0_Ivan_0

I have been reading this forums for a couple of years. I have noticed the difference in judgement and analysis of many posters. I have also seen these differences at the table. I have read enough bridge material to accept the statement that bridge is a game of mistakes: those who commit less mistakes are usually the winners. I have defined two main mistakes at the bridge table: knowledge mistakes and performance mistakes. Solving knowledge mistakes is the easy part, it takes studying and hard work (I have read that talent is a myth and for the purpose of this question, I agree). Nevertheless, it is the second kind of mistakes that baffles me. I have been wondering whether there might be a formula to prevent performance mistakes or at least to improve in that area. How can the mind be forced to concentrate on hands that look too easy? How do you force the mind to forget about the last hand or hands and keep focus on the one being played? How can you stop being nervous because the match you're playing is the most important and the final result depends on you performing well? How can you force yourself to remember your system all the time and not to forget that you play this sequence different with this partner than with another? How can you force your mind to be always as alert as when you saw and performed that squeeze or expert play? I have been thinking there could be some help in psychology or maybe that's just what distinguishes us from the experts. But then it would be very sad, like running against top athletes when you have a limp. I'll be really glad to read your two cents.