"I never know if I am going to show up." Is a statement I often make. Playing small tournaments nightly back in the day led me to that conclusion. The times I won usually had a do or die shot. If I made the shot it got easier from there. Confidence comes with success. Success comes with confidence.

I only recall one occasion where my confidence was shaken once I had it. I had made it to the point match in the White Spot big show 64 man tournament. My confidence got shaken when I missed a shot and was not sure why. That put me on tilt which led to me trailing 6-2 going to 7. Eek yikes and well my version of the self to self talk as I racked for the last time was similar to the Tin Cup caddy coaching.
Self to Self said:
"DON'T WORRY ABOUT LOOKING FOOLISH! You have already done That. Just quit handing him games. You are sure to loose from here so nothing to worry. Make him earn it!"
Is my best recollection of the pep talk. It worked and I won! I had released the tension by accepting the inevitable.
Saying, "just relax" is easy. Doing it ain't always so easy.

I just watched a new C J Wiley video on YouTube that has a similar message.