My Dad wanted me to focus on my grades in high school, so the one sport I was in for maybe 2 months (basketball) I had to quit.
I don't regret his advice (i.e. demand) at all, as I was able to get into college first stab because I was in the top 10 of my high school class (out of 650!). #bragger
I do wonder, though, would I have excelled sooner in my pool journey had I taken up sports and been competitive in high school? I would imagine it would have to be more advantageous for people who were in competitive sports in high school (heck even middle school). They would have more mental toughness, right? That's what I think (wonder).
While I guess high school athletes may not have necessarily have more mental toughness, they definitely would be introduced to it sooner. Heck, I didn't really even understand mental toughness til my late 20s. And didn't grasp it until my low to mid 30s. Had I been in a sport in high school and was active in it, I would think it would have helped me understand and harness my mental toughness much, MUCH sooner than 10 years into playing pool. Right?
Sure, the mechanics of playing pool would have still taken me as long to solidify, but mentally, I could have been so much farther ahead?
I do also wonder had I taken up golf, would my mechanics been more solid sooner? Following through and staying down are also key to golf, just as in pool. I do know people who have played golf well in high school or golf now, and they are not running away with pool titles, but I think my mechanics would have been more solid sooner.
Now, don't get me wrong - I LOVE my pool journey and all the amazing different steps and adventures that brought me to a state and national champion in my 40s. I wouldn't change my path for anything. I just wonder if there is a benefit for other players who were athletes in high school.
Just for kicks, here's me in high school!
No comments:
Post a Comment