If its a game, then treat it like one!

[spitkicker]

I've been thinking alot lately about "the game" as just what the name implies...a game. Connecting certain aspects of it to sports really drives home some key points.

1. All good players have slumps. Jeter will go 0-22. Kobe will score 14 one night and 81 on another.
The fact that last night was ****ty doesn't mean anything about your worth as a person! It means that you didn't play well last night and that today/tonight is a new game, its that simple. You might go through a 2 week slump, but you know what, once you're out of the slump, it's gonna feel great! A slump in your game is just like a hitch/flaw in your swing. Overanalyzing it will only make it worse, just relax, keep playing and it WILL come to you.

2. Warm up! Would a basketball team ever start a game without taking warm up shots, stretching, prepping for a big game? NO. Nor should you. When you enter a club, WARM UP! This means having casual conversations with whoever you see, getting yourself loose, out of your head, and on your way to a great night. People warm up for every game, this one is no exception.

3. No one bats 1,000 or hits 100% of their field goals. Getting blown out or having some failure does not mean that you don't have game, or that your game isn't good enough. It just means that no one is perfect. And you know what, you're no exception, get over it!

4. Like in baseball, basketball, football, and hockey, there are 2 sides. Even if roger clemens throws the exact pitch, exactly where he wants it, the batter could still potentially crush it for a homerun. Even if you play everything correctly, there is still the element of HER. IT's a two player game and her mind may be elsewhere or you might remind her too much of an abusive ex etc.

5. Before big games, athletes get anxiety. They channel this nervous energy into focus and use it toward their advantage. You must look at your approach anxiety as just this, and realize that it is signaling that "the game" is about to be played. Welcome it as a sort of "national anthem" before you play, and channel its energy..

6. A player with less talent can overcome a player with more talent if he works harder and shows more dedication. There are too many examples of this throughout history to list...

any more...?

would love to see what you guys can come up with

 

[smoove]

co-sign on everything. nice post!

Recently, I let go 3 of the more annoying girls in my rotation and I've started "recruiting" 2 more. Even though the 2 new ones are hotter than the last 3 I "cut" I am less attached to the outcome and I realized I naturally started to enjoy the game itself. I've noticed a huge difference in my own satisfaction from the interactions.

I used to play competitve sports and the players on the team who took things too seriously (I'm talkin OVER THE TOP) didn't enjoy the game as much as the rest of us.

So you focused on realizing that your not going to get 100% of the girls you bat for...I'm saying you must enjoy yourself while your up at bat. If you don't, what's the point?

 

[BuckwildNYC]

Wow, thx for the post. It really does help you fix your mindset. if you think about it even Michael Jordan had some real shytty games when he was palying. But then he'd come back next game and drop 50. I'll try and remember that the next time a girl looks me up and down and says "PA LEEZE, you better keep that shyt movin" lol.

 

[spitkicker]

Buckwild- I agree. this is where the game analogy really helps. In my own case, it made me stop taking everthying so godddamn personally.

 

[ethnomethodologist]

Holy crap man!

That is the greatest iteration of "the game" that I have ever heard!!!

I wish I could throw in a few tips from the "playbook" or give you a few pointers.

--There are always obstacles to "the game" you have to know when you are being blocked, or when there is an opening. In Basketball, you always have the option, of shooting, passing, or running the line. There is never only one way to make a play for the team, there is only the best way to work AS a team.--

I wish I knew how to coach, that would be sweet!
=-=-=-=-=-=-
There are different terms of endearment for "the game". I like the comradery of Mystery's Air battalion forces, I enjoy hearing about the hunter/hunted description, love/war is another excellent view.

If only somebody would make a smalllist of different examples of which mindsets to view the game in...

 

[i am me]

heres another:

you play games because of the fun of playing and the fun of winning...it might hurt when you lose, but you shouldn't take it too personally. Learn to learn from your mistakes...