September 04, 2005
In this Issue:
The Monk is Married
From The Monk's Four Points to Power students
"Building On A Rock"
"Coming Back From 3-0"
The Final Workshop
|
I believe we deal with a special group of players. Our mailing list numbers several thousand yet not all readers open this newsletter. But I believe a special group does. And it is to these wonderful friends, I share my strengths, hopes and experiences. |
Will being married change my teaching style?
As you know, when you become one with another person, things do change. For the past eight years I have been traveling around the country teaching this great game to thousands of students. I have announced my retirement from traveling in a recent issue as I talked about the Orlando workshop being my last personal appearance.
Yes, being married will change my approach to helping players everywhere. My immediate plans are to stay in New Zealand to prepare a Masters Teaching program where others can teach The Monk 101 material and help players. I am also working on a new book that will help others learn this great game. This book draws from the many students I have had in the past. It chronicles the ups and downs of those who did not do as well as they had expected and why their game broke down. This book will enlighten many on how important it is to follow instruction you don’t first understand. In this game, we must perform a task before we can fully understand the skill we are seeking to acquire.
Being married to a writer will give me time and energy to set up The Monk 101 as a complete teaching program. Through the years I have been amazed at how effective this material is. I want to put the entire program together so students will have the complete training they need to become the players they desire.
I did agree to some very interesting vows. At the end of my wedding we did something very few couples do. We declared our “couple vows”. In other words, now that we are one, what is our mission? I believe that those who travel together should have a common goal. That is what unites them. My wife if from New Zealand and believes we should have one identity and our travels should reflect that identity and purpose.
I think this marriage will serve to enhance my effectiveness in this game. I have a partner who shares my dreams. Over the next two years I will work harder to bring you the highest quality products I can. I am the only one who guarantees all of his books and videos because helping you is my purpose. May all the rolls go our way.
Monk Four Points To Power
Brings Support From New Participants
Reg Hardy here. I have been noticing many low scoring responses to the Four Points Quick Quizzes with about 40 to 60% of the respondents indicating problems dealing with The Lonely Conflict Stage.
"I find that most players are happy where they are lost in the Lonely Conflict stage. They are guarding their game. The real issues of competition is found in your head," wrote one Four Points student.
Once these students learn to deal with their own minds, they can undergo mentoring and make substantial gains in their own billiards performance.
The Monk also noticed a different response: I am going to share some incredible stuff with you. I am getting this material from my Monk 101 Four Points to Power students. These players are unique and have so much to offer. Here are a couple exerpts.
Building On A Rock
”I possess a strong willingness to learn. I have been complacent thus far, happy to win some and lose some. No More! With your program, I will be able to learn the foundation and build upon it. Until now, I was a house built in a swamp, beautiful, but with very shaky footings. I need you to help me tear down my house and rebuild on a rock. The one thing I have realized is that, no matter how nice a home is, if it’s not built on solid foundation it’ll come down. This is the same as my pool game presently. I have some great shots but when push comes to shove, my foundation gives way and my game falls apart.”From The Monk; For all of us in this great game today, we need to be focused on our goals. We need to declare our intentions and then believe we can reach any level. No one is given a dream without the specific opportunity to realize that dream. A strong desire just does not come into our heart, without a chance to one day express this dream in a reality. Most of us can look back at where we simply did not go where we dreamed we could. Instead, we held back, “Oh I can never do that” or “That could never happen to me”. We defeat ourselves even before we begin. A dream must be dared. We must dare to pursue that wonderful desire. Those who want to be world class get up and go after it. Don’t say it can’t happen to you, don’t’ say anything negative tell yourself you deserve this success because you possess this dream. Never look back. Declare what you want to do. Speak it out loud to yourself. Write it down. Then ask yourself “why” do you want to achieve your goals? Pick up your dreams and get to work. I will look for you in the finals.
Coming Back From 3-0
Being down in a league match is no fun, especially if you're going up against an APA Skill Level (SL) 6 & you're just an APA SL 3. But that's just what happened on the night of August 18, 2005 when after three quick games I was down in the match 3-0 & my opponent only had to win two more games.
All I had to do was win two more games also but what got me through this match and what will get you through yours is your will skills and concentration skills.
When it was my time to come to the table, I just told myself to calm down, shoot one shot at a time and most importantly not to worry about results. I did not panic. In Tim Miller's book, I Came To Win, Tim talks about Composure, Concentration & Courage; the 3 C's and I used those in my match to help me win; my opponent never won another game.
Concentration helped me make shots that I might normally miss. My composure during the game was to stay on the shot at hand & not get ahead of myself or think 'what if I miss, now what.' I wouldn't allow those thoughts in my mind. As far as courage goes; I could've played safety & leave him with two easy stripes to make & a tough 8-ball shot, but I had a shot at the 8-ball & I took it & I made it.
If you use the 3 C's & practice the four strokes from the Lesson, you'll have a chance to win regardless of whom you play. By the way I won that match 2-3; I only had to win 2 games because of my skill level, but I intend to move my skill level up to an APA SL 6 someday.
You need to take a look at the Four Points program. It is outlined at
The Monk’s newest web site.
Thanks Samm
I would like to take this moment to thank Sammantha for all her help on this project. She has decided to devote her time to her business and training. We have all been helped by her contribution. At the Monk Billiard Academy, we wish her nothing but success. Thank you Sammantha so much for all your hard work.
The Monk
The Catch-up Corner
Orlando In September
Don't Miss The Orlando Finale
There are still three openings in my final Workshop. I hope you get the chance to work with the finest teachers in the world. Bonnie, my wife, has booked a flight back to America just to be here. She is going to teach two sessions in the conference room. Larry Giles has his camera ready to help you with your stroke. This one session is worth the tuition. I am going to be speaking in the conference room, and conducting The Monk 101 program for two intense days in the poolroom. The normal tuition for a workshop like this is three thousand dollars. Your cost is just $960.00 and I pay for your lodging. Check it out and call me soon. We are going to have a historic time in my final workshop. After sixteen years on the road, I am finally calling it a day.