It's a matter of value.

    It's Thursday, league night, and the memory of last weeks match is still haunting you. You had

several nice runs of seven, but always seemed to leave a tough shot on the 8-ball. And on top of that,

the girl you were playing was hot and didn't feel the need to fully dress. You say to yourself, that it's 

going to be different tonight. The 8-ball is just another ball. Isn't it ?  The truth of the matter is, for you,

it isn't. No matter how hard or how easy, the shot on the 8-ball is you always seem to mess it up. You

look over your shot with all the intensity you can muster, and you start to experience something you

can't seem to get a handle on. The pocket is now moving back and forth, from left to right, and you

can't seem to focus. The ground actually seems to be shaking, and the slight angle on the shot, now

appears to be a severe cut. This all seems to pale in comparison to the fact, your hands have become

wet sponges, and you can't get your cue to slide through your bridge.

    Well, who could be expected to make a shot under these conditions. The answer is, no one.  So, what

do you do ? It's obvious, right ? You change the conditions. All this happens to you because, the value

you have placed on making this ball, is “far” too great. The first, and most important thing you can

do is, stop telling yourself, in any manner, that you can't. This is self-defeating, and if

you  think you can't...... you're right. This will help you to build a more confident approach to

your game, and your life for that matter. Most people tend to like to be around other positive and self

confident people. 

    Second, start to break down the reason, this is so important to you. Is winning the only reason, or

is how your team will think of you, the source of the pressure.  Some people even have a fear of

success, that makes them not play to their full ability. Because, if they win more, they will be expected

to compete at that level all the time. I sometimes find myself playing below my ability, just to get a

breather, if people think I am not playing well that day, it seems to relieve some of the pressure, I feel

to constantly win.

    Whatever the reason is, find it ! Because once you have, you can do something about it. I was told by

a  retired hustler I know, that I would get to the level of ability I wanted to be at, when I stopped caring

so much about winning. If winning is all you can focus on, you will never learn to appreciate the skill

that it took, for you to make the first seven balls. And that is where the true value in pool comes from.

Try to see the value in every shot you take, and the last one, will become no different than the first.