I walked into a pool tournament ranked 13th out of 14 players.
I finished third.
And yes, that felt pretty damn good.
It is so fun to see my game improving. To notice things beginning to click. To feel respected at the table. Finally.
Now some of the experienced players I look up to are encouraging me to enter a state tournament. They believe I can be ready. They are willing to take time to teach me, show me different things, and help me prepare.
I am learning to take that encouragement seriously—and recognize the work I am putting in, too.
LET THEM SEE YOU PRACTICE
During my trip to Nashville, an inspiring woman reminded me how important it is for my kids to see me dedicated to something. To see what hard work looks like.
That stayed with me.
Our children get to see a different side of us when we are learning. They can watch us practice, ask for help, make mistakes, and come back for another try. They get to see that growing does not end when you become the parent.
Brody is on a nationals volleyball team. His dedication and leadership have led to team captain roles. Brielle is shining again, too. Her leadership was recognized back in grade school when she received the first Riverview PTO award.
Their accomplishments belong to them. They have done the work. And as their mom, I am proud to watch them discover what they are capable of.
I want them to see me doing that, too.
Pool gives me a place to demonstrate commitment in a way they can actually watch. There is practice behind the result. There is being willing to learn before there is being good.
BEING A STUDENT REMINDS ME HOW I WANT TO COACH
I have coached and taught in different settings throughout my life. Being positive and appreciative has always mattered to me. I want a person to know what they are doing well and understand what they can work on next.
I love that the people helping me with pool teach in different ways. Sometimes a different explanation is what finally makes something click.
But I have also experienced instruction that leaves very little room for discussion: take this shot, do it this way, follow the direction. No room to clarify. No explanation of why.
That is difficult for me. I want to understand what I am seeing so I can recognize it again when I am making the decision myself.
Questions are part of how I learn.
One approach I have used as a coach is the sandwich method: recognize something the person did well, offer a specific correction, and finish with encouragement. For me, the praise needs to be genuine, and the correction needs to give them something they can actually use.
“Good job” can feel nice. Explaining what worked helps someone repeat it.
I can appreciate another player’s experience and still recognize that I learn best when there is room for respectful conversation.
WHAT PRESSURE FEELS LIKE IN MY BODY
When feedback feels harsh, I notice myself drawing inward. My body feels like it folds in on itself. My breathing feels restricted, and concentrating on the shot becomes harder.
That is something I want to pay attention to.
Stress has physical effects. The sympathetic nervous system helps drive the fight-or-flight response, which can involve muscle tension and faster breathing and heart rate. The parasympathetic nervous system generally supports rest and recovery.
For me, the useful awareness starts with noticing: How am I standing? Am I bracing? What is happening with my breathing? Am I thinking about the shot, or worrying about getting it wrong?
Those questions connect what happens at the pool table to the awareness I practice in other parts of my life.
PRACTICE WITH A PURPOSE
I have committed to at least 45 minutes of practice at the table each day.
I also have a Scotch doubles tournament on November 7 to prepare for, along with the possibility of state ahead. Having something to work toward makes the practice feel meaningful.
Pool nights can be long. I want to prepare for the time on my feet and the attention the game asks of me. My plan is to accompany my table practice with movement and stretching. Water with lemon is part of how I am showing up for those evenings, too.
This connects directly to Movement as Medicine for me. Enjoying something gives me a reason to want to move, prepare, and take care of myself.
I want to see what happens when I give this my attention consistently. I want to keep enjoying it as I improve.
ONE RIPPLE TO TRY
Choose something you care enough about to practice. Give yourself one manageable session with one specific thing to work on.
At the end, name something that worked, one adjustment to try next time, and something you appreciate about your effort. Practice giving yourself the kind of feedback that helps you stay engaged.
My commitment is 45 minutes at the table. Your next step can fit your own life. Five intentional minutes can be a place to begin.
A RIPPLE TO REFLECT ON
- What would I enjoy becoming better at?
- What kind of feedback helps me understand and try again?
- What do I notice in my body when I feel pressure?
- What might the people watching me learn from how I practice?