Performance Blog

 by Garret Kramer Recently, a client asked my opinion on the following quote from basketball coach Pat Summitt: “Attitude is a choice. Think positive thoughts daily. Believe in yourself.” With all due respect to this highly successful leader, this type of mantra, which is common in the world of sports, will not help an athlete [...]

by Garret Kramer A high level of well-being is not the result of something you do or something that happens to you. Well-being is at the core of who you are. Regrettably, most of us are not aware of this truth. We are pushing and searching for that magic bullet that will provide the happiness [...]

by Garret Kramer About ten days ago, former Holy Family University basketball coach, John O’Connor, was captured on video attacking one of his players (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8N-UThBYto). The incident has received its fair share of attention—mainly focused on judgment of, and condemnation for, O’Connor’s actions. While I certainly do not condone this type of behavior, let’s take [...]

by Garret Kramer Unknowingly, I sent Dave Duerson an email on the day he took his own life. My friend and Dave’s teammate on the 1985 Chicago Bears, Tyrone Keys, had just connected us. Tyrone sensed something was not right with his buddy. As many of you now know, Dave donated his brain to concussion [...]

by Garret Kramer One of the most important aspects of my work is to explain and demonstrate—to athletes, coaches, and organizations—the almost always overlooked relevance of well-being. Without question, a person’s level of well-being, or state of mind, is the number one determinant of his success or failure. While most individuals place credit or blame [...]

Zach Parise was kind enough to write the following words for my upcoming book.  I am thankful for the wonderful job he did!  The book will be available in stores and on-line, beginning May lst. I feel privileged to write the foreword for this book. I first met Garret Kramer in September 2008, and in [...]

by Garret Kramer During the NHL All-Star break, I had an interesting meeting with a young hockey player, who was trying to cope with negative thoughts about his teammates, coaches, and even his future. Sitting in my office, he said, “I need a strategy for getting rid of my dreadful thoughts; I must find a [...]

by Garret Kramer I have to admit it; I think Rex Ryan of the New York Jets is a heck of a football coach. His players love him, his team is extremely unified, his defensive schemes are insightful, he takes responsibility for his actions, and he (unlike most coaches) understands that “bulletin board material” only [...]

by Garret Kramer I am amazed at how often I hear the following phrase: “Today’s athletes need to be more accountable.” Each time, I ask myself, “Accountable to what?” Winning? Giving maximum effort? Being a pro? Following a code of conduct? All of these behaviors? Sure, the actions of many athletes, both on and off [...]