Welcome to Pocket Watch: A blog to share the lessons learned about the mental game of pool written by a competitive pool player on her road to pro.
Will I ever become a professional pool player? I don’t know, but we all need goals. You don’t reach your highest point by playing small.
I’m Amani Ali. I’ve been playing pool since 2012 and competing in tournaments since 2016. My favorite game is 8 ball but I also play 9 ball and one pocket. I’ve been writing online since 2018, first on vocal.media and now here on medium.
This blog combines my love for writing and pool. For the first time, I’ll be posting consistently.
Follow me for new stuff every Tuesday. (Edit 6/23/24: I publish once a month).
Why Start a Blog?
I have a history of perfectionism and overthinking, which has caused me to choke in crucial moments. I thought trying really hard was the only way to get where I wanted to be, but putting too much pressure on myself was taking away my joy and burning me out.
Now, I’m taking a new approach, one about slowing down and enjoying the journey.
Every Tuesday, I’ll be sharing what I’ve learned regarding mental preparation for tournaments. These are topics that other competitive pool players can relate to, and maybe even learn from. This weekly blog allows me to express myself and contribute to the pool-playing community.
Thank you to everyone who has shown me support as a writer and/or a pool player, I wouldn’t be trying this without you. I appreciate you being beside me on my road to pro.
Do you want to read more? Here are some other stories you might like:
Today I’m facing what nearly killed me
What Else Do You Do Besides Play Pool? How to Find Balance as a Competitor.
Pool is not a Matter of Life and Death
If you like my content and want to support me in its creation, here are a few ways to do so:
- Give this article a clap and become a follower
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- Consider buying me a game of pool or downloading my tournament evaluation form
- Consider becoming a monthly supporter
