Becoming Extraordinary

[chefjeff]

Hellooooooooo contenders!!!!!.....

I'm putting this in the DM section as we're the few at az who actually'walk the talk,' or so it seems, anyway. I figure it is targeted to the best audience.

I've noticed some players have posted their goals for this year's tourney. I was wondering of any of you have thought ahead to next year's DMMHT and what scores you'd like to have then? And I was wondering if you looked back at last year's scores before you started this year?

So, then I got this message from a service I subscribe (see below) to, and thought it might be helpful to those of us struggling with improving our scores. I'd like some input from the good players here about the message and what strategies you have for thinking, not so much about layouts on the table, but moreso the thinking you do to control yourself during/before/after a game/match/sessioin.

OK?

Thanks,

Jeff Livingston

Edit and note: Lou Tice has worked with a lot of pro atheletes so he's not just some guy on the internet blowing smoke here. Enjoy...oh, I suggest subscribing if you're the type that likes some positive mental input on a daily basis...it's free.

Winner's Circle Network with Lou Tice - 12/19/06 - "Becoming Extraordinary"

How do athletes go from contender to superstar? How do ordinary people
become extraordinary? Here's a secret to achieve breakthrough performance in
your everyday life.

Everyone has times when they feel like they are unstoppable, times when they
are doing whatever it is they do with ease, grace and incredible skill. But
no one, not even the best of the best, can operate in that ideal
performance-state 100% of the time.

The secret to achieving extraordinarily high levels of performance is
learning how to take command of your mind and body so that you can operate
at your peak when you need to, and relax and recover in between. Here's how:

First, goal-setting is a key. Many people don't like to set goals because
they don't like to fail. However, you must develop mental toughness if you're
going to grow, and setting and achieving goals is one way to do it. Another
way is to develop the ability to get rid of negative thoughts when they
occur and substitute images of success and positive results.

Finally, sticking to a sensible program of self-care - including good
nutrition, regular restful sleep, built-in periods of laughter and play, and
vigorous physical exercise - will do wonders for your self-image.

It is natural to start thinking about these things as we approach a new
year. So why not take that natural year-end energy, refuse to settle for
"ordinary" in your life, and goal-set to go after the extraordinary. If you
do, go after it with everything you have and believe in your ability to do
it!

Lou Tice
The Pacific Institute
www.thepacificinstitute.com

"TPI teaches people how to manage change, set and achieve goals, lead more
effectively, and think in ways that create success."
---------------------------------------------------
To view past Winner's Circle messages, or make changes to your subscription,
or unsubscribe, go to web site http://mailman.wolfe.net/mailman/listinfo/wcn
For any problems, please email rschau@pac-inst.com
---------------------------------------------------
The Pacific Institute copyrights 1997-2006. All rights reserved.
Winner's Circle Network with Lou Tice (WCN) is a registered trademark.

 

[Williebetmore]

Duplicate post, sorry.

 

[Williebetmore]

....... the thinking you do to control yourself during/before/after a game/match/sessioin.

CJ,
An excellent question that gets right to the heart of the reason that I compete in the yearly DMMHT - the DMMHT is NOT only a measure of excellence; it is ALSO a means to achieve it.

In the opinion of many, a vital part of top level pool playing is the ability to concentrate for long periods of time; maintaining a perfect stroke on shot after shot after shot. Such concentration must be developed; you cannot expect to just "will" it to happen.

To play 10 racks of Q Skill Challenge in a day is an excellent way to help develop this concentration. During these sessions I give my absolute attention to delivering my best stroke on each and every shot during the session. Do it for 30 days and you should definitely improve. It is no substitute for a good stroke, it won't necessarily improve your stroke; but it SHOULD help you deliver your best possible stroke every time.

My goal for next year is to break 800 on tough equipment.

 

[SoundWaves]

In the opinion of many, a vital part of top level pool playing is the ability to concentrate for long periods of time; maintaining a perfect stroke on shot after shot after shot. Such concentration must be developed; you cannot expect to just "will" it to happen.

Such a true statement. This is a great test for your consistancy and concentration over time. There were many racks that I did a great job with the begining of the rack to make it runnable, only to mess up an easy shot. Man those mistakes are alot more obvious when your keeping score.

My goal for next year is to break 500. I think I am going to spend alot of time playing this and strait pool throughout the year to help my 8 ball game.

 

[chefjeff]

CJ,
An excellent question that gets right to the heart of the reason that I compete in the yearly DMMHT - the DMMHT is NOT only a measure of excellence; it is ALSO a means to achieve it.

In the opinion of many, a vital part of top level pool playing is the ability to concentrate for long periods of time; maintaining a perfect stroke on shot after shot after shot. Such concentration must be developed; you cannot expect to just "will" it to happen.

To play 10 racks of Q Skill Challenge in a day is an excellent way to help develop this concentration. During these sessions I give my absolute attention to delivering my best stroke on each and every shot during the session. Do it for 30 days and you should definitely improve. It is no substitute for a good stroke, it won't necessarily improve your stroke; but it SHOULD help you deliver your best possible stroke every time.

My goal for next year is to break 800 on tough equipment.

Thanks Doc. OK, concentration...I'll buy that. It is said that concentration lacks for three reasons:

1. lack of motivation
2. internal distractions
3. external distractions

I'm having problems mostly with number 2, internal distractions. About halfway through a rack, I start thinking about my business, my wife, what I could be doing instead of playing pool, etc. My pool playing buddie has the same problem. He misses when he's had an argument with his girlfriend or problems at work, etc. Both of us express this problem but when it happens, we have a hard time overcoming it. Getting drunk helps, but that's not a good long-term strategy of course.

It seems that the older I get, the more things I have to think about, therefore the more problems I have in successfully executing long sessions of pool. Anyone have any advice for NOT thinking about other stuff during a runout? Is it possible to temporarily revert to a twenty-something mindset? Or is it better to develop a process of simply handling additional thoughts in a way that allows good pool, regardless of the mess of non-relevant thoughts?

Make sense?

Jeff Livingston

 

[Williebetmore]

I'm having problems mostly with number 2, internal distractions.
Jeff Livingston

JL,
For me, any practice session ends if I develop such distractions. Practice sessions are only of value to me, if each and every stroke is made with utmost care.

To achieve this requires absolute reliance on mechanics and pre-shot routine. Always the same; evaluating each stroke based on how well you delivered the cue; NOT based on the results of the shot. All you can control is how well you strike the cue ball; and there should be no thoughts of anything but your stroke.

This kind of practice is a bit of a strain - but the longer you do it , the better your ability to focus will be. A mind that is empty of all thoughts save the stroke, is one that can deliver well under pressure, and can maintain top form the longest (this is of course in contradistinction to a mind that is just empty - like breakup's - which of course just leads to pathological yet disgusting behavior). It CAN be practiced.

 

[Fred]

Anyone have any advice for NOT thinking about other stuff during a runout?

Jeff Livingston[/QUOTE]

You know how you can get a song stuck in your head and it wont go away.
There have been times when this has happened to me and I really played well.
Very good thread by the way.
Justin Nuder

 

[supergreenman]

I've noticed some players have posted their goals for this year's tourney. I was wondering of any of you have thought ahead to next year's DMMHT and what scores you'd like to have then? And I was wondering if you looked back at last year's scores before you started this year?

Good questions mr. jeff the cheff dude. Since this is my first year doing the Drivermaker, I can't look back on last year. That being said, I'm already looking ahead to next years DMHT, I've added the Q skills challenge to my practice routine for the very reason that wise Betmore dude says. It helps your concentration.

As a matter of fact I was doing it last night in preparation for a tournament I'm in on New Years Eve. With races to 11 8-ball it's going to be important to keep my concentration up because there's no shortage of good players in my bracket.

 

[chefjeff]

JL,
For me, any practice session ends if I develop such distractions. Practice sessions are only of value to me, if each and every stroke is made with utmost care.

To achieve this requires absolute reliance on mechanics and pre-shot routine. Always the same; evaluating each stroke based on how well you delivered the cue; NOT based on the results of the shot. All you can control is how well you strike the cue ball; and there should be no thoughts of anything but your stroke.

This kind of practice is a bit of a strain - but the longer you do it , the better your ability to focus will be. A mind that is empty of all thoughts save the stroke, is one that can deliver well under pressure, and can maintain top form the longest (this is of course in contradistinction to a mind that is just empty - like breakup's - which of course just leads to pathological yet disgusting behavior). It CAN be practiced.

Maybe i'm thinking of this as a competition when it would better to think of it as practice for competition. But I wanna get my 120 average, damnit!

Where's that magic button? Don't tell me it doesn't exist!

Thanks Wee Willie. I'm gonna put the playing of this game into my goals for 2007. Maybe play it once per day, 5 days a week? Or would it be better to play it 5 times in one day, once per week? Think? Comments?

Jeff Livingston

 

[lewdo26]

I did not compete last year or the year before, but I'm learning from you guys how to walk the talk, and how that's at least as important, if not more, than getting a good score.

Anyway, I was hoping to get to 500 this time, but it looks unlikely since I got 375 after 4 sessions. It would take my highest score tomorrow for me to beat myself.

I played one session on a significantly tight table and every shot was in doubt. Today I didn't play too well, but I hung in there. The poolhall was a ZOO and I don't think I took a single shot without some kid walking in my line of sight.

But I told myself, that it is exactly because of these additional challenges that I should go ahead and play my best, without allowing myself to be discouraged.

Next year I certainly intend to go past the 600 mark. Cheers.

 

[Williebetmore]

Where's that magic button? Don't tell me it doesn't exist!

Thanks Wee Willie. I'm gonna put the playing of this game into my goals for 2007. Maybe play it once per day, 5 days a week? Or would it be better to play it 5 times in one day, once per week? Think? Comments?

Jeff Livingston

JL,
I like the idea of 5 racks a day for at least 14 days. Do this a few times a year and I think you will receive maximum benefit in terms of improving concentration (of course, ONLY if you are giving your maximum attention to each stroke during the session). JMO

This is the one aspect of the game that competitive straight pool helps greatly. After 2 hours of play, most games come down to who plays best those last 20 or 30 balls - and it really teaches you to focus on each and every shot.

 

[chefjeff]

JL,
For me, any practice session ends if I develop such distractions. (snip).

I attempt to stop mine, too, when my mind wanders. One problem that I've mentioned before is that my pool table is about 3 feet behind me right now, so I can "practice" whenever I want to take a break from my work (or AZing ). This can create an environment where careless practices come more easliy. If I had to get dressed, drive 5 miles to the hall, pay money, then I might be more into the practice session, so to speak.

Anyway, I'm thinking that structured time-frames for practicing/playing might help with these internal distractions and careless attention problems. Since I'm currently doing my calendar setups and goal acheivement process for 2007, I think I'm going to schedule, much more carefully, my practice sessions...which are going to include the DMMHT game.

Jeff Livingston

 

[SoundWaves]

I attempt to stop mine, too, when my mind wanders. One problem that I've mentioned before is that my pool table is about 3 feet behind me right now, so I can "practice" whenever I want to take a break from my work (or AZing ). This can create an environment where careless practices come more easliy. If I had to get dressed, drive 5 miles to the hall, pay money, then I might be more into the practice session, so to speak.

Anyway, I'm thinking that structured time-frames for practicing/playing might help with these internal distractions and careless attention problems. Since I'm currently doing my calendar setups and goal acheivement process for 2007, I think I'm going to schedule, much more carefully, my practice sessions...which are going to include the DMMHT game.

Jeff Livingston

I have had the same problems this year. Last new years I vowed to step my game up a notch and the only game I improved was in my basement. I know It's in there I will structure my practice this year, and do my best to make ever minute of it count so I can bring my game some consistency.

 

[chefjeff]

JL,
I like the idea of 5 racks a day for at least 14 days. (snip)

I like that, too, more than one a day for whatever. It should only take about 1/2 hour, so that can easily fit into my schedule.

Not sure if 1/2 hour is enough to get past my short-term sensational play vs. my long-term suckiness, but we'll see. If you look at my scores, I've shot a 20 on the first rack of the first four rounds (no cheating!), then fell off quickly after that. That tells me, when I'm "into it," I do just fine, but staying "into it" is my problem, for sure. I'm losing focus, big time! I think league play contributes to this problem, as I shoot a game, sit, sit, sit, shoot a game, sit, sit, sit, etc. But put the games together and BAM!, I suck for the final ones.

Thanks guys for the help here, and I look forward to more hands-on advice from you all.

Jeff Livingston

 

[Williebetmore]

I like that, too, more than one a day for whatever. It should only take about 1/2 hour, so that can easily fit into my schedule.

Not sure if 1/2 hour is enough to get past my short-term sensational play vs. my long-term suckiness, but we'll see.
Jeff Livingston

Jeff,
Not to make you feel bad; but during one of the phases that Mark Wilson had me work through, I played the equivalent of 20 racks like this a day (for 28 days during "Phase 2"). The 20 racks was about half of the daily workout.

If it was easy, everyone would do it.

 

[chefjeff]

Jeff,
Not to make you feel bad; but during one of the phases that Mark Wilson had me work through, I played the equivalent of 20 racks like this a day (for 28 days during "Phase 2"). The 20 racks was about half of the daily workout.

If it was easy, everyone would do it.

Wow, that's thought provoking. I could do that, but will I? Must think.

Meanwhile, here's a related email I just received about an NY Times article. Enjoy and may it help:

What Can You REALLY Accomplish This Year?

This may be overload, after the email I sent yesterday and if it is,
I apologize in advance. But I was inspired by an article I read in
The New York Times and I think this story will inspire you.

It’s about Suzan-Lori Parks, a dreadlocked, 43-year-old
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright who, in 2002, decided she would
write a play a day for a year! Now that’s a huge goal!

Think about that. One play every single day for a year!

How is it possible to even imagine that you could write a play a day for
365 days in a row? And even if it were possible to imagine, how could you do it?

How did she do it?

Did she wake up early every morning -- get to it -- and not stop until she was done?
Did she work on other projects first (she is also a screenwriter and novelist) and
then get to her plays at night? And how much did she write?

According to the NYT, some of the plays were "only a few pages long" -
but that doesn't detract from her achievement. She gave herself an almost
unthinkable goal -- and accomplished it.

And she did it the smart way: She didn't put a minimum length on each play.
She let each one take its own length. That's a clever way to do something great.

Her willingness to set the goal and her method for achieving it gives us something to
think about for 2007.

Thoughts?

Jeff Livingston