Learning about myself and the game

jalapus logan

jalapus logan

be all. and supports it to
Silver Member
So, I just took a Gallup strength finder test and the results are revealing. It turns out I do NOT possess a killer instinct and I never will. It turns out that I approach our game just like I approach people. The test basically says that I enjoy interacting with people, enjoy creative thinking and problem solving, enjoy competition and enjoy being near the top of the group…BUT, here’s the key, I do not possess the drive to be the best! So, there it is, I said it. I would say that the truth hurts, but it doesn’t.

As it turns out, I really just enjoy playing the game as best as I can. I’m happy when I win, but am not crushed when I lose. I will never be a killer in the game. In fact, when I run up the score in a set (as happened last night), I almost always either cease bearing down, or try more interesting patterns or banks rather than the routine, reliable out. In other words, I tend to try to play just well enough to maintain my lead and to keep the game interesting for myself.

Some may say this is a bad thing. And it may be, from a perspective. Certainly most focus on winning, I get that. But the satisfaction I derive from our game these days is improvement, human interaction, camaraderie, exploring new patterns, etc. I’ve even tried gambling, but even that pressure doesn’t change my approach to the game and I continue to try odd ball shots and outs as the session wears on.

As Socrates advised us to know ourselves, this is what I am learning about myself and my game. I enjoy the activity, creativity and beauty of the game more than I enjoy its outcome. I enjoy my opponent more than I enjoy beating them. Turns out that scores, numbers and cash bore me.

I remain a walking contradiction.

Best,

JL (Gawd, is it Friday yet???)
 
It is a good thing, and be thankful for it. Being a narcissist is not the way to live a life.
There was a fellow I used to play golf with who, in his youth, was an up and coming prizefighter. He was big, strong, and light on his feet. Whenever we would bump fists after a good putt it felt like I was hitting an anvil.
He told me that after one of his fights (he had a total of four professional bouts) the great Archie Moore had come to his dressing room and told him that although he certainly had the tools to compete, he lacked what was needed most to survive and win in the ring, and that was a killer instinct.
Pool is the same. To be a consistent winner, especially when gambling, you must become completely indifferent to the wants, needs, and desires, of your competitor. It's kill, or be killed. :)
 
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I'd say you have a damned healthy outlook...both the game of pool and life itself.

There have been times in life when I realized that what I was doing for fun was no longer fun. Taking things too seriously one reason, simply getting bored another.

That's when I look around for something else to do for fun.
 
jalapus logan said:
enjoy being near the top of the group…BUT, I do not possess the drive to be the best!
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I am in the same category as you.

So that people dont misunderstand, you can be damn good at anything with this mentality, you just wont be the "best".

My sister (oddly her not me) has the "killer instinct", she reached the top level in her chosen sport, and would have fits anytime she came in second place!.......but she is not well rounded (IMHO), and some would say a demanding person...
 
michael4 said:
I am in the same category as you.

So that people dont misunderstand, you can be damn good at anything with this mentality, you just wont be the "best".

My sister (oddly her not me) has the "killer instinct", she reached the top level in her chosen sport, and would have fits anytime she came in second place!.......but she is not well rounded (IMHO), and some would say a demanding person...
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Agreed. My point is not that I will just let someone roll over me or that I will not fight back. Just wanted to remind folks that people are different with different motivations and aspirations. And that makes the world go 'round.
 
There's some good stuff in this one. Motivations and goals are very important. You can be good and happy, be the best but miserable, rich and miserable (or happy) or poor and happy (or miserable). It's all over the map.

I guess the important takeaway is that a person's behavior should be consistent with their goals. If you're doing that, respecting others, and respecting yourself, you're ahead of alot of people. Sleep well at night and let others believe what they want to believe about you.
 
Oh...I was interviewing with this company and went through like 5 rounds of interviews with increasingly senior folks.

Recruiter tells me,"everyone has liked what they've seen and I will be mailing you an offer letter on Monday. I will also send you a link to some preemployment items that will need to be completed prior to finalization of hiring".

One of the things was a personality test that literally took like 4 hrs to do.

I never heard from those people again. Called the recruiter for 2weeks and everything.

:shrug:
 
Black-Balled said:
Oh...I was interviewing with this company and went through like 5 rounds of interviews with increasingly senior folks.

Recruiter tells me,"everyone has liked what they've seen and I will be mailing you an offer letter on Monday. I will also send you a link to some preemployment items that will need to be completed prior to finalization of hiring".

One of the things was a personality test that literally took like 4 hrs to do.

I never heard from those people again. Called the recruiter for 2weeks and everything.

:shrug:
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Good lord, I had that exact experience! Had to take the Myers Briggs test as part of the process. Days worth of interviews. Ended in a bust, but at least they did call me to let me know (while I was at the bcapl tourney years ago I might add).
 
Oh yeah, I'm resigning from my big corporate job tomorrow to pursue a job for a local garden designer. I'm pursuing happiness for a change, not the $. Good things are afoot...;)
 
I'm not so certain it matters how you view your opponent or whether or not you have that killer instinct. I think this game is way more of an internal struggle than an external one. So you can be the happy go lucky type when dealing with others but when you're all alone playing in solitude, do you really enjoy the challenge that the balls present to you? That's really the question. Efren is the greatest of all time and it at least appears to me that he doesn't really care much at all about his opponent but just enjoys the challenge that the balls present. The wins and losses take care of themselves.

Those that really get caught up in the competition of the game tend to burn out or get trapped in a losing proposition -- where they end up chasing the money off the table instead of chasing perfection on it. Look around the U.S. and you will see them everywhere.

I don't know...I do understand where you're coming from but I just don't quite see the game the same way. Great post though.
 
BasementDweller said:
I'm not so certain it matters how you view your opponent or whether or not you have that killer instinct. I think this game is way more of an internal struggle than an external one. So you can be the happy go lucky type when dealing with others but when you're all alone playing in solitude, do you really enjoy the challenge that the balls present to you? That's really the question. Efren is the greatest of all time and it at least appears to me that he doesn't really care much at all about his opponent but just enjoys the challenge that the balls present. The wins and losses take care of themselves.

Those that really get caught up in the competition of the game tend to burn out or get trapped in a losing proposition -- where they end up chasing the money off the table instead of chasing perfection on it. Look around the U.S. and you will see them everywhere.

I don't know...I do understand where you're coming from but I just don't quite see the game the same way. Great post though.
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Oh, I've burned out alright. But not with the game and not in my personal life. Having a soul-less job extracted a heavy toll on yours truly these past few years. My relationships outside of the workplace kept me sane and my pool game kept me fresh. I still just enjoy the game for its own sake. Hell, Im a basement dweller too...And I love it. Just been more introspective in the past few months...
 
You are not alone. I ease up also when it becomes obvious that my opponent
can't win. I give rediculous spots for the purpose of a good challenge, not to
swindle some sucker out of his payday or beer drinking money. It's not about
getting a lock on a game. It's about creating a hell of an opportunity to play
stronger. It's not about money or my opponent or my ego. It's about playing
pool.....playing for my own self-absorption ot the game.

Years ago, before I got married, my future wife asked how could I play pool all
day and all night, sometimes two or three days at a time. I told her that when
I'm playing great I don't ever wanna stop, and when I'm playing not so great
I wanna keep playing until I start playing great again. That was over 20 years
ago. My love for the game hasn't faded, and somewhere along the way I guess
my wife finally began to understand. Maybe.
 
jalapus logan said:
Oh, I've burned out alright. But not with the game and not in my personal life. Having a soul-less job extracted a heavy toll on yours truly these past few years. My relationships outside of the workplace kept me sane and my pool game kept me fresh. I still just enjoy the game for its own sake. Hell, Im a basement dweller too...And I love it. Just been more introspective in the past few months...
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I admitted years ago that I am a servant for my employer. At least I am getting paid for it. Work time is theirs, my time is mine.

Another basement dweller here too, but I watched orcullo play for a while and it messed me up. I haven't been able to run 5 balls in a week. I am out of the basement for a while.:angry:
 
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