I just spent nine days "in the zone," my longest stay in over 10 years. Most likely ever.
The reason I bring this topic up is that last night when I discovered I was again out of the zone, I tried to remember the last time I was in it for that length of time (I can't recall. If ever, it was a long time ago). And what, if anything, might have contributed to the length of the stay.
Let me preface this by saying that I took a couple lessons in the previous weeks and I know or a fact that some of the things I learned have helped my game quite a bit. Let me insert a second preface here by saying that for the last four months my game has been in the dumps with nary a hint of the zone anywhere in sight. In fact, two weeks ago, I was seriously considering selling all my cues and quitting the game. Which is why I took the lessons. I was desperate.
However, were the lessons so effective that they induced an extended trip to the zone? I'm not sure I believe that. Also, as anyone who's been to the zone knows, the zone has its own unique "feel." It's almost indescribable, but to me it feels like I can almost see/feel/hear/smell the scratches on the cue ball. Or "read" the rails and "see" where the dead spots are. I actually "see" a faint blue line from the cue ball to the object ball/rail and my internal Yoda says, "this hard, you must hit the ball."
Seriously, it felt almost as if energy and intensity were being poured into the top of my head. This feeling is not the product of lessons alone.
However, other than the lessons there are only two other factors I can think of that I changed from my regular routine recently. One, I switched back to my Meucci Power Piston Demo, a cue that I picked up earlier this year and spnt a significant amount of time shooting until a few weeks ago. And two, I took my vitamins everyday, including at least one 'revive' SmartWater within an hour of shooting.
Now, I am not saying that either of these factors were significant in getting to the zone or the duration of my stay in the zone. All I am saying is that right now these are the only two things I can think of that I changed that coincided with my getting to the zone.
So, dear readers, I have a couple questions for you. What's the longest you've been in the zone? And, is there anything you do personally to try to get there?
And for extra credit, what does the zone feel like to you?
My answers are: in any sport or activity I think a couple days at the most. Until this.
When I was a teenage athlete I did all kinds of superstituous things to ward off bad luck. I can't remember doing things specifically to try to get in the zone. Beyond normal things, like getting enough rest, eating right and the proper frequency, studying my opponents when possible, etc. I think I just assumed getting into the zone either happened or didn't.
The reason I bring this topic up is that last night when I discovered I was again out of the zone, I tried to remember the last time I was in it for that length of time (I can't recall. If ever, it was a long time ago). And what, if anything, might have contributed to the length of the stay.
Let me preface this by saying that I took a couple lessons in the previous weeks and I know or a fact that some of the things I learned have helped my game quite a bit. Let me insert a second preface here by saying that for the last four months my game has been in the dumps with nary a hint of the zone anywhere in sight. In fact, two weeks ago, I was seriously considering selling all my cues and quitting the game. Which is why I took the lessons. I was desperate.
However, were the lessons so effective that they induced an extended trip to the zone? I'm not sure I believe that. Also, as anyone who's been to the zone knows, the zone has its own unique "feel." It's almost indescribable, but to me it feels like I can almost see/feel/hear/smell the scratches on the cue ball. Or "read" the rails and "see" where the dead spots are. I actually "see" a faint blue line from the cue ball to the object ball/rail and my internal Yoda says, "this hard, you must hit the ball."
Seriously, it felt almost as if energy and intensity were being poured into the top of my head. This feeling is not the product of lessons alone.
However, other than the lessons there are only two other factors I can think of that I changed from my regular routine recently. One, I switched back to my Meucci Power Piston Demo, a cue that I picked up earlier this year and spnt a significant amount of time shooting until a few weeks ago. And two, I took my vitamins everyday, including at least one 'revive' SmartWater within an hour of shooting.
Now, I am not saying that either of these factors were significant in getting to the zone or the duration of my stay in the zone. All I am saying is that right now these are the only two things I can think of that I changed that coincided with my getting to the zone.
So, dear readers, I have a couple questions for you. What's the longest you've been in the zone? And, is there anything you do personally to try to get there?
And for extra credit, what does the zone feel like to you?
My answers are: in any sport or activity I think a couple days at the most. Until this.
When I was a teenage athlete I did all kinds of superstituous things to ward off bad luck. I can't remember doing things specifically to try to get in the zone. Beyond normal things, like getting enough rest, eating right and the proper frequency, studying my opponents when possible, etc. I think I just assumed getting into the zone either happened or didn't.
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