Ping Pong Concentration

Whilst playing ping pong I find that I often play surprisingly bad. I invisage the 'shot', line up the action, but then when I hit the ball it goes in some random unexpected direction... I've found the reason why is because i try to play a game of 'adjustment' from intial thoughts rather than simply 'watching the ball'. I seem to lose focus. I seem to get bored of watching the ball. I seem to want to orchestrate the game rather than actually hit every ball properly.

Whilst playing the violin I find that I often play surprisingly bad. I invisage the melody, line up the action, but then when I hit the notes it goes in some random unexpected direction... I've found the reason why is because i try to play a game of adjustement from intial thoughts rather then simply 'listening to the current sound'. I seem to lose focus. I seem to get bored and observe the melody. I seem to want to orchestrate the music rather than actually play every single note.

The performers mind must first be a simple mind.

Either way, the golden rule, set down by michelangelo and bach...
Stop thinking. Start playing. Keep playing.