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Author Topic: what is your attitude and how important is it  (Read 963 times)

toomanytenpins

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what is your attitude and how important is it
« on: February 25, 2009, 09:44:01 PM »
I have a farley decent kjnowledge of the game.I keep up with equipment and feel that i am an average novice bowler if that means anything.
   I ,however am curious as to what i am missing to compete at the level that I believe I should .I know that the mental side of anything is paramount to success and i try to stay focused and confident ,but i really am missing something and i was wondering if it were attitude.
     I try to stay humble and not bragg or over emphasize in my game,but it really apperas that the showboats get better results.Does being a better bowler make you a showboat or is it vice versa.Do you need that edge to perform or am I just looking for another reason to blame my inconsistencies on.
   I avg. around 200 practice religiously almost and i am confident in my abilities and decision making proccesses,but i still find myself unable to perform when i need to.
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urbanshaft

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Re: what is your attitude and how important is it
« Reply #1 on: February 26, 2009, 06:53:07 AM »
when im bowlin with friends in regular league i have a pretty regular attitude tell lots of jokes and have fun
but when im bowlin in tournaments or vs some pretty good bowlers i really concentrate
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leftyinsnellville

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Re: what is your attitude and how important is it
« Reply #2 on: February 26, 2009, 06:59:13 AM »
Belief in one's abilities can often be a necessary element in success...it's not an absolute requirement, but most believe a postive mental attitude can help.

Often when people are confident, many perceive that to be cocky.  Don't worry about coming off as cocky.  You really shouldn't concern yourself about what others think of you and your game.  Play your game, believe in yourself, even to the point of being a little cocky.  

It's kind of like how smiling during excercise can help people who don't like to exercise.  If you force yourself to smile when you're out for a walk or a jog, you'll actually feel happier.  Apparently your body will respond to forced emotion.

So if you act like you're the best bowler at the center, your body will automatically respond and you'll bowl like the best bowler at the center.  It's a mystery as to why something so stupid works...but it does.

I'll end this with some words of wisdom that an old guy told me years ago.  
"When we're young we worry an awful lot about what others think of us.  When we get older we no longer worry about what others think of us.  When we get truly wise, we realize they were never thinking of us at all.  People are too wrapped up in their own affairs to concern themselves about you...and, contrary to what most believe, the world doesn't revolve around you."




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CharlieBrown

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Re: what is your attitude and how important is it
« Reply #3 on: February 26, 2009, 07:09:06 AM »
quote:
I'll end this with some words of wisdom that an old guy told me years ago.  
"When we're young we worry an awful lot about what others think of us.  When we get older we no longer worry about what others think of us.  When we get truly wise, we realize they were never thinking of us at all.  People are too wrapped up in their own affairs to concern themselves about you...and, contrary to what most believe, the world doesn't revolve around you."



Great stuff!
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AngloBowler

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Re: what is your attitude and how important is it
« Reply #4 on: February 27, 2009, 05:02:37 AM »
It is true that a lot of the game is mental, and an inability to perform when required is usually a lack of confidence. You say that you're confident in your abilities and decision making, but if you were truly confident then you would be able to perform when you needed it.

It sounds to me like when things are going well you're confident but when there's some pressure you begin to doubt yourself.

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right"

Having a positive outlook might help, it might not, but having a negative outlook will never help. There's nothing wrong with showboating, if that's what your personality is, however, it's not for everyone. As long as you believe in yourself and have faith in your technique, then it doesn't really matter how you present yourself to the world, your bowling will do the talking.

The mental game is something you don't have to be in a bowling centre to practice though, and I suggest you find yourself some books on sports psychology to sharpen your skills.
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dizzyfugu

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Re: what is your attitude and how important is it
« Reply #5 on: February 27, 2009, 05:43:14 AM »
"Attitude is everything" - even though lent from Cyberpunk, there is a lot to this small phrase, and it is true for bowling, too.

Another nice catchphrase I came across is "Think weak - be weak". That's even  more important when you play competitively, in league or tournament. You not only have to believe in yourself, your skill and knowledge, you must have the ability to keep it up until the last frame is through. Staying aggressive and positive makes you a better bowler, period. I play in lower leagues, and there are a lot of good bowlers, including youth players. But what IMO truly separates the "bowlers" from "players" is the mental approach, toughness, and confidence. There's more to bowling than just practice and a good physical game. You need the ability to concentrate, something I like to call lane intelligence, and the right guts = attitude.

I see so many players in my leagues sway when the conditions are not "beneficial", of they cannot play their a game, or if they simply suck. When you start to self-destruct in this moment, you have lost the day - and also the respect of your competitors (probably for the future). But it is just a perspective point.

You can say:
a) Oh, these lanes suck, I have no clue, I cannot score well, I quit, aaargh.
b) Oh, tough shot, let's take the chance and conquer it! Open fire!

Which player will fare better? Not only scoring-wise, but also mentally?

Even if you do not score well, play with grace and attitude. No cursing, rambling, whatsoever. This has a place, but AFTER the game is over. Until then, attack - or at least make it look like this.

Remember - attitude is everything
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toomanytenpins

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Re: what is your attitude and how important is it
« Reply #6 on: February 27, 2009, 09:18:47 AM »
great comments guys thank you all
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