Tarrytown

[bnjy99]

Well, I wrote a brief tidbit on here a few days ago, but I should probably express my feelings a bit more clearly, and this is probably the best place to do it

Comments

[wantonhalo]

I noticed a big difference in my focus at my tournament win last weekend. I was very focused, I think because I didn't do too many high-energy activities, didn't eat really unhealthy foods for lunch, and got reasonable amounts of sleep. If I continued with these attitudes at other tournaments, I would probably do a lot better.

Now that you know more about how to focus well, what do you want to work on next? Still more improvement on focus, or something else?

Finally, congratulations on tournament performance!

[bnjy99]

That's a question I asked myself, and I'm still not sure. I think I still need to figure out a way to stay focused when conditions are not so perfectly optimal like they were for this tournament. Like you, I didn't really engage in very many after-hours shenanigans, and I also made sure to keep it relatively healthy for lunch. I even went to the gym after my games on Saturday! (though only for a brief workout.) Obviously, part of the reason I go to tournaments is to have fun, but since I'm an introvert, no matter how much I may want to deny it, after-hours activities does use up energy that I could be using to win games. I think the next step might be for me to find a way to minimize those sorts of impacts so that I can focus as close to as well as I did at this tournament

[spherulitic]

Focus -- that's the big not-so-secret. Glad both of you hit a good stride -- I feel like I've been focused over my last several efforts as well. Luckily for me focus and after hours shenanigans are kind of unrelated for me, or so it seems. :)

In any case, congrats to both of you!

[magratheazaphod]

For me it's always a question of sleeping enough. Congrats!

[cesarsalad]

i always sleep awfully at tournaments so the biggest change i've definitely made has been greatly increased my focus. i don't linger on losses more than a few minutes and i've been running for the last year, which makes it much easier to remain physically and mentally calm. i really wish i could sleep better, it might make a difference, because i do make exhaustion mistakes. my word knowledge is about the same as it was in 2009 probably. i i i i i. anyway, yes, focus is awesome - i think it's the most important thing (assuming everything else is decent..)

[rafij52]

One thing I've noticed it that winning breeds focus - it's a lot easier to focus when you are drawing well and winning. The easier your early games, the easier it is to focus when you have difficult draws in late games, because you're in a positive mindset from winning and drawing well.

[bnjy99]

Right, definitely.