A quality that we all want and need to succeed. To play at a high level in chess this is one quality we cannot do without.
Consider this. Can you be confident if you cannot get results? Say you are presented with a problem and time and time again you cannot come to a solution, would that ebb your confidence? So how would you arrive at results? A quiet knowing. Can we say that since knowing is a part of confidence that confidence itself is a subset, a byproduct, of learning?
How does learning work?
It starts when we have identified ALL the variables that affect outcome. But this is not as simple as it looks. Next posting.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Confidence-What is it and how to find it?
Confidence is an elusive quality. We saw that in Tiger Woods and perhaps we saw that in Magnus Carlsen recently. Yet on the whole we can say there are confident and not confident people. So how do we recognise confidence? What does it look like? How do we attain it and how can we lose it? I will write on this in my next few postings. Do join me.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Paradox
Sigmund Freud once said that the road to happiness lies in the ability to let go. And when someone asked him how does one do that, he said "by remembering".
Chess is a game of immense beauty
And the beauty comes from its paradoxical nature. From the very fact that it has few variables it can display the tremendous creativity of its exponents. Some breath taking games are breath taking simply because of the ingenious solutions within those constraints.
Chess is also a game of change because it very clearly demonstrates that the decision you make in the moment can have an astounding impact on the end result.
So the essence of the game itself refutes the arguments of the people who argues on the wrong side of nature vs nurture. The proponents of nature is blind to change.
The beauty of chess is revealed when you can understand paradox; when you understand that its true nature is that it reveals who you are. There is not much technical and so the immense battle for the higher levels is the battle for the control of your mind.
And so the real battle for excellence is the struggle not to be trumatised by the struggle itself. And so the need for clean competitions. And so the need for correct preparation.
The people who can only understand contradictions cannot see that. They cannot accept change and so they will deny the evidence even when it is presented directly in front of their eyes. And in doing so they will condemn themselves to staying stagnant and playing a low level of the game.
This is self evident. This is demonstrated by chess. Look with a still mind and you will see.
Read this also.
And this.
Chess is also a game of change because it very clearly demonstrates that the decision you make in the moment can have an astounding impact on the end result.
So the essence of the game itself refutes the arguments of the people who argues on the wrong side of nature vs nurture. The proponents of nature is blind to change.
The beauty of chess is revealed when you can understand paradox; when you understand that its true nature is that it reveals who you are. There is not much technical and so the immense battle for the higher levels is the battle for the control of your mind.
And so the real battle for excellence is the struggle not to be trumatised by the struggle itself. And so the need for clean competitions. And so the need for correct preparation.
The people who can only understand contradictions cannot see that. They cannot accept change and so they will deny the evidence even when it is presented directly in front of their eyes. And in doing so they will condemn themselves to staying stagnant and playing a low level of the game.
This is self evident. This is demonstrated by chess. Look with a still mind and you will see.
Read this also.
And this.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Chess is not quantum physics
At the macro level, chess does not display the complexities of many subjects. Think on it. It is a problem confined to 64 squares with limited variables.
But it is very instructive on how the mind works. How the mind can sabotage itself. It is instructive on how illusions are formed and how delusions are perpetuated. It shows how emotions can deceive and how we can contort the mind to defend indefensible positions. It demonstrates the insanity of doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
It can teach decision making, planning, how things work, goal setting, risk taking, struggle and sacrifice. It can even teach teamwork and partnership if looked at in the correct perspective. In short it can teach you how to learn.
If we can show our kids that, they will master their minds and then go on to bigger and better, more complex things. And some will become GM's and others World beaters in the endeavour of their choosing.
That is in my mind what the lesson is. What are we teaching them now? What are we showing them?
But it is very instructive on how the mind works. How the mind can sabotage itself. It is instructive on how illusions are formed and how delusions are perpetuated. It shows how emotions can deceive and how we can contort the mind to defend indefensible positions. It demonstrates the insanity of doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
It can teach decision making, planning, how things work, goal setting, risk taking, struggle and sacrifice. It can even teach teamwork and partnership if looked at in the correct perspective. In short it can teach you how to learn.
If we can show our kids that, they will master their minds and then go on to bigger and better, more complex things. And some will become GM's and others World beaters in the endeavour of their choosing.
That is in my mind what the lesson is. What are we teaching them now? What are we showing them?
The solution
Solutions are possible once you see the big picture, once you dare to look at all the evidence and not only the ones that are convenient. Looking at the forces against change is just another form of competitors analysis. Now do you see that the voices against change are weak? They only have power because we give it to them. They are incapable of learning so how strong can they be? A very small minority making a lot of senseless noise. Dont listen to them. They are not relevant. They are keeping us in the same spot.
Solution-community.
Stick to issues not personalities. In the case of MCF, I have shown that there are both positive and negative actions. Support the positive ones to empower it further and withdraw support from the negative ones. Understand that Greg and Hamid is just like you and me. They will only change when they have to. Do not be hypocritical.
So further awareness in the community is essential for change. Awareness not blindly attack. Correct action.
Understand also that the same cannot be applied to PICA. There are no positive actions there. Even the kampar leg's results have not been put up. No cross tables. There is nothing there to support. The spirit is dead.
Solution-Technical
There has been damage. We acknowledge that. Too many years of frustration without success. We have the wrong model. If you can get past that you can contribute to change. Help the young ones. See that your role is but a part of the whole picture. Do not act from your anger and bitterness. You are only perpetuating our failure. Use the model I suggested or a variation of it.
Solution-Associations
Learn to see which ones failed and why? The COS model needs a relook. You cannot keep the deadwood. They are a liability. They drain our resources and contribute nothing in return. In fact I'll go one step further, they do more harm than good.
Solution-Sponsors
Understand that if you do it properly, you can get continuous genuine sponsorship based on partnership. Win-win. Come up with a 5 year plan. Then you dont have to run like a chicken without a head...always looking for a new sponsor for the next event. Get this done properly and you will have time to undertake your management role, administrative role. Do it right. Stop trying for another Patron. We have done this for 30 years and it has not worked. Do it the proper way. You will regain your dignity and be strong.
This is the system. Change one variable and it will have systemic effect. All have a role. If we can stick to our role, change will come.
Do all this in support of our players. They are the ones that matter. They are the ones that need the praise. They are the fighters we send out to represent us. We are the supporters. So support.
Solution-community.
Stick to issues not personalities. In the case of MCF, I have shown that there are both positive and negative actions. Support the positive ones to empower it further and withdraw support from the negative ones. Understand that Greg and Hamid is just like you and me. They will only change when they have to. Do not be hypocritical.
So further awareness in the community is essential for change. Awareness not blindly attack. Correct action.
Understand also that the same cannot be applied to PICA. There are no positive actions there. Even the kampar leg's results have not been put up. No cross tables. There is nothing there to support. The spirit is dead.
Solution-Technical
There has been damage. We acknowledge that. Too many years of frustration without success. We have the wrong model. If you can get past that you can contribute to change. Help the young ones. See that your role is but a part of the whole picture. Do not act from your anger and bitterness. You are only perpetuating our failure. Use the model I suggested or a variation of it.
Solution-Associations
Learn to see which ones failed and why? The COS model needs a relook. You cannot keep the deadwood. They are a liability. They drain our resources and contribute nothing in return. In fact I'll go one step further, they do more harm than good.
Solution-Sponsors
Understand that if you do it properly, you can get continuous genuine sponsorship based on partnership. Win-win. Come up with a 5 year plan. Then you dont have to run like a chicken without a head...always looking for a new sponsor for the next event. Get this done properly and you will have time to undertake your management role, administrative role. Do it right. Stop trying for another Patron. We have done this for 30 years and it has not worked. Do it the proper way. You will regain your dignity and be strong.
This is the system. Change one variable and it will have systemic effect. All have a role. If we can stick to our role, change will come.
Do all this in support of our players. They are the ones that matter. They are the ones that need the praise. They are the fighters we send out to represent us. We are the supporters. So support.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
How do we see the truth?
That is the million dollar question isnt it? We have in contention what people say is "human nature". The ability of the mind to trick itself. And so the science of psychoanalysis was born to to explore this phenomenon.
I did an exercise once. I asked someone to write a list of the pros and cons of starting their own business vs staying in employment. The point of the exercise is that you cannot make a decision unless you know who you are. And the answer to that question must come from the spirit.
So the first step to confusing you is kill off that spirit. And the second step is to disconnect you from your feelings. For your feelings give clues to the actuality of the situation. So they will always tell you how you should feel in any given situation.
Without both you will be totally open to manipulation and lies. You cannot tell the truth. One argument looks like the next. And then they will tell you what you should think.
And so you cannot learn as you are in doubt all the time. Understand this and you will have a chance to break out and see clearly.
This is a prerequisite for a mental warrior. When you are all alone in front of the chess board, you need to trust your judgement, you need to see the truth as it unfolds before your eyes. Or you will be outplayed.
Go back to the site I posted below. Can you see better now how the lies work? But dont stay there too long. It is enough to just recognise them for now. That type of "thinking" is why we have stayed stuck for 30 years. They will still be at the same spot 30 years from now so no need to hurry.
I did an exercise once. I asked someone to write a list of the pros and cons of starting their own business vs staying in employment. The point of the exercise is that you cannot make a decision unless you know who you are. And the answer to that question must come from the spirit.
So the first step to confusing you is kill off that spirit. And the second step is to disconnect you from your feelings. For your feelings give clues to the actuality of the situation. So they will always tell you how you should feel in any given situation.
Without both you will be totally open to manipulation and lies. You cannot tell the truth. One argument looks like the next. And then they will tell you what you should think.
And so you cannot learn as you are in doubt all the time. Understand this and you will have a chance to break out and see clearly.
This is a prerequisite for a mental warrior. When you are all alone in front of the chess board, you need to trust your judgement, you need to see the truth as it unfolds before your eyes. Or you will be outplayed.
Go back to the site I posted below. Can you see better now how the lies work? But dont stay there too long. It is enough to just recognise them for now. That type of "thinking" is why we have stayed stuck for 30 years. They will still be at the same spot 30 years from now so no need to hurry.
Consider carefully ALL the variables and forces
Read this. and then this.
In trying to resolve a problem we need to see all the variables. We cannot bury our heads in the sand. We need to consider deeply because then and only then can we defend our conclusions.
That is the first thing I teach. Think well first then only think well fast. If we do not do that we will face insurmountable doubts as we move along. We will not be able to hold fast to our strategy.
The forces against change both outside and inside our minds will challenge our conclusions. Yes inside our minds too. Have you seen the hesitations on the boards? The change of plan not because of evidence but because of doubt. When the noise gets so loud you cannot think anymore?
So look hard and then decide for yourself. The only one you need to convince, to prove to, is yourself. That is the beginning of confidence. When you can trust yourself and your own conclusions, you can play real chess. Then you are playing against the opponent and not fighting yourself and your doubts. The still mind.
Watch out for the half truths, the misdirections. See if they can join the dots. Look carefully to see if they have acknowledged the evidence; if carefully considered or just reacting.
Then form your own conclusions. As I said before we need to get out of the counselling stage to the coaching stage. In the coaching stage, learning is fast, we can do capacity building etc. etc.
In the counselling stage we go round and round. Most of the comments I deleted are in the first link above. See how they think. You need to recognise the forces against change, against progress.
Good luck.
In trying to resolve a problem we need to see all the variables. We cannot bury our heads in the sand. We need to consider deeply because then and only then can we defend our conclusions.
That is the first thing I teach. Think well first then only think well fast. If we do not do that we will face insurmountable doubts as we move along. We will not be able to hold fast to our strategy.
The forces against change both outside and inside our minds will challenge our conclusions. Yes inside our minds too. Have you seen the hesitations on the boards? The change of plan not because of evidence but because of doubt. When the noise gets so loud you cannot think anymore?
So look hard and then decide for yourself. The only one you need to convince, to prove to, is yourself. That is the beginning of confidence. When you can trust yourself and your own conclusions, you can play real chess. Then you are playing against the opponent and not fighting yourself and your doubts. The still mind.
Watch out for the half truths, the misdirections. See if they can join the dots. Look carefully to see if they have acknowledged the evidence; if carefully considered or just reacting.
Then form your own conclusions. As I said before we need to get out of the counselling stage to the coaching stage. In the coaching stage, learning is fast, we can do capacity building etc. etc.
In the counselling stage we go round and round. Most of the comments I deleted are in the first link above. See how they think. You need to recognise the forces against change, against progress.
Good luck.
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