Zen approach?

JLW

JLW

Dunder Mifflin Salesman
Silver Member
Just thought I would throw out this idea to everyone. I can shoot lights out when I'm by myself down in the basement banging balls in, but when I play someone, I immediately begin to tighten up. My focus starts to wander, and I can feel myself begin to question my shots and to try to steer the ball instead of trusting my stroke. Most of the time I can play myself out of this tentative mindset after a few games, but it happens a lot the first few games of the night. So, a few weeks ago, I began experimenting with a new approach to playing.

What I have begun to do is to try to really enjoy the act of playing pool. Instead of approaching the game as a public test of my abilities and focusing soley on winning or losing, I am now looking at it as an opportunity to enjoy myself and practice the skills I have learned. I am not fixated on the end result (I must win), I am focusing on how much fun it is to play and on how I will choose to make the one shot that is in front of me. Sounds simple, but so far I have had really great results with this new approach. I am shooting with more confidence than ever before. I'd love to hear any comments or other approaches people have found useful.
 
JLW said:
Just thought I would throw out this idea to everyone. I can shoot lights out when I'm by myself down in the basement banging balls in, but when I play someone, I immediately begin to tighten up. My focus starts to wander, and I can feel myself begin to question my shots and to try to steer the ball instead of trusting my stroke. Most of the time I can play myself out of this tentative mindset after a few games, but it happens a lot the first few games of the night. So, a few weeks ago, I began experimenting with a new approach to playing.

What I have begun to do is to try to really enjoy the act of playing pool. Instead of approaching the game as a public test of my abilities and focusing soley on winning or losing, I am now looking at it as an opportunity to enjoy myself and practice the skills I have learned. I am not fixated on the end result (I must win), I am focusing on how much fun it is to play and on how I will choose to make the one shot that is in front of me. Sounds simple, but so far I have had really great results with this new approach. I am shooting with more confidence than ever before. I'd love to hear any comments or other approaches people have found useful.
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That's exactly it. You've got it.


Jude M. Rosenstock
 
Playing with joy definitely raises one's level of play. Seems you've discovered it for yourself. Bingo!
 
JLW said:
Just thought I would throw out this idea to everyone. I can shoot lights out when I'm by myself down in the basement banging balls in, but when I play someone, I immediately begin to tighten up. My focus starts to wander, and I can feel myself begin to question my shots and to try to steer the ball instead of trusting my stroke. Most of the time I can play myself out of this tentative mindset after a few games, but it happens a lot the first few games of the night. So, a few weeks ago, I began experimenting with a new approach to playing.

What I have begun to do is to try to really enjoy the act of playing pool. Instead of approaching the game as a public test of my abilities and focusing soley on winning or losing, I am now looking at it as an opportunity to enjoy myself and practice the skills I have learned. I am not fixated on the end result (I must win), I am focusing on how much fun it is to play and on how I will choose to make the one shot that is in front of me. Sounds simple, but so far I have had really great results with this new approach. I am shooting with more confidence than ever before. I'd love to hear any comments or other approaches people have found useful.
Click to expand...

What a concept...enjoying pool. wow...who'd thunk it?

I so glad to hear you are doing this, as I know the pool world is filled with unhappy "winners" who keep repeating the same thoughts and actions that slowly wear away their happiness, vs. adding to it. Each potted ball subtracts from their happiness; each loss encourages the desire to work harder at being unhappier.

This cycle can be stopped, as you have discovered. And the best part is, you're playing better pool, too. Pool that is fully and HONESTLY integrated with the reality (no b/s'ing here) of one's life always results in more happiness, and that usually leads to better shots...not always, but usually.

Happiness is long-term; pleasure is a moment. You've figured out how to combine the two...congratulations on your remarkable acheivement.

The ONLY shot there is is THIS shot. Welcome to it....and enjoy.

Jeff Livingston
 
good post. I came to the same conclusion recently and
I have actually started to improve after 40 years.
Zen and the art of pocket billiards.



QUOTE=JLW]Just thought I would throw out this idea to everyone. I can shoot lights out when I'm by myself down in the basement banging balls in, but when I play someone, I immediately begin to tighten up. My focus starts to wander, and I can feel myself begin to question my shots and to try to steer the ball instead of trusting my stroke. Most of the time I can play myself out of this tentative mindset after a few games, but it happens a lot the first few games of the night. So, a few weeks ago, I began experimenting with a new approach to playing.

What I have begun to do is to try to really enjoy the act of playing pool. Instead of approaching the game as a public test of my abilities and focusing soley on winning or losing, I am now looking at it as an opportunity to enjoy myself and practice the skills I have learned. I am not fixated on the end result (I must win), I am focusing on how much fun it is to play and on how I will choose to make the one shot that is in front of me. Sounds simple, but so far I have had really great results with this new approach. I am shooting with more confidence than ever before. I'd love to hear any comments or other approaches people have found useful.[/QUOTE]
 
BEEEE THE BALLLLL


I think you are all right on with this. Unfortunately, I (just as in golf years ago) in pool anything short of perfect isn't good enough. So I'm doomed to everlasting unhappiness with my pool game. I guess I like it that way for some reason. What can I take up that can be done perfect easily?
 
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