I have read two of Bill Beswick’s books, and the key takeaway that has always resonated with me is the idea of growth and it’s what you do for others along your journey that is just as important in sport and life – and it’s not just about winning the titles.

You must ensure that you develop into an all around decent role model for others and ensure that you’re not just in it for yourself.

That could mean anything from helping with brushing and blocking tables, offering acts of support – or any kind of “knowledgable” pass it on advice or just generally being a decent human being.

Developing a good mindset and a good faith – as well as feeding your own self with love, kindness, and general well-being, means that generally, you will function a little better.

It’s all down to ensuring you don’t let the demons in – and those negative thoughts from your darker side of the brain enter into the mindset – such as, I can’t win this – or, I can’t pot this now, or, this is getting too much…

Reframe the mindset – which is what Beswick effectively says in the books I’ve read, and you’ll go further…

As an example in my own journey to the Doubles Final in Oxshott. I got the text asking if I’d like to play as a pair in the Doubles tournament. I just went along to play and enjoy it as a bit of fun – after winning two rounds, that’s when you get serious thoughts about, “we could win this whole thing.”

Not thinking about the end result – makes the journey more bearable and less daunting when the pressure moments come.

And, during the Doubles tournament to get to the final, it indeed was exactly that. At moments where as a team and as part of a team I had to pot some very tough balls, I just trusted my cue action – trusted myself that even if I didn’t get it, I knew I had the right attitude – and would learn from it.

True sports people don’t think about the win – they just get on with what’s in front of them and if it happens, it happens, if not, you go back to the drawing board, and go again next time.

Enjoy it – do the basics, and see where it takes you and you can’t argue with what top people who say the same thing!

Enjoy!