change of plans, like me/unlike me

The last time I played league tennis I found myself cursing when I made a mistake. This is clearly not helpful. I’ve been reading Zen Golf by Dr. Joseph Parent. He suggests saying, “Hmmm, that’s not like me”, when you make a mistake. I tried it today, it’s a lot more helpful than cursing. Currently, then, after a point has ended, one of three things will happen: if I won the point I say, “That’s like me”, if I made an error I say, “Hmmm, that’s not like me”, if my opponent hit a winner I congratulate them.

I’m trying to install positive habits bit by bit so that I can get to the point where my thoughts all contribute positively to my tennis game. If I do everything possible to play well and someone beats me, so be it, I’ve done everything I can.

Practice and Competition Report: played a set and a half with M.: 4-6, 4-2, practiced my serve for one bag of practice balls, ran sprints
Success Analysis: my agressive attacking game wasn’t working so I switched to hitting the ball deep to the middle of the court and waiting for my opponent to make errors. She did.