined, decisive, and trusting is capable of becoming a very successfull player. And this athlete could be you! The question is: Are you willing to be disciplined, decisive and trusting day after day?