What is your strength?

The point of power is always in the present moment. We step to the table and notice how difficult our run is going to be. We see the trouble balls right away. With a groan, we begin our run. We begin our journey towards success on the one-ball, the two-ball, and the three-ball. While, all the time we have defeat in our minds.

For us, the point of power is in the trouble ball later in the rack. We are somewhere out in the future. In this way, while we focus on the shot in front of us, our mind is concerned about potential danger. We begin with an attitude of defeat. We are not sure of our run out. Part of us does not want to begin at all. Why begin our journey when we know we will fail? We recall the many failed attempts when we faced a layout like this.

We bring to mind the heroic times we agonized over a tough run out, only to leave a hanging nine-ball in the end.

This experience can set up a mindset early in our pocket billiards development and many players today are still controlled by this type of mental attitude. In Point the Way, (which you can have as a free download) I say "with one leg in the future and one leg in the past, all we can do is piss on today."

Once we place value on a ball we have not yet reached, we have ended our chance for success. With the problem four shots away, how can we fully commit ourselves to the shot at hand? Our years of playing nine-ball have left us with a tentative spirit. 80 percent of the time we do not succeed with the completed run. And, it is this knowledge that invites inevitable defeat.

In your next match, make every effort to focus on the “shot in front of you.” Be one with the moment of contact. Get down with the cue tip and feel the contact. Did you give it your full attention? Did you become an, “I Came to Win,” player? Did you think about future shots? Did you think about past shots? Did you focus on this shot?

There is no future shot, past shot, next shot, or last shots. There is just this shot. Give it the attention it deserves.

I offer you a $40 discount on my audio tapes Focus on Winning and Consistency through Concentration. Click on this link to find out more about how to gain the skills to focus on the shot you are facing. Take full advantage of the point of power in the present moment.

A Positive Resolution

(A side note from Samm’s Side Pocket)

Most likely, if you react negatively, that mental state carries over to your next shot. Have you ever been so angry with what you were facing that it consumed you? Were you so flustered and overwhelmed by the thoughts of “I can’t believe I did that!” or “I’m so stupid!” or “What a crappy roll!”? Those negative feelings affect the decisions we make and how we execute them.

Not more than a year ago, I was the most emotional player you could encounter. I wore everything on my sleeve. You could tell if I hooked myself or if I got perfect shape. And, you could definitely tell that I was going to miss my next shot by how affected I was from the previous one. I expressed every single feeling towards every single shot. By the end of each match, whether I won or lost, I was completely emotionally spent. It would take me this past year to overcome this habit and step towards a new outlook for each shot.

As you tackle the attitude of defeat from The Monk’s article, also think about your negative reactions towards each shot. It is not an easy transition to completely separate yourself from your emotions during a match, but just give it a try and you will begin noticing immediate benefits. During this transition, look around. Notice the players in the room that pound their cue into the ground and yell and scream at the balls. How silly do they look? (No offense, if this is you.) What did they change? Now, watch Allison and Karen and notice their calmness and lack of response, regardless of what shot they face. This flat affect strengthens their consistency.

Every ounce of negative energy wasted on reacting to something in the past, something that you can not change, drains you. Better yet, redirect that energy and focus on something you can change. You can not change the outcome of the previous shot, but you can change and control what happens next with the actions you take. Why allow yourself to waste all that energy reacting to what your opponent did to you? It still doesn’t change what you need to do. Rather, use that energy to determine which rail to kick at or how you can play a nasty safety.

What I like to do is: When I am hooked, whether I did it to myself or my opponent did it to me, I always approach the table with a feeling of thankfulness. I am thankful to have a shot. Whether I like it or not, a shot is a chance to win. So, don’t piss and moan about what you left yourself or if you get out of line. Work it out! If your opponent left you that shot, you would be thankful to be at the table again. Just try to always be thankful.

Nobody said it would be easy. In fact, not reacting at all can even affect your opponent. I love it when my opponent gets all bent out of shape and jumps out of their seat because they can’t tell if I have a shot or not. If you ask The Monk, he would agree that a “Master” remains calm and acts with confidence and conviction in all that they do. I am working towards that completeness. Are you? So, as you’re making out your list of New Year’s resolutions add this one on and notice the results.

I wish you and your family a Prosperous & Happy New Year!

The Monk's Tip of the Week

If you win, go over and give your opponent a firm, sincere handshake. Tell him or her that they did not get good rolls. Thank him for the game. Always wish her good luck. Be gracious because that’s who you are.

If you lose, go over and give your opponent a firm, sincere handshake. Thank him or her for the game. Smile. Wish him or her good luck. Bow graciously when you are defeated because you are first class in everything you do.

It is important to have a purpose in what you do. Likewise, it is vital to know why you do it. One of my masters sent in his purpose and I would like to share it with you.

“I want to strengthen my ability, awareness and fully commit my efforts on every shot. I want to completely master this program.”

This is the epitome of a purpose statement. It is all about who he wants to be. It is not about what he wants to accomplish. Many times, my students will tell me they want to “win more games.” That’s easy. Find players who can’t play and beat them. Or, they state, “I want to get as good as I can get.” This is vague. Your purpose statement should reflect what ‘you’ want to become. My Master student is brilliant for having figured this out. He has the courage to challenge himself on a personal level. He will completely master this program. He turned in his first one-hundred ball run just a short time ago.

The Monk

You know you’re a D Player when…

17. You only know two speeds, hard and harder.

In this first shot, you will be delivering a soft stroke to achieve the position for the object ball down into the corner.

Master this series of shots as it will enable you to handle a host of problems in future games.

(Lessons - 17, 18, 19, 20)

Also, it is now possible for you to buy my novel, Shootout in Taos on my web site at a very good price. Take advantage of this generous offer today.

May All The Rolls Go Your Way
The Monk