Attitude Is Everything

[atkinsrr]

Thought some of you might find this article interesting. Was reading some of my old "mental" stuff yesterday from my files. From American Turf Monthly February 1993. As I type this I am substituting the word "player" for "investor" as "Doc" said we are not "players". The problem of most investors? The failure to maintain mental equilibrium. Racing demands a psychological maturity to deal with the ups and downs in any game involving a level of chance. There are times when the half-competent investor will rule the world and can't lose. Other times, even the best investor's can't buy a winner. Handling swings in fortune is what makes or breaks one's success. Most investors start out with supreme confidence , wrongfully, they believe it's their "system" and not their personal application of it that makes them winners. At the first sign of adversity they choke. They make dumb bets, or pass races that are theirs for the taking. A negative mind-set beats investors more than any other reason. The difference between a winner and loser is in coming to grips with experiences of one's own creation. Don't like the results? Do something about it; take your future into your own hands. Whereas the loser sees 3 losses in a row, the winner sees 1 win in 4. It's all a matter of perspective. The winner will check his losing races for possible mistakes. If he makes one, he'll correct it; INTERNALIZE THE CHANGE, then let go. The winner doesn't agonize over his losses. They're merely learning opportunities, and part of the (game). The failure is not getting on with what's good and positive; the next race, opportunity to win or step toward becoming more successful. Learn to forgive yourself. Put a statute of limitations on your mistakes, then get on with it. Perseverence and objectivity are the qualities that inevitably start the winner on his journey to success. Experiment, evaluate, improve. Find out what works for you at the races. That's what winners do. They create their own success and take responsibility for getting it, too....everyone enjoy and good skill to all.