Win ugly, ignore noise, flow freely (5).

On Zen writings #5

Here are three main insights for athletes and others keen on top performance from an article "The Big Man Can't shoot" by Sensei John Pulley and published by Tricycle here on April 5, 2025.

1. "Ignore the Crowd, Focus on What Works"

• Story/Example: Wilt Chamberlain abandoned the underhand "granny shot" (which boosted his free-throw success to 87%) because he feared looking "like a sissy"—even though it cost him games.
• Takeaway: Ego and social pressure often override performance. Winning requires sacrificing vanity.
• Sports Parallel: Like a tennis player refusing to switch to a two-handed backhand (e.g., young Steffi Graf initially resisted despite its effectiveness) or a golfer clinging to a flawed swing to avoid criticism.
• Actionable Drill: "The Uncomfortable Win": Identify one "uncool" but effective technique in your sport (e.g., underhand lobs in pickleball, defensive "park the bus" tactics in soccer) and commit to using it in practice for a week.

2. "Success ≠ External Validation"

• Story/Example: Society (and athletes) obsess over stats, fame, and "looking good," but true mastery comes from internal alignment—like Rick Barry’s free-throw focus on mechanics, not applause.
• Takeaway: Chasing approval distracts from execution. The best performers measure success by their own standards.
• Sports Parallel: Like Simone Biles prioritizing mental health over Olympic medals, or Tim Duncan’s "boring" fundamentals dominating NBA flashiness.
• Actionable Drill: "No Social Media": Post-zero about your training/routines for a month. Track how it affects your focus.

3. "Embrace ‘Not Knowing’ to Adapt"

• Story/Example: Zen emphasizes "wandering without a goal" (like Fayan’s pilgrimage). The article critiques rigid agendas—e.g., Wilt’s refusal to adapt fully to the granny shot.
• Takeaway: Over-planning creates resistance. Fluidity beats force.
• Sports Parallel: Like Lionel Messi’s dribbling (he reacts, doesn’t pre-script moves) or a surfer adjusting to waves rather than fighting them.
• Actionable Drill: "Improvisation Round": In practice, ban your go-to move/play for 10 minutes. Force adaptation (e.g., a point guard forbidden from dribbling with their dominant hand).

Why All This Matters: These principles help athletes bypass ego, reduce choking, and unlock creativity under pressure.

Granny shots win games.