Improving at anything is a journey. Drills are fine, the right stroke technique drills are what's important, shot drills not so much. Pool is an extremely difficult game, moving up in ranks is a series of steps. When a step finally clicks mentally and physically, you advance, maybe 1/2 a ball, maybe 2 balls, nothing is a gimme.That's tough. I'm definitely not progressing as fast as I'd like, but I do see progress. My frustration is that my game performance doesn't seem to improve even though I get better at the drills I do. I have to admit that I'm a bit of a pessimist, I expect a lot and feel like the worse games are me failing to live up to my potential, it's rare that I shoot better than I think I should. I need to get my head straight, not my stroke.
You should expect a lot out of yourself, everyone should. When you are struggling, thinking you should be doing better, not near your potential, filling your head with pessimistic thoughts is a recipe for failure, and a very, very long road to improvement.
The second things go bad run a quick check through your head, analyze it, and move on, quickly.
Don't dwell and mope that you missed a shot because you stood up, miscued, took your eye off the ball,etc, etc.
Send positive messages to your brain, dont let up, put yourself above yourself.
Remind yourself, what am I doing when I'm doing it right, I'm relaxed, loose, comfortable in my stance, dropping in softly, soft eyes, my stroke feels smooth, in control of my cueball, bridge is soild, my bridge is at 100% as I drop down, I'm not fumbling, I'm staying down, focused,,,etc, etc. etc.,,,,,,
I feel good, solid, I'm hitting on all cylinders, I'm locked in,, in tune.
You're going to miss, everyone misses, champs miss hangers, don't dwell when you miss, move on.
Think positive, or the end of the world lives in your head..... Bring your stroke.