I picked up this book while I was in Los Angeles at a bookstore near the hotel I was staying at. I heard about this book from David DeAngelo, because apparently Timothy Gallwey is the one who created this whole concept of “Inner Game.”
Since then, the Inner Game concept is well-known (especially throughout the community) and it’s something that fascinates me. I decided to read the book itself and see what I could learn.
I wasn’t disappointed. Timothy Gallwey talks about the idea of Inner Game, but in this books case in the area of tennis. However, the concepts and principles basically apply to all aspects of life. There are major comparisons of the Inner Game of sports and when it comes to approaching and meeting women.
In the introduction, Tim talks about how every game is composed of two parts: Inner Game and Outer Game. Or, in the area of meeting and dating women, there is the composition of Inner and Outer Game. I also like to think of it as Psychology and the Mechanics.
The outer game is played against an external opponent to overcome external obstacles, and to reach an external goal. Mastering this game is the subject of many books offering instructions on how to swing a racket, club or bat, and how to position arms, legs or torso to achieve the best results. But for some reason most of us find these instructions easier to remember than to execute.
It is the thesis of this book that neither mastery nor satisfaction can be found in the playing of any game without giving some attention to the relatively neglected skills of the inner game. This is the game that takes place in the mind of the player, and it is played against such obstacles as lapses in concentration, nervousness, self-doubt and self-condemnation. In short, it is played to overcome all habits of mind which inhibit excellence in performance.
We often wonder why we play so well one day and so poorly the best, or why we clutch during competition, or blow easy shots. And why does it take so long to break a bad habit and learn a new one? Victories in the inner game may provide no additions to the trophy case, but they bring valuable rewards which are more permanent and which can contribute significantly to one’s success, off the court as well as on.
Continue reading ‘The Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallwey’
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