For those of you that know me, the fact that I am interested in writing on this topic should not come as a surprise. Those closest to me know that I am a highly analytical person, often unable to control the expansive series of processes that are my mind. I am who I am so, instead of changing that, I have shifted my efforts to harnessing my mental capacity. Let's go back in time briefly.
About eighteen months ago, I achieved my highest level of performance on the pool table. In fall of 2011, I actually won three tournaments in a row, a qualifier for the US Amateur Championships, the Women's Master Single's title at the Western BCA Regional 9 Ball Championships, and the ladies division title at the US Amateur Championships. I was elated that I could perform under that kind of pressure in back to back to back events. That being said, I haven't won a tournament since. I can't help but feel like there is something missing. I have solid fundamentals, excellent equipment, and practice as much as I can with what free time I have. So why can't I win???
In the time leading up to those wins in the fall of 2011, I had been focusing all of my energy on being present, in this moment. When I would start making mistakes, instead of focusing on trying to figure out why I just made that mistake, I would constantly bring myself to center by saying "I am sitting in my chair. I am waiting for my turn." and when it was my turn at the table I would focus on making this ball with position for that ball. That was it, no rocket science, no ground breaking discovery. I had to let everything go. All of my expectations, all of my doubts, everything.... I truly believe that this is the absolute key to success both on and off the pool table. Putting myself in the right frame of mind to achieve optimimum performance is the first part, while putting myself in the position to perform at a higher level is the second. Essentially both parts are critical. If I wasn't putting myself in the position to lose big, I may never win big...
Truth be told, the better that you get at this game the harder it gets to win. Top level pool players are everywhere and until you get the experience of performing consistently under the same type of conditions, you won't be winning much of anything. I was recently in Reno for the US Bar Table Championships and a good friend was telling me what they were told the best thing about being a pro is... and that is that amateurs will fold because they are an amateur. They just don't have the mental edge they need to execute. People playing top pros will dog shots and fail to run out when they should, just because of who they are playing (knowing that their opponent will get out if they don't). I have experienced this first hand during the 2012 WPBA US Open. I played Allison Fisher in the first round (brutal draw, yes, but I was thrilled). I jumped out to a 2-0 lead, then faltered in several racks throughout the rest of the match; overstroking, understroking, you name it, I did it, or didn't do it, however you want to look at it. My confidence was high starting out, but slowly waned throughout the match with each error that I made in execution. The final 2-9 score was not because I didn't have opportunities, it was because I didn't/couldn't capitalize. Painful as it was, I learned more about myself during that match than I did while winning the most prestigious amateur event in the US. I will never know how far I can go, unless I continue to put myself in positions to play the worlds best.
In 2013, I will continue to work on my mental game and hopefully achieve more successful outcomes in my pool tournaments. I have lots of opportunities for success, so am hopeful that by staying present I will minimize my errors and make better decisions during competition.
Off the table, I have just begun a 21 day meditation challenge, called Perfect Health with Deepak Chopra and Oprah as its facilitators. I am also reading The Art of Learning by Josh Waitzkin and have several other books that have been recommended to me by my health/pool mentor. By refining strategies to center myself, I hope to find a balance in my physical, mental, and spiritual well being that will correlate to my ability to achieve optimum levels of performance on the pool table. We'll see how all of this works out. Bottom line, if you can not be here, right now, you are never going to achieve the prowess you desire at any skill. I am very interested in receiving feedback on this piece because I know that many pool players hone their mental strengths through various media and exercises. What are you doing? What are you reading? How are you going to take it to the next level?
Come back soon, more exciting pieces are in the works :) Let's do this... SOS
