Imagine being fully present, in the moment, and acutely aware of your surroundings and what you are doing, and not overly reactive to what's happening around you. That's the focus. That's mindfulness. Truthfully, the ability to be mindful of oneself in the space-time continuum is a tremendous gift. All too often, we veer off course and lose focus. Indeed, with so much going on around us at any given time, it's all too easy for our minds to take flight. And yet mindfulness and focus are sacrosanct. They form the bedrock of success in life. When we dedicate ourselves to the tasks at hand, we focus all our mental energy and powers of concentration on a singular objective. That is how winning is done!
Today, we pull back the curtains on two interrelated features as they pertain to the prowess of professional card players. Mindfulness and focus are crucial. Only when we are fully present, mindful of where and what we are doing, can we apply ourselves to the subject matter at hand? Listening with half an ear, reading while distracted, or playing without focus simply doesn't work. We have to be mindful and focused to succeed. Every game has a twofold purpose – entertainment and success. The sages tell us that the journey and not the destination matters, but professional card players beg to differ. The outcome is the culmination of the collective efforts, including tactics, strategies, mindfulness, and focus.
Techniques to Improve Mindfulness and Focus
People will typically gravitate towards something they enjoy and avoid things they don't. Fortunately, professional card players love what they do. That makes it much easier for them to be mindful and focused on the cards at hand. Nonetheless, distractions abound. When we are mindful, we are fully present. We understand precisely where we are and what we are doing. More importantly, we aren't easily distracted by anything around us.
Luckily, every single human being is capable of being mindful. It's not a skill reserved for society's elite, the well-heeled, or the educated. All that's required is a structured approach to implement a mindful state. To better understand the value of mindfulness and focus, we should take a moment to understand the inherent benefits. Mindful people have reduced stress, improved awareness, and sharper acuity. We are far more effective when we focus on a singular task than the rather chaotic nature of real life.
Each card game is different, and yet they bear many similarities. Mindfulness and focus in solitaire games require absolute attention to detail. Many solitaire players cannot concentrate with a countdown clock, limited cards, and multiple columns to manage simultaneously. It's a little overwhelming, to be sure. However, mindfulness is an excellent state of mind that helps you focus on the tasks at hand. When you're in the moment, you're not perturbed by the dogs barking in the background, the actions of others, or the hullabaloo in the news. The only thing you need to focus on is the cards you're dealt, the timer, and the best strategy to clear out all those cards.
- Breathe deeply. Inhale. Exhale. Nothing clears the mind faster than slow, deliberate breathing. If your pulse is racing, deep breathing will slow it down, keep erratic thoughts from entering your mind, and allow you to focus on the tasks at hand.
- Practice emotional balance. This is much easier said than done, but it's necessary. Anyone who plays skill-based games, or chance-based games understands that playing on tilt – emotional highs and lows – can ruin your game. You want to play when you are in the middle – neither nor down. That's the right frame of mind.
- Avoid all distractions. We can't stress this enough. The world's best card players routinely advise everyone to avoid distractions as much as possible. This means turning off notifications on your phone, or silencing it, switching off the TV, and closing your door to limit the noise. Always focus on the game – solitaire demands 100% focus.
- Take regular breaks. During a long session of play, this is undoubtedly one of the most important tips to remember. By taking regular breaks, you can refresh your mind, sharpen your senses, and go into every single game with newfound resolve. It's the reset button in your mind. It's a tincture that works wonders.
- Focus on the moment. In card games, tactics and strategies are important. Even if you don't win the round, proven strategies can shave valuable time off the clock, allowing you to finish as much as possible, as quickly as possible. When you're in the moment, you're paying attention to the cards on the table. That's important folks.
- Be self-aware. This is a learned skill and it indicates that you should take some time to reflect on your feelings and your thoughts while you're playing. Don't let them distract you, but understand that certain behaviors may be impeding your performance. When you are more self-aware, you can implement the necessary changes to play a better game.
- Be grateful. Despite our best efforts as card players, there is always an element of chance in every single game. When the luck of the cards goes your way, it's peachy. But this won't always happen. Take some time to reflect on what transpired, and take it in your stride. Be grateful for your wins and the lessons learned from your losses.
Now that you’re fully cognizant of what’s required, you can confidently go about playing solitaire games at your leisure. Remember, the path to success is laden with challenges. Learning, patience and practice will get you there. But one must be mindful and focused at all times.
