Power of the mind
- Thread starter Neil
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Well written Neil. About a year or so, there was a player that until that night had always outplayed me in competition. One night, the stars laid perfectly and I beat him for the win in a tournament, I believe with a break and run in the mix. Afterwards, he said you'll never do that again. Happy to say, I have. Not too often, but I can beat him. The pressure is eased a little and it is a goal not a hope when I go to shoot him. Mental toughness is huge. By the same token, I have lost many a match being preoccupied in thought. I think we all do, especially when playing down to an opponent. Good luck my friend.
Good stuff there Neil.
I've been thinking about something similar recently:
Have you ever played someone that has their own game way overrated? I know I have. I'm referring to the guys that think they should be running out all the time but they don't realize (or won't admit) that they really don't have the ability to do so. The one thing that these guys have that I don't is an over abundance of CONFIDENCE! I've seen this confidence help these types of players win matches that they have no business winning. In the long run I think this can really hurt one's game since it's not as easy to identify your weaknesses when you aren't honest with yourself but I do admire that confidence.
How this ties in to your post is that I think one of my biggest mental road blocks is knowing where I actually stand as a player. Since I know what I'm capable of doing in practice, I think I tend to put limitations on what I can accomplish while competing.
I'm thinking that walking in to a room and truly believing you are the best player in the room can really help your game - even if that isn't based in reality.
I've been thinking about something similar recently:
Have you ever played someone that has their own game way overrated? I know I have. I'm referring to the guys that think they should be running out all the time but they don't realize (or won't admit) that they really don't have the ability to do so. The one thing that these guys have that I don't is an over abundance of CONFIDENCE! I've seen this confidence help these types of players win matches that they have no business winning. In the long run I think this can really hurt one's game since it's not as easy to identify your weaknesses when you aren't honest with yourself but I do admire that confidence.
How this ties in to your post is that I think one of my biggest mental road blocks is knowing where I actually stand as a player. Since I know what I'm capable of doing in practice, I think I tend to put limitations on what I can accomplish while competing.
I'm thinking that walking in to a room and truly believing you are the best player in the room can really help your game - even if that isn't based in reality.
Neil there are a couple of sayings that I think fit.
You have to believe to achieve!
The words (or thoughts) come out of your mouth and go in YOUR ears first!
I too believe that we hold ourselves back with negative thoughts or fears.
When you question yourself you have already failed.
Mark
You have to believe to achieve!
The words (or thoughts) come out of your mouth and go in YOUR ears first!
I too believe that we hold ourselves back with negative thoughts or fears.
When you question yourself you have already failed.
Mark
Good post - insightful stuff.
But I think the manners in which we sabotage ourselves are myriad.
Years ago I entered a local money-added tourney. I showed up to play and nearly walked out out when I saw the strength of the field;
every strong player in a city of half a million (and beyond) was there. And I figured I had no business there when I learned it was an 8-ball event. But I stayed and started doubtful play as if in a coma. In the first match I was down 2-0 in a race to 3, finally pocketed a few balls and then faced a nasty back-cut bank. What happened next was that (certainly unknown to me at the time) I simply quit sabotaging myself. I walked the table, studied the table, focused, fell into a routine where I trusted what I saw. Of course I spanked it in. Of course I ran out. Of course I stole the set. And the next seven or so sets as well which put me into the finals the following day. A willingness to keep focus (and some positive self-talk) had put me in front of a crowd of finals spectators who had never seen me play before. I did place second but I also played up to my potential - I was simply outclassed by a master of safety play who clearly was not sabotaging himself either!
I can't seem to read this post without considering much of what you reference occurs unwittingly between conscious and subconscious states. I myself have struggled to realize how players in various situations, and yes, some higher than a Georgia pine, exhibit amazing abilities without repeat, rhyme, or reason. Through extensive reading about why I seem to wear a necktie two sizes too small when shootin' at the money ball, I believe wholeheartedly these inexplicable instances are associated. Now if I could just find the switch !!
Great thread and post Neil.... I quoted the above because it amazes me how much better I play when I am pissed off, everything shuts off and it me and the table. It should be like that all the time but it is not. Again great threa and great read.
Thanks
Fake it till you make it. :thumbup:
A good player told me once, "If you want to be the best player around, you have to start believing that you are a long time before it actually happens."
Neil
Excellent post. You put into words something that I have been thinking a lot about lately.
I think one of the reasons we "believe" the negative, is because it is easier to believe it. For example, we "missed" that shot because it was a difficult shot...beyond our normal ability. It is the mind's way of justifying.
I am trying to overcome this. I was playing in a small tourney this week. I shot against player who was playing fairly decent...but I should have beat him easily. I didn't. In fact, I lost. Not sure what it was...but I can tell you I dogged 2 or 3 easy shots to give him the out (over the course of a couple of games). My mind wasn't on the game and it was easy to go back to the negative way of thinking.
I'm going to start telling myself something before each game...sort of like a mantra. Something to the effect of "I'm going to shoot well...I'm going to get good position...I'm going to see the patterns, etc." If I can not sabotage myself...I know I can shoot better.
The weird thing is that I am generally a positive person on all things in life...except myself. Don't know why, but it shows in my pool game.
Anyway...thanks for the post
John
Excellent post. You put into words something that I have been thinking a lot about lately.
I think one of the reasons we "believe" the negative, is because it is easier to believe it. For example, we "missed" that shot because it was a difficult shot...beyond our normal ability. It is the mind's way of justifying.
I am trying to overcome this. I was playing in a small tourney this week. I shot against player who was playing fairly decent...but I should have beat him easily. I didn't. In fact, I lost. Not sure what it was...but I can tell you I dogged 2 or 3 easy shots to give him the out (over the course of a couple of games). My mind wasn't on the game and it was easy to go back to the negative way of thinking.
I'm going to start telling myself something before each game...sort of like a mantra. Something to the effect of "I'm going to shoot well...I'm going to get good position...I'm going to see the patterns, etc." If I can not sabotage myself...I know I can shoot better.
The weird thing is that I am generally a positive person on all things in life...except myself. Don't know why, but it shows in my pool game.
Anyway...thanks for the post
John
Eq
Just yesterday I was reviewing some training materials. A few years ago I took a one-week course on emotional intelligence.
One takeaway is, "Do the deed."
From the course:
The previous wisdom of much of our childhood training and conditioning in this culture is:
1. Thought (mental)
2. Word (emotional)
3. Deed (physical)
The trainer then suggests:
Another approach may prove to be more rewarding and take less time. Reverse the process. Try:
1. Deed (physical)
2. Word (emotional)
3. Thought (mental)
Without requiring any external evidence, guarantees, or support, do the deed. Without needing your mind to agree with you, do the deed.
It's really the same as fake it till you make it.
I'll say this, I've made many shots in competition that I can't make in practice. I can set these up, from 5 rail kicks in traffic to crazy masses, and try them again and again, but can't execute. But I drilled them in competition. I did it without giving it much thought. I saw the line and and didn't talk myself out of the shot.
The best part? I barely cracked a smile when it happened. Why? Becuase I was trying to make the shot. And I expected to make it. So why be surprised when it happens? After it sinks in (thought), then I can't believe it.
Ever miss a shot and think, I didn't think I'd make that one. Well, that's why you missed.
Karl
Just yesterday I was reviewing some training materials. A few years ago I took a one-week course on emotional intelligence.
One takeaway is, "Do the deed."
From the course:
The previous wisdom of much of our childhood training and conditioning in this culture is:
1. Thought (mental)
2. Word (emotional)
3. Deed (physical)
The trainer then suggests:
Another approach may prove to be more rewarding and take less time. Reverse the process. Try:
1. Deed (physical)
2. Word (emotional)
3. Thought (mental)
Without requiring any external evidence, guarantees, or support, do the deed. Without needing your mind to agree with you, do the deed.
It's really the same as fake it till you make it.
I'll say this, I've made many shots in competition that I can't make in practice. I can set these up, from 5 rail kicks in traffic to crazy masses, and try them again and again, but can't execute. But I drilled them in competition. I did it without giving it much thought. I saw the line and and didn't talk myself out of the shot.
The best part? I barely cracked a smile when it happened. Why? Becuase I was trying to make the shot. And I expected to make it. So why be surprised when it happens? After it sinks in (thought), then I can't believe it.
Ever miss a shot and think, I didn't think I'd make that one. Well, that's why you missed.
Karl
I agree with your post, but I singled out the point above to comment on.
I don't know about anybody else on here, but I have played pool for well over 40 years and I can guarantee I have shot literally MILLIONS of shots...as a kid working in a pool hall and then for numerous years of playing 5 to 10 (or more) hours a day, 5 to 7 days a week.
I HONESTLY believe that, at one time or another, I have made EVERY possible shot that can be made on a pool table. I HAVE YET to see ANY shot made by a Pro (in person or on TV) that I have NOT made at least once. I'm not talking about slamming the ball around and lucking in a 7-rail bank, multiple kiss-type BS shot...I'm talking a MAKEABLE CALL-TYPE shot that occurs on multiple occasions during the course of playing over a period of time.
I think the separation between the amateurs and the pros is, "they are confident and make the shots consistently".
I've had days where Ray Charles could have spotted me the last two and I've had other days where I literally made 95% or better of every makeable shot I had. I know that I have or had the knowledge or ability to make every shot that ANY pro makes, but for some reason it is hard to channel that into 100% every day, every session.
I actually think it is easier for young people today to get "good" faster than the older days, if they put in the time and practice utilizing the proper techniques. Today's conditions, with better (in some people opinion) equipment (faster cloth, rails, etc.), is a totally different playing environment than back in the earlier days. When I watch pool today on TV, it seems like "bunting" instead of "stroking". In times past, you had to put some "oooomph" in your stroke on almost every shot to get around the table...now you can "bump" it around without much effort (not necessarily to where you want it, but you can cover a long distance with less effort).
These comments are my opinion only, so feel free to agree or disagree...that is your perogative.
TheThaiger
Banned
The best of the best are the best because they're the best.
This yearning for an answer about why we're not pros reminds me of a religious zealot, who has a pathological NEED to find reason for his existence through rampant god-bothering.
The best of the best are the best because they're the best. That is all.
This yearning for an answer about why we're not pros reminds me of a religious zealot, who has a pathological NEED to find reason for his existence through rampant god-bothering.
The best of the best are the best because they're the best. That is all.
Thanks to all of you for your thoughts on this particular subject. I have had these same thoughts for a long time regarding not only my game but also other areas in life as well. And what I mean by this is if one can not imagine themselves being financially well off or being the kind of person they really want to be then they will never reach that point in their life.
Case in point...I interviewed for a job yesterday. The kind of job that could change/improve my families future. I always dreamed of a job like this but could never actually see myself landing one. Then again, I may not but it appears that I am 1 of 2 final candidates at this point. So, it seems that pipe dreams can come true if you only believe in yourself and your abilities. Great thread, Neil!!!
Gary
TheThaiger
Banned
I agree with you. Pros are confident and make shots consistently because they're better players than us. They were better players than us when they first picked up a cue. They were better players than us when they made their first BnR. They were better players than us when they won their first tournament and they'll be better players than us when they die.
I must say, i find all this "it's only a matter of time before I find the magic formula and join the ranks of the elite" bullshit quite disturbing. Decadent nonsense.
I agree and can say the same thing for the most part in terms of making every type of shot (minus 5 rail power draws etc) at some point in my game. If you think about it how many times have you shot some sort of thin cut shot into the corner? Thousands if not tens of thousands of times? How big are the pockets in relation to the ball that goes into the pocket? Even if a table is tighter the pocket is wide enough that there is room for some degree of margin of error and still being able to make the shot whether it is hitting the shot softer on a cut shot down the rail (assuming the table is straight) or something else. The one thing about consistency is once you get to a certain level confidence can overide lack of skill (to an extent). Now if I have absolutely crummy fundamentals probably not, but I have seen guys that shoot lights out with soso fundamentals because they are confident/arrogant and just don't miss shots even though they play horrible shape. Of course not playing the good shape will bite them in the arse in some games but you get the point. Pool is a fun/cruel game sometimes...now back to Ray Charles.
