Look At Those Facts Objectively

"If something has crushed your dream, do you find that you are in denial? I wasn’t really in denial—I didn’t think there was life after the NFL, so I hadn’t even reached the point of denial yet — but I was in a death spiral. I believed if I couldn’t play football, then life as I knew it was over. If you’re in denial about a crushed dream, or if you’re succumbing to the “death” feeling where demons roam and you believe that nothing matters in life anymore, you need to face the facts. We all have to look at those facts objectively and analyze our next move, no matter how painful it is."

-- Matt Mayberry

How To Build Your Mental Strength

"Whatever you’re pursuing, study it. For me, it was the playbook. I had to study it inside and out. After practices I also studied the videos of my and other teammates’ performances. So, no matter what you’re pursuing, study it by reading books about it, watching videos about it, and joining others to discuss it. This builds up your knowledge of the sport or whatever it is you’re interested in. It builds your mental strength."

-- Matt Mayberry

How To Expand Your Mind

"I know we’re discussing the mental here, but honestly, doing something physical can really pay off for your mental work. Lifting weights and cardio are two of the best methods to strengthen working memory and intelligence. The trick, however, is to keep pushing yourself, just like Neal and I pushed each other during our workouts to increase the intensity. If you work out at the level you’ve always done—like running a mile, for example—then you’ll stay where you are mentally. You have to push yourself a little past your limit to expand the mind."

-- Matt Mayberry

Mindfulness Mediation To Achieve Your Dreams

"It’s important to be able to shut out the world on a regular basis and laser-focus on the job at hand. Turn off your smartphones and all social media for at least twenty minutes a day. You can take a walk or simply sit somewhere quietly and just breathe… relax. Some people call this mindfulness meditation. When your thoughts begin to wander, gently pull them back. When that work meeting pops into your head, push it out and focus on your breathing. When you start mentally planning your next workout, return to your breathing. This can have dramatic results and will help you in your work and activities toward achieving your dreams."

-- Matt Mayberry

Our Most important Priorities in Life

"Sometimes we may not give our best at work or in school until a problem arises. We wait to tell those we love how much they really mean to us, and then we regret it when they’re gone. We forget about our most important values and priorities in life while we’re rushing to earn a hefty paycheck or receive an extra bonus." 

-- Matt Mayberry

Expectations for Your Life

"Don’t just meet other people’s expectations; set out to surpass them. Not many people will ever set high expectations for your life, so aiming to just meet them will never get you to where you want to go. The way to ensure that you are doing your best to surpass expectations is to continually push yourself and work harder than ever before. As long as you’re just doing what you’ve always done, you’ll continue to get the same results and never get better. Set the bar of expectation high, and aim to surpass it."

-- Matt Mayberry

Be a Master of Your Craft

"No matter what you want to achieve, I can think of no better advice than practice, practice, practice. Strive to be a master of your craft. It will help you get to where you want to go every single time. It may not happen for you immediately, but eventually it will."

-- Matt Mayberry

You May Be Your Worst Enemy

"Sometimes one of the biggest barriers standing in the way of achievement is yourself. Don’t become the problem. That old saying “If you keep on getting what you’re getting, it’s because you keep on doing what you’re doing” is apropos. You may be your own worst enemy. I certainly was when I wallowed in self-pity over some failure. Pick yourself up off the floor, and get to work doing your best."

-- Matt Mayberry

Ignite Your Passion Now

"Passion is the fuel for greatness. Find me a champion, someone who is the best at his or her craft, who isn’t passionate. I can almost guarantee that you won’t be able to give me more than one name. Evaluate what you’ve been doing and ask yourself if you’re truly passionate about it. Without passion, your outcome will be so-so. Ignite that passion now!" 

-- Matt Mayberry

Continually Review and Analyze

"Consider how you’ve been trying to improve. Examine what you’ve done wrong and what you’ve done right. I’ve found that there are always ways I can improve no matter what area of life I’m tackling. When you continually review and analyze, you will always get new and different signals on how to get a better result."

-- Matt Mayberry

Do Not Neglect The Present

"Life unfolds moment by moment. We generally let the present slip away, allowing time to rush past unobserved. We squander the precious seconds of our lives as we worry about the future and ruminate about the past. Yes, we must mandate a vision for where we want to go and take ownership of where we currently are, but we can’t neglect the present. It is here to help develop and mold us into being the best of ourselves."

-- Matt Mayberry

Be The Leader of Your Own Life

"One of the first things you can do is decide that each day, no matter what your circumstances and struggles are, you will find ways to get better. Even if they’re baby steps. One little thing each day will add up to big things tomorrow. Some days will consume all your energy. Other days will throw you obstacles. Just know that and be prepared for it. Determine that you will be the leader of your life. The CEO and master of your world."

-- Matt Mayberry

In Order To Be Better and Excel

"Sometimes we have to be pushed out of our comfort zone in order to get better and excel.  And it can be painful and difficult.  Focus is the key.  What have you done lately that pushed you to the limit?  Did you stay focused?  Or did you quit?  That is the the question."

-- Matt Mayberry

You Do Have A Choice

"You can’t redirect where you are headed or change yourself if you personally don’t want that for your life. It’s a choice. I couldn’t become healthy and work toward creating a better future if I didn’t want to do what was necessary to make that a reality."

-- Matt Mayberry

Why Having Goals is Important

"When failures or setbacks happen, as they inevitably will, some will simply quit. Some will blame others for misfortune and settle into mediocrity.  Many will want to give up, but their dreams won’t let them. Having goals and dreams is important. It can help you through the hard times, the dark days. And if you quit, it’s all over."

-- Matt Mayberry