Greg Maddux On Staying In The Present

Greg Maddux--Making Each Day A Masterpiece

Greg Maddux is the only pitcher in Major League Baseball history to win at least fifteen games for seventeen consecutive seasons. Re recalls some advice he once received from then-Cubs manager Tom Trebelhorn. "You know what the problem with players these days? Trebelhorn said. "They are always looking forward to something. They're never trying to do something today. They're always looking forward to the next off-day, the All-Star Break, the end of the season. They never stop and enjoy the day that's here."

Maddux says that he thought about that and saw that Trebelhorn had a point. In fact, Maddux realized that he had the same mind-set of looking only to the future and never enjoying the present moment. From that day forward, Maddux concluded, "I started enjoying each day...and really started loving the games from that day on."

Greg Maddux & Consistency

After watching Greg Maddux for many years, you come to appreciate the consistency in performances, the consistency I his work between games, the consistency in his thought process, the consistency in the excellence of his innings, his games. It is amazing, just amazing to watch. It just never varies.
--Bobby Cox, Atlanta Braves Manager

Consistency is a habit formed by repeated acts. Consistent behavior will get you consistent performance. All of the teaching theories based on repetition indicate that the constancy, the reiteration, the over and overness of behavior allows it to become second nature.
No one was amazed by Greg Maddux’s consistency during his first stint with the Chicago Cubs. He was good, but he acquired the ability to be great. Through consistent approaches—mental and physical—to his craft. To competition.
Successful execution comes when technique becomes a habit. Habit is developed through the consistent repetition of thoughts and movements.
--Taken from Coaching The Mental Game