Let Go

Mind of Steel

Develop a Let-Go Technique

Dr. Christopher Stankovich

www.drstankovich.com

People often say there are two things guaranteed in life – death and taxes.  While that may be true, most pool players would add “missing shots” to that list!  The truth is every player misses shots, and no player in the history of pool has ever retired undefeated.  The key, then, is to mentally prepare ahead of time for those times we miss shots and lose games (and tournaments). 

Since we are human, we will experience human failures (like occasionally missing shots we shouldn’t).  One saying I have always loved is “forewarned is forearmed,” meaning if we know tough times are in store, we must prepare ahead of time by having a counter-plan of attack.  So, what do you currently do when you miss a shot you should make?  Do you become angry and frustrated?  Or do you immediately let the bad shot go and re-focus on the next shot with confidence? 

The following are some steps to keep in mind when developing a Let-Go technique to help you bounce back from bad shots (and bad days):

• Just as you prepare in your mind to make shots, do a separate mental drill that includes pressure situations, uncertainty, and even a few failures.  Try to think through a healthy, positive way to learn from your mistake by keeping your cool and staying focused and confident. 
• Instead of looking at missed shots as examples of how bad you are, try to view them as challenges to get better.  Human perception can be what you want it to be – yesterdays blown shot can be today’s learning experience.
• When you physically feel negative energy in your body (like your muscles tightening after missing an easy shot), take a deep breath.  At this point you should develop a Let-Go technique that symbolizes letting go of something bad.  Examples could be switching out a piece of chalk in your bag, or removing a piece of lint from your pocket.  Whatever you come up with is up to you, so long as the connection in your mind is linked to letting go of the last bad miss. 

A Let-Go technique simply needs to be associated in your mind to truly letting go of something.  It is a relatively simple concept, yet incredibly effective. 

Dr. Christopher Stankovich is a nationally acclaimed expert in Sport Psychology and the Founder of Advanced Human Performance Systems.  For more information on performance-enhancement products, including the exclusive “Mind of Steel for Pool Success” and Sports Performance Assessment for Pool visit www.drstankovich.com