The power of positive thought?

asmith74

asmith74

Where I pay homage
Silver Member
There are always new threads on here about improving your mental game at the table. Mountains and mountains of books, videos, aiming systems and lessons have been suggested. While all of these may be helpful, I'll suggest that none of these are helpful without a positive attitude when it's your turn at the table. If you approach each appearance at the table as an opportunity to positively affect the rack for yourself or your team, your chances of employing your knowledge improve greatly. However, if you approach the table with a negative outlook, you'll see the table as a problem that needs to be solved rather than an opportunity for success. IMHO a positive attitude will always help you improve your game. Everyone will blow an easy run from time to time; everyone will get a lucky roll and run out. The point is to stay positive and view every appearance at the table as an opportunity to employ all that you have learned, despite the competition or the "slump" you’re in. I didn’t mean this post as a rant, but more as an idea on the fundamentals of the mental game.
 
Great Article, i will have to give it a whirl since i am in a slump right now. and nothing seems right !!!

-Steve
 
I've spent the last few years developing a complete belief that I will always win no matter what is happening. People say I'm insane, but I think confidence only works if you're crazy enough to believe you're going to win even when the facts are showing you otherwise. I've been wondering if the tournament and money game wins come more from my self confidence or everyone else folding under the pressure of everyone knowing I was probably going to win anyway. How can I win 9 out of 10 bar tournaments consistently, when they are races to one. The skill and luck don't add up to that high a win percentage. Anyone have a good answer? haven't heard one that made sense yet.
 
Apparently Louis Roberts used to have an audio tape of positives messages about perfect pool performance that he would listen to while he fell asleep. He was nearly invincible during this time and won the U.S. Open that year (1979). I've heard he lost the tape, others say it was stolen from him!
 
Nothing is more important than keeping a positive thought about the shot you are attempting now. Staying in the moment is imperative..... "apply yourself completely to each opportunity to strike a pool ball".... Mark Wilson.
 
The mental part in billiards is the most underestimated part-
NO TIME FOR NEGATIVE!
On this point you ll also see soon, if an instructor can show you more than just *how to hit the balls* :) (what s difficult enough :p)


lg
Ingo
 
JimS said:
Nothing is more important than keeping a positive thought about the shot you are attempting now. Staying in the moment is imperative..... "apply yourself completely to each opportunity to strike a pool ball".... Mark Wilson.
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Amen!!! You can never overdo it in the "Stay Positive" department. I too try to use a positive approach with each and every shot. Make something positive happen whether you are potting, shooting a safety, kicking, blocking a hole, jamming/clustering balls, creating distance, etc.

As far as potting balls is concerned, I wish I had a nickel for every time I've seen a player literally talk himself out of making a shot.

When faced with a really tough shot, my brain is always telling me "You CAN do this, now step up there and do it".

Maniac
 
The Pleasure of Small Motions

I am a student of "The Pleasure of Small Motions". That said, it is more important to understand the source of negative thoughts than to try to block them out.
 
what's that saying, 'thoughts become words, words become actions...' ? not a bad way to live between matches as well!
 
I am always finding ways to enjoy what I am doing or where I am at. If I was at the pool room I will try to enjoy the company around me. If I am losing to a strong player at the table I will try to enjoy the fact that I am at the table playing. If am at a tournament and not playing I will try to enjoy the players making demonstrations.

There are lots of ways to enjoy life. Winning all the tournaments and beating every player is a limited way to enjoy the time I have where I am.
 
asmith74 said:
...The point is to stay positive and view every appearance at the table as an opportunity to employ all that you have learned, despite the competition or the "slump" you’re in...
Click to expand...

Very true. I suggest that a positive mental attitude is especially important during slumps

I have just come out of a slump that lasted 3 days (the longest I have had for a year or two). It was not at all a bad experience though. My attitude was that being in a slump is a great opportunity.

The point is that you know that your game is not perfect; that you occasionally get things wrong. But when you are in a slump, you are getting those things very wrong and doing so for a prolonged time. That is an excellent opportunity to work out exactly what your flaws are what you need to do to correct them. :thumbup:
 
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