- Topic
I won a hard basketball game today in the sweltering heat by being present to ineffective strategies. I remember my last one-on-one basketball game a year and a half ago where I lost to a much smaller opponent. I know size doesn’t matter, but I beat him handedly in the first game. During the second game, I said to myself let him win and then win the tie breaking third game. I was really tired defending a smaller guy. I gave up – no very Jordanesq. I kept missing jumper after jumper.
I told a woman I was talking at that time that I was weak minded because of my mentality.
This is a microcosm for my life – being trapped by limited thinking that I’m aware of.
Today, I decided to use my size early when I saw I wouldn’t make many jumpshots. My opponent was about 5’9 150.I’m 6’3 205 with a combined bench, squat, deadlift over 1000 lbs. I was down about two and gained the league by driving hard to the hoop, something I never really do; he complimented me on my takes to the hoop. I won by controlling my mind. Even if I lost, I would still feel good about myself because I played differently. I felt scared asserting myself, I thought I would hurt him or something.
I’ve been using a lot of mindfulness and basketball the last week. I make so many shots when I’m focused and miss a lot when I’m thinking. I have to use this in my everyday life. I even change my shooting motion and form when I notice bad habits. I actually practiced some drills, I was not frustrated that I missed shots or felt awkward performing new movements. It made practice fun. I just kept breathing and focused on the present, not the result. Those actions helped me win the game today.
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