Chapter 53 If I don't stop worrying, I'll be in the coffin

I have played professional baseball for over 63 years.Initially joining the field is unpaid.We played in a deserted field and often tripped over the debris on the ground.After the game, we handed out our hats to the crowd to collect their money.The money collected in this way is too little to support the widowed mother and younger siblings.Even so, sometimes teams have to put on a few hilarious shows to keep the game going. A lot of things bothered me, I was the manager of a baseball club that was at the bottom seven years in a row and lost 800 games in eight years.The string of failures left me so worried that I couldn't eat or sleep.However, since 25 years ago I stopped bothering.I knew if I didn't stop worrying, I'd be in the coffin.

Looking back on the long life course (I was born in the era of President Lincoln) and summing up the lessons of life, I found that the reason why I was able to conquer troubles and live until now is related to the following methods: One, I realized that worrying doesn't do any good, that it doesn't help my life other than it hurts my baseball career. 2. Anxiety is harmful to one's health but not beneficial. 3. I keep myself so busy planning how to win one game after another that I don't have time to worry about losing. 4. I set a rule for myself: within 24 hours after the game, I will not criticize the mistakes made by the players.In the past, I always changed clothes with the players. After a loss, I couldn't help criticizing them and arguing with them mercilessly.I've found that not only does this add to my annoyance, but it also makes the players resentful and unwilling to cooperate, maybe I'm embarrassing them too much.Unable to control my tongue, I had no choice but to not meet the players after a loss and not discuss it with them until the next day.At this time, I have calmed down and can discuss things very rationally, and the players will not be too emotional.

Fifth, often give some praise to the players to stimulate their fighting spirit.Before that, I always found fault and blamed them blindly. 6. I find that when I am physically and mentally tired, troubles will come to my mind, so I keep ten hours of rest every day, and insist on taking a nap in the afternoon, even if it is a five-minute nap, it is also very helpful to boost my spirits. 7. In the busyness, I have eliminated all kinds of troubles and extended my life span.Now that I'm 85, I don't want to retire yet.Of course, I know I am old when I repeat these stories over and over again.

Connie Mack hadn't read such books, but he still made some rules for himself.Why don't you make a list of things you find beneficial?