Getting Lessons Isn't Bad

For some reason, a lot of us pool players get kinda "ashamed" or "embarrassed" or "shy" to get lessons. 

Why?

In every sport, players improve all the time.

But for some reason, we as pool players have this mentality if we get lessons it means we aren't good, like we need lessons.  Or we are concerned our friends will judge us.  Well, why don't we look at it as:  I want to improve! 

It's not a bad thing to want to improve.  Is it?

NO. 

Tiger Woods had a coach.  Tiger Woods.  And he was top golfer for years.

Kids who are coming up in the pool world have coaches.  Do we judge them?  Not at all - if anything it makes sense in our minds - like a high school sport class or something.

A coworker told me once in my 30s, "why don't you practice more or get lessons?"  Her kids in middle school and high school were constantly getting lessons throughout the year in many sports, and so she was confused about my sport (pool).

Even football and baseball have training.

Yet, when for some reason when we get lessons we don't share it with the world.  Why is that? 

A friend of mine who gets pool lessons pointed out that she doesn't mind telling people.  It reminded her of her job, where she has to get re-certified every year.  Getting lessons is along the same lines, if you think about it. 

And why wouldn't we want to improve our game?  Hitting balls is one thing, but I've known players to hit balls every night of their life and never get better.  Gambling can be considered "on-the-job-training" --->  if you are learning from it.

Taking lessons or seeking lessons is actually a really SMART thing if you want to improve - whether you tell anyone or not.  ALL sports have training camps or top coaches or schools.  Treat yourself and your game and look into lessons if you want to improve.  AND...don't worry about what others think.  (and in my experience, opponents tend to be nervous against players who are getting lessons anyway :).