So I turned to my mom–a former Tretorn shod, pom-pom sock-strutting tennis ace who could rip the fuzz off those hot pink tennis balls back in the glory years of the sport–the magnificent 1970s.  I asked her, "Mom, how did you manage (with three whiney pre-schoolers in tow) to learn to play so well?" She replied, "I read The Inner Game of Tennis, dear."  What?? She got game from reading a book! I was flabbergasted. Tennis magic from a book. Well, I'm no autodidact like mom, but The Inner Game of Tennis really is everything it's cracked up to be."

And Lauren goes on to compare the book to Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, but she explains how some of Tim, Gallwey's methods really stuck with her. In this quote from the book she nails the spirit of the entire process of the inner game.

"Concentration is not staring hard at something. It is not trying to concentrate; it is not thinking hard about something. Concentration is fascination of mind." Tim Gallwey, the Inner Game of Tennis.

Right after Wimbledon I went in search of my copy of The Inner Game as well. I was looking to refresh my thinking, or NOT thinking. The inner system is amazingly simple. Using the labels Self 1 and Self 2, Gallwey does a great job of simplifying the self and the observed-self (or inner voice) that drives so many of us crazy.

What I didn't realize when I was reading this book at 13-14 years-old was how it would affect me throughout my life. I am certain that the inner voice that the Inner Game teaches you to "coach" was a constant core of strength for me growing up. I had no idea it was connected with this "tennis" book from my childhood. But years later when I picked up a newer copy of the book, I can see how these principles are part of my life.

And that's the Inner Game in a nutshell. Get control of the inner voice, groove and direct the messages you are sending yourself via that voice, and use the inner dialogue as a powerful force to change and strengthen your game: your life!

I am certainly looking forward to getting my copy of the new book, Inner Game of Stress and see how the Inner Game has refined the message!

@jmacofearth
permalink: http://bit.ly/innertennis-review

Omni Daily Crush: "The Inner Game of Tennis" by Lauren Nemroff on July 10, 2009