Trying to become pro

[RBerenguel]

Leyleth, the "science" and research of motivation is hard (this is why there are so many self-help books.. if you are interested, read Steven Pressfield's The War of Art, it's not self-help but it's interesting). And a lot of people have different ways to do it, keeping your goals works for some, screaming them to the world works for others. I hope you are one of the later

[Actorios]

I've noticed that my sentence was misinterpreted. I'm french, therefore my english is bad. I thought the sentence was clear and, for that, I apologize.

What I meant by: "I'll send you back this vid when I got stronger than you" wasn't meant to be aggressive or threatening. I meant that it doesn't matter if you say your goals or not. What does matter is determination to follow and beat them. This is why I replied that way. It wasn't mean or anything. In the end, it comes back to: "I'll prove your video wrong by becoming strong myself".

Sorry if it has been misinterpreted.

I think you misinterpreted me as well (maybe my post was a bit too short).

I didn't want to say that you can't expect progress from your current rank.
Getting soon "stronger than I am" is all the harm I wish you.

I personally find this video inspiring and I believe it is true (and not only applicable to go). That's the reason I mentioned it. There's nothing wrong to have high hopes but it may not serve you to communicate too much upon them, especially that early in your go practice.

As far as getting to a professional level, I believe this is a very agressive target to say the least. As far as I know, there is only one player in France who can claim to be a professional player and he is paid by the national federation. Of course, you can earn a living in Asia but as other people mentioned, you'd have to compete against people who are into go from the very early age.
I wouldn't recommend this path for the reason above and also for the very same reason I wouldn't recommend my child a professional sport carrier. Very few are elected for a lot of candidates. And for those who fail the conclusion is likely to have a very bitter taste (maybe you can read "First Kyu" as a novel as an illustration). Focusing on studies first, if that's the stage you're at, is a better investment IMHO.

The good thing is that you don't have to be a professional to enjoy go (and make progress).

P.S. En passant, je suis français également

[Leyleth]

I've noticed that my sentence was misinterpreted. I'm french, therefore my english is bad. I thought the sentence was clear and, for that, I apologize.

What I meant by: "I'll send you back this vid when I got stronger than you" wasn't meant to be aggressive or threatening. I meant that it doesn't matter if you say your goals or not. What does matter is determination to follow and beat them. This is why I replied that way. It wasn't mean or anything. In the end, it comes back to: "I'll prove your video wrong by becoming strong myself".

Sorry if it has been misinterpreted.

I think you misinterpreted me as well (maybe my post was a bit too short).

I didn't want to say that you can't expect progress from your current rank.
Getting soon "stronger than I am" is all the harm I wish you.

I personally find this video inspiring and I believe it is true (and not only applicable to go). That's the reason I mentioned it. There's nothing wrong to have high hopes but it may not serve you to communicate too much upon them, especially that early in your go practice.

As far as getting to a professional level, I believe this is a very agressive target to say the least. As far as I know, there is only one player in France who can claim to be a professional player and he is paid by the national federation. Of course, you can earn a living in Asia but as other people mentioned, you'd have to compete against people who are into go from the very early age.
I wouldn't recommend this path for the reason above and also for the very same reason I wouldn't recommend my child a professional sport carrier. Very few are elected for a lot of candidates. And for those who fail the conclusion is likely to have a very bitter taste (maybe you can read "First Kyu" as a novel as an illustration). Focusing on studies first, if that's the stage you're at, is a better investment IMHO.

The good thing is that you don't have to be a professional to enjoy go (and make progress).

P.S. En passant, je suis français également

I like how everything has been misinterpreted

I'm perfectly aware that my chances are small in becoming go pro. This is why I'm currently focusing on finishing my college. During the winter break, I'll be serious about go. Just to see if I can do it. Some people told me that if I could manage to get my shodan in Feburary, it would be a sign that I could have the potential for it.

The reason why I'm aiming for pro, is because I really like the game (many sleepless nights spent playing/studying so far) and I seriously got no ambition as what I should do of my life. Training for go is fun and I really enjoy it. However, I'm keeping school as a backup plan in case I would fail (which I will do everything to avoid).

Talking about this goal helps me to keep up with it. Especially on this kind of forum. Some people do encourage me and some others tell me to stop. Therefore, I got 2 sources of motivation: Help and my will to prove the "non-believers" that they were wrong. This is why I post often my progress.

P.S: Des bonjours du Québec!

[speedchase]

Leyleth, I believe you can do it. I am 8kyu soon to be 7kyu (hopefully), and I would like to play a game with you sometime!

[Leyleth]

Leyleth, I believe you can do it. I am 8kyu soon to be 7kyu (hopefully), and I would like to play a game with you sometime!

Add me as a friend on KGS and message me if you see me online (I'll do the same for you). I'm in the English Game Room, Salle Québecoise, KGS Teaching Ladder, Life19x19 Room, Advanced Study Room, Canadian Room, Salle Française and that's pretty much it Hope we have one in common. I'm mostly playing euh... all the time?

[speedchase]

Sounds great, I would say we should play sometime this weekend, but I have spent all afternoon Friday, and all morning playing and studying so I have to get some homework done .

[Leyleth]

Life as a 6k...

- Not so different then 7k...
- Start to build in 3 dimensions and your opponent helps you make a moyo
- Most of the 6k are some invading maniacs. Let them invade and build influence meanwhile
- Take your time to play. Playing too fast will give you lots of trouble

So far so good, after 30 games as 6k, I won 83% of my games (5 losses, thx to speedchase). My graphic still doesn't stop rising. Pretty nice to see such an uphill line. Without studying, I'm rising 1k per month.

Nice quote from someone (me) who has been through depression: "Living can sometimes be worst than dying". When I look at my games, I can't help but noticing how everytime my opponent invades me, I end up in a better position even if he lives. Of course, the quote doesn't mean to let your opponent live as soon as he invades. What can be punished should be punished. However, don't try to punish something that can't be punished. Instead, try to win somewhere else while your opponent struggles to live.

[Leyleth]

Back to a losing streak... Guess this game has a cycle

[Leyleth]

Even if I'm playing go when I can (sometimes going as far as not sleeping at all) I don't have enough time. With Christmas and family things, I barely have time. So far, I faked being sick twice just to be able to play go. Wasn't enough. As we enter January, I see that the objective of being shodan in February was too hard. I don't have enough time to play.

I commanded some go books (Fuseki, Attack and Defense, Invincible, etc.), but they should arrive between 8th of January and 16th of February. And I start school again the 23th of January...

I've gotten way stronger than I expected in the short time I've been playing. Right now, I'm about 4k on KGS. I win easily as a 6 kyu but my rank still won't go up. I'll have to make a new account in February to see my true level.

As I said above, I can now see that my odds of succeeding are incredibly low. Perhaps you guys were right and the challenge was too ambitious. However, as long as I can make it, I'll try. More sleepless nights and spendings on go books coming ahead.

I'll soon have to decide what I'll do at the University. Perhaps I should just wait and get a decent job. Now that I'm thinking about it, maybe I should just go to Japan/Korea/China after College even if I haven't completed my objective...

Anyway, too much writing, not enough playing. For now, I'll go to sleep since it's been 3 days straight I haven't slept.

[gowan]

Even if I'm playing go when I can (sometimes going as far as not sleeping at all) I don't have enough time. With Christmas and family things, I barely have time. So far, I faked being sick twice just to be able to play go. Wasn't enough. As we enter January, I see that the objective of being shodan in February was too hard. I don't have enough time to play.

I commanded some go books (Fuseki, Attack and Defense, Invincible, etc.), but they should arrive between 8th of January and 16th of February. And I start school again the 23th of January...

I've gotten way stronger than I expected in the short time I've been playing. Right now, I'm about 4k on KGS. I win easily as a 6 kyu but my rank still won't go up. I'll have to make a new account in February to see my true level.

As I said above, I can now see that my odds of succeeding are incredibly low. Perhaps you guys were right and the challenge was too ambitious. However, as long as I can make it, I'll try. More sleepless nights and spendings on go books coming ahead.

I'll soon have to decide what I'll do at the University. Perhaps I should just wait and get a decent job. Now that I'm thinking about it, maybe I should just go to Japan/Korea/China after College even if I haven't completed my objective...

Anyway, too much writing, not enough playing. For now, I'll go to sleep since it's been 3 days straight I haven't slept.

It is not impossible to become a professional go player starting at your age. James Kerwin, pro shodan, finished college in the USA and then went to Japan to study to be a pro. He was the first Western player to become a pro at the Nihon Ki-in. He qualified on special recommendation, not through the pro qualification tournament, but he justified his rank by winning the pro shodan section of the Kisei tournament. He returned to the USA shortly after that and has been teaching on line and at workshops since then. His nickname on KGS is "farmboy". Maybe he could give you some useful advice.

[Shaddy]

I'm willing to teach you if you want, but I have a problem getting on KGS. If you're ok with IGS, I'll do it.

[tapir]

Sleeping enough is a major way to improve not only in Go but performance everywhere. Faking sickness to do something is a major indicator of addiction and this isn't good even if you believe it just shows your commitment.

Happy new year!

[Joaz Banbeck]

... it's been 3 days straight I haven't slept.

Just a steady sleeping schedule could make you a stone or two stronger.

[OtakuViking]

How true. I know all too well the temptation of skipping sleep but it is very very bad for you.

[CnP]

yeh, when the brain is tired it's impared on the same level as being drunk (I hear). I imagine playing drunk is a complete waste of time.