Embracing reality, no longer improving my game

I'll tell you this, there is no evidence nor is it a fact that improvement can't happen without hours and hours or practice. I'm sure many have said that they are in the same boat as you and i'm no different, what is different is that my game is improving and becoming more consistent with only two day (at best) of table time, play on sunday practice "if i get a chance" some random day during the week if i don't have work.
I have lately been able to (don't ask me how, all i know is that i've been working on it for years) tap into a mental state where I not only retain and maintain a quality of practice with the little time that I have, and it must be noticeable cause my peers are the ones commenting on my game over the past few month it being the longest playing i've done in a while although it's only on a sunday.

I always have (and it's my biggest flaw) been concerned about the quality of my play over the goal of winning, so execution and form is what give me satisfaction during this time that you mention and as a result I do end up winning most of my matches even winning last seasons event.

So in closing the answer to your question from my eyes would be to find a new goal and let that be your drive and joy, I don't know what your level is but focusing on PSR, Form/Fundatments and execution, being able to be more consistent at these things should bring you joy and also at times result in you winning but surely this depends on your take on loosing, I don't mind loosing as long as I played well or up to my standard it's loosing and playing bad that bugs me the most with winning and playing bad being a close second.

Best of luck.
 
DrCue'sProtege said:
Don't waste your time reading Pleasure of Small Motions. A complete waste of time.

r/DCP
Click to expand...

Thank you...

Look pool changes...like we do. Pool is tough action . I coukd see attending a few big events and several regionals. The weekly local scene is dead and action...the pool hall is like a library.

Still got tables home, play in winter months. Spring is here, after SBE let it die til fall.

Enjoy your family, all that really matters in the end.
 
cueenvy said:
Thank you...

Look pool changes...like we do. Pool is tough action . I coukd see attending a few big events and several regionals. The weekly local scene is dead and action...the pool hall is like a library.

Still got tables home, play in winter months. Spring is here, after SBE let it die til fall.

Enjoy your family, all that really matters in the end.
Click to expand...

So very true.

Cheers,

JL (Off to job # 2...)
 
Health

jalapus logan said:
Well, it’s sad but true. I have reached a plateau and am not improving, nor do I expect to. I have the desire to improve, but not the time to practice in order to make that happen. I made the decision to take on a part time job and another seasonal summer job a couple of years ago in addition to my full time gig. Doing all of that and trying to stay married has cut waaaaayyy down on my available pool time. Hey, we all have to make decisions in life, and this one is ultimately right for me. But, I find myself growing frustrated at the table knowing that I can do better, but also knowing that I can’t devote the time to do so.

Long story short, I still enjoy the game, but am having trouble reconciling my constant desire to improve with my current reality. Maybe at age 38 I am still pining for the carefree days a decade or so ago.

Any suggestions as to how to lighten up and to just enjoy the game on these terms?
Click to expand...

Put scotch tape over your tip, don't chalk up and practice hitting center cue ball.
There is only one reason your game isn't improving.
Your practice isn't being productive.
 
Here's my advice.......

"Never take pool, or golf, so seriously that you start enjoying it less than before."

The game is meant to be satisfying and just enjoy the moments otherwise you deny
yourself any chance of finding a measure of satisfaction. Are you intending to enter
some upcoming important pool tournament?...No. Are you planning to gamble money
on your game more often?...No. Are you preoccupied with envisioning yourself as an
elite pool player acknowledged by your peers? ....Well, maybe....how would or could
I ever know what you are thinking.

My point is your are in the prime of your life, working extra hard to get ahead financially
and you also aren't a bachelor any longer........your expectations to improve needs to get
in better alignment with your life's activities and responsibilities.....your knowledge of the
game can always be expanded and your can practice to apply that information when the
time & opportunity allow.......based upon your schedule of course.

Stop having expectations and just start enjoying pool for itself.....the wonderment.....the
fascination.......the complexity.........the dexterity.......the principles......expand your own
knowledge of pool along the way you are living your life.........you've hopefully got at least
another 55 years of pool playing that awaits you. Still plenty of time to improve & become great.

Anyway, reconciliation and acceptance of one's circumstances & priorities should help balance things.


Matt B.
 
Bavafongoul said:
Here's my advice.......

"Never take pool, or golf, so seriously that you start enjoying it less than before."

The game is meant to be satisfying and just enjoy the moments otherwise you deny
yourself any chance of finding a measure of satisfaction. Are you intending to enter
some upcoming important pool tournament?...No. Are you planning to gamble money
on your game more often?...No. Are you preoccupied with envisioning yourself as an
elite pool player acknowledged by your peers? ....Well, maybe....how would or could
I ever know what you are thinking.

My point is your are in the prime of your life, working extra hard to get ahead financially
and you also aren't a bachelor any longer........your expectations to improve needs to get
in better alignment with your life's activities and responsibilities.....your knowledge of the
game can always be expanded and your can practice to apply that information when the
time & opportunity allow.......based upon your schedule of course.

Stop having expectations and just start enjoying pool for itself.....the wonderment.....the
fascination.......the complexity.........the dexterity.......the principles......expand your own
knowledge of pool along the way you are living your life.........you've hopefully got at least
another 55 years of pool playing that awaits you. Still plenty of time to improve & become great.

Anyway, reconciliation and acceptance of one's circumstances & priorities should help balance things.


Matt B.
Click to expand...

Wow, what a post this is.
Fantastic insight, Mr B.
:thumbup:

I'm 38, married with young kids, but my aggressive hobby is pool. Aside from working full-time and carting kids to practice or playgrounds, and keeping a regular schedule at the gym to stay fit, I follow your logic in every way.

The best move was getting my own table in the basement. Even on a busy day, I can fit in an hour of intense drills or work on the table and still be upstairs to put the kids to bed.

More importantly, like stated above, to the OP, this is a long haul grind for folks who can't devote 8 hrs a day to the table. I have made it a part of my daily life. If not able to be at the table, like now, waiting for my son's practice to get over, I'm on this forum reading and learning...or watching matches via YouTube. I have the latest copy of billiards digest just finished and the book "The Hustler and the Champ" next to me that I've been slowly pecking away at when I get a few minutes.

I enjoy the game and the learning process. It's a hobby that pays off dividends in the long term. But it's also a sport and mentally I believe the game keeps me more aware and healthy in body and mind.

In other words, it sure beats collecting stamps. :grin:

To the OP, hang in there, and if all possible, get your own table-that way you can keep the learning consistent, even if it's an hour a day.

I once ran across the United States - 3, 143 miles, 5 pairs of running shoes, 132 days - if I took anything away from that was that it's all about small steps and focused on the here and now. If I looked up and saw the endless road in front of me, mentally you would get defeated, so I learned at the most difficult times to look down at the asphalt, and shorten my strides-gather myself and focus on one step at a time. At the end of the day I put together 30 miles, sometimes just 10 but add it all together and the goal is realized.

Lateral that to pool and just set goals to be better and more focused than you were yesterday. don't look up and see the entire game because you will become defeated in comparing yourself to those who are on different paths. One day at a time, one step at a time in a few years you could shock yourself at where you've arrived.
 
Last edited:
Very few people do improve once they have played for a very few years
after 4 or 5 years improvement climbs on a very slow upward angle,if that

join the crowd

i know this is not politically correct,but when i hear an older player talking
about getting good and going on the road or tournaments etc

I think,I wonder if he would like to bet on that

Most of the time i seriously wonder if they can even beat me

I was always eager to find out

I know this may bust your bubble,but when i was a gambler
golf or pool, i would often take lessons just to get action with the teachers

and their students when possible
 
Last edited:
I would add that before you decide it's all over and you have plateaued, make sure that you really have taken an honest, structured approach to your practice first. We often reach conclusions about our limits without putting in the necessary work to test those theories. It may very well turn out that you understand your limits accurately, but before you reach that conclusion do something like Dr. Dave's VEPP or VEPS, join a league, do anything besides just hitting balls (the practice of choice for most players). Your still young for this game. Will you turn pro. . no. Can you still notch some improvement? Most likely yes.

But you can't stress out about it. It is, after all, a game. A beautiful game, but a game nonetheless.
 
Beer for lessons?

Even a monkey has to learn to climb. Well monkey,try this. Follow every shot. You will see that will put a natural spin on the ball that forces it to drop.
Nick :)
 
Cameron Smith said:
I agree with PT. And his statement is backed up by psychological research too! Those who exhibit and maintain what is called a growth mindset are more likely to improve than those who feel that learning and improvement is unlikely.

Search for Carol Dweck for more info.

Even with limited practice you can still improve. Just don't try to overhaul your technique. Small adjustments and better shot selection can still make a big difference. And you never know what will happen in 5-10 years time. 38 is still pretty young.
Click to expand...

This post reminds me of the best phone I got in the pool world in 25 years.

Earl 90s....

A man named David came to me once and asked me "How can I get better?"
( he was a 7 at the Monday night Shooters 9-ball )
...he had a good stance and a good stroke and could spin the ball.

He was playing on the old Quebec/Ontario tour back then and was going that weekend.
...so I said "David, I want you to stay till the last ball drops....and come back and tell me what shots you've seen that you can't do."

He phoned me on Monday and said "I see what you mean...I can do them all."

Two weeks later he went to Quebec again...he called me from the venue...
He said "I WON!!!!!!!!"

Within 3 months, David won the Shooters tournament as a 9-2.

Many times, our logic over-rules our talent...there is a better player within us all.
 
Y'all came with some meaningful insights, some practical, some bordering on the profound. No time for pool today, but rest assured I'll be back in the saddle tomorrow evening. Well, I may not be able to find the saddle, so it might have to be bareback, lol.
 
Bavafongoul said:
Here's my advice.......

"Never take pool, or golf, so seriously that you start enjoying it less than before."

The game is meant to be satisfying and just enjoy the moments otherwise you deny
yourself any chance of finding a measure of satisfaction. Are you intending to enter
some upcoming important pool tournament?...No. Are you planning to gamble money
on your game more often?...No. Are you preoccupied with envisioning yourself as an
elite pool player acknowledged by your peers? ....Well, maybe....how would or could
I ever know what you are thinking.

My point is your are in the prime of your life, working extra hard to get ahead financially
and you also aren't a bachelor any longer........your expectations to improve needs to get
in better alignment with your life's activities and responsibilities.....your knowledge of the
game can always be expanded and your can practice to apply that information when the
time & opportunity allow.......based upon your schedule of course.

Stop having expectations and just start enjoying pool for itself.....the wonderment.....the
fascination.......the complexity.........the dexterity.......the principles......expand your own
knowledge of pool along the way you are living your life.........you've hopefully got at least
another 55 years of pool playing that awaits you. Still plenty of time to improve & become great.

Anyway, reconciliation and acceptance of one's circumstances & priorities should help balance things.


Matt B.
Click to expand...

This was worth reading again, thanks.
 
deanoc said:
Very few people do improve once they have played for a very few years
after 4 or 5 years improvement climbs on a very slow upward angle,if that

join the crowd

i know this is not politically correct,but when i hear an older player talking
about getting good and going on the road or tournaments etc

I think,I wonder if he would like to bet on that

Most of the time i seriously wonder if they can even beat me

I was always eager to find out

I know this may bust your bubble,but when i was a gambler
golf or pool, i would often take lessons just to get action with the teachers

and their students when possible
Click to expand...

I know I can't go on the road, my turn signal is broken.
 
pt109 said:
This post reminds me of the best phone I got in the pool world in 25 years.

Earl 90s....

A man named David came to me once and asked me "How can I get better?"
( he was a 7 at the Monday night Shooters 9-ball )
...he had a good stance and a good stroke and could spin the ball.

He was playing on the old Quebec/Ontario tour back then and was going that weekend.
...so I said "David, I want you to stay till the last ball drops....and come back and tell me what shots you've seen that you can't do."

He phoned me on Monday and said "I see what you mean...I can do them all."

Two weeks later he went to Quebec again...he called me from the venue...
He said "I WON!!!!!!!!"

Within 3 months, David won the Shooters tournament as a 9-2.

Many times, our logic over-rules our talent...there is a better player within us all.
Click to expand...

I can not bestow upon thy pate any more reputation units. So sayeth the AZB Gawds...
 
jalapus logan said:
I can not bestow upon thy pate any more reputation units. So sayeth the AZB Gawds...
Click to expand...

I tried to "got your back" and rep pt but like you I am out of greenies. Your game will improve as you get older...Patience is a virtue!

Staying married and beer are also important so give it a break and come on back on another day.
 
jalapus logan said:
I can not bestow upon thy pate any more reputation units. So sayeth the AZB Gawds...
Click to expand...

Cuebuddy said:
I tried to "got your back" and rep pt but like you I am out of greenies. Your game will improve as you get older...Patience is a virtue!

Staying married and beer are also important so give it a break and come on back on another day.
Click to expand...

I've had enough greenies for lifetime....

image.jpg
 
ur making the right decision and ur probly not gonna get much better until the time to practice becomes available.....that being said a happy wife and a balanced checking account are more important than running out or playing safe......I have met quite a few great players that said they should have focused on other things besides pool......but when the time becomes available make the most of it.....lessons,drills.learn something new
 
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