Goals versus demand and happiness

ddadams

ddadams

Absolutely love this cue.
Silver Member
Am I the only one who set's goals in pool only to be let down by time I make it there?


I think it's because by the time I get there, I'm already thinking about all the other stuff I still need to fix and work on. I keep demanding more and more before I get to the baby step goal I wanted to get to.


I made a bet with a guy I play APA with 2 years ago - which was 1 year after I started playing roughly that I would be a 7 in APA by June of 2016.

Well I got some lessons from Lee Brett and 4 months later I went from being a "strong 4" (I hate saying that because let's be honest...) to a "strong" 6/6.

Then 2 months later a 6/7.

So I won, right?

Nah, he meant 7 in 8 ball not 9.


So well, finally after Thursday and not losing for a few sessions at all in 8 ball I got there.


Big whoop? I used to think it meant I'd be able to play a little or something.

I still completely suck at this game. My fundamentals are still shaky and a joke, my aim is piss poor, my stroke's a joke, and my mental game... Well - just look at what I just wrote.

The only good thing I have going for me is I may have been a Filipino in a past life with my kicking... Or I get lucky :D




Anyone else constantly making it to a goal only to realize it wasn't much a goal? Maybe I just need to set something ridiculously far out as a goal....
 
Goal setting and target making can only work for the student of pool, as education is a born leader.

Setting goals for playing pool, e.g. To play in US open or attend a major event is just simply a waste of time. So much BS in the game at the moment, but hopefully in time it can be changed.

Education = Prosperity :thumbup:
 
Goals

From Day 1 when I came back to playing in 2005, I have tried to have a list of things I work on in order when I get to a practice table and its helped a lot. Ive always loved to bank shots and have always included practice on this part of the game. Its helped me a lot with position play and kicking. I would tell anyone who was serious about pool to learn to play One Pocket even if they didn't like it at the time because it exposes problems in so many areas. You have to know without a doubt how you do what you do.
 
ddadams said:
Am I the only one who set's goals in pool only to be let down by time I make it there?


I think it's because by the time I get there, I'm already thinking about all the other stuff I still need to fix and work on. I keep demanding more and more before I get to the baby step goal I wanted to get to.


I made a bet with a guy I play APA with 2 years ago - which was 1 year after I started playing roughly that I would be a 7 in APA by June of 2016.

Well I got some lessons from Lee Brett and 4 months later I went from being a "strong 4" (I hate saying that because let's be honest...) to a "strong" 6/6.

Then 2 months later a 6/7.

So I won, right?

Nah, he meant 7 in 8 ball not 9.


So well, finally after Thursday and not losing for a few sessions at all in 8 ball I got there.


Big whoop? I used to think it meant I'd be able to play a little or something.

I still completely suck at this game. My fundamentals are still shaky and a joke, my aim is piss poor, my stroke's a joke, and my mental game... Well - just look at what I just wrote.

The only good thing I have going for me is I may have been a Filipino in a past life with my kicking... Or I get lucky :D




Anyone else constantly making it to a goal only to realize it wasn't much a goal? Maybe I just need to set something ridiculously far out as a goal....
Click to expand...

1st off ...congrats on making it to a 7/7. :thumbup:

you are possibly right that making it to a 7/7 is not much of a goal . now for a reality check...just because you are a 7/7 does not mean you are top dog ...well maybe in your area. a 7 in apa could be any thing from a c+ to semi pro.

there are a few 7's around here who can give other 7's all the breaks and 2 on the wire and win with ease in 8 ball.

have also seen a 9 win against a 7.. 75-10 in 9 ball.

how about setting your goal to win the us amateur ? is that a ridiculously far out enough goal for you ?

just trying to help you out :grin-square:

oh yea. i would be satisfied with your flaws if it made me a 7/7. :grin-square:
 
If you don't start young you will always struggle with this game IMO. There will always be the odd exception but you should probably temper your expectations a little.

Even when you reach a level where are comfortable calling yourself a pool player, improvement beyond that point can be glacial, even with lots of practice.

Goals are fine, but don't get hung up on them. Enjoyment is more important.
 
It sounds to me like you've hit "Expectations vs. Reality"

You expected that your life would be somehow different if you achieved your goal (Expectation), but found that you're still you and the world is still as it was before (Reality).
 
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