Success vs. Joy
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Dealing with Anxiety
There are many good players who indulge in a quick swig to soothe frayed nerves before or during matches. This is lethal and even though it may control nerves initially, in the long run it destroys the mind. In fact, the prolonged use of alcohol, quite apart from any other physiological implications, goes on to deaden the brain cells.
Anxiety before a match is a human experience that cannot be eliminated. I believe that it is good for the system in that it subconsciously strengthens the mind to focus on the job at hand. I just accept anxiety as part of the whole process of playing a match without allowing it to take over my whole being. And I find that as I play the first few strokes, my concentration is so intense I soon forget about the anxiety and every other emotion that serves to distract me from my game.