The importance of Honesty

Hi Guys

Like with anything in life it is easy to over exaggerate ones prowess in a particular field.  This can be ego, self delusion or just plane insecurity.

I often get asked why i have been so honest with my starting level and current ability and the truth is that honesty is indeed the best policy.

If i had stated that i hit a 180 in my first 10 minutes, and was hitting 9 darters within a month it would be quite obviously a lie and why would anyone want to bother with the blog/story further????

Its like the guy in the pub who always has a story of how he beat this 'pro', beat this guy in the pub (that no one remembers)  with a 170 checkout the night before, is hitting 9 darters in practice  and has a 110 average and yet you've never seen him hit over 60, checkout over 20 or win a match????

"i could have bee a PDC player"

 - sure you could, if you had that talent you'd be earning millions and not stacking shelves (nothing wrong with that mind) at the Supermarket!

It just doesn't lend itself to credibility and to be honest makes you look stupid when you don't deliver.  For me it is far better to say "i'm just a novice and trying to get better" because expectations and reputation will be afforded and judged accordingly  rather than promote yourself as the next Taylor  brag about your incredible scoring power and then lose whilst never hitting above 26 (and then blaming everything from the Weather to the state of the economy)

This is why i have and continue to be honest.

If i was a prodigious talent i would be in the PDC now! The reality is that when i started i wasn't a star by any means:

http://mydartinglife.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/how-i-got-into-darts-chapter-3-oh-my.html

By a star i mean someone who is naturally gifted and just has 'it'.

 Bob Anderson was a natural athlete, was an olympic level javelin contender, and played professional football. He hit his first 180 aged 7 with brass darts - that is talent

Gary Anderson's first 9 darts were apparent 2 x 140 and 1 x 180 - that is talent

I got into darts late aged 32, with no prior experience, and a catalogue of injuries and do not have a 'gift' so i have to mechanically work on everything.  I want to be the best i can be however i also have a family and work commitments which means that i cannot dedicate 4-6-8 hours a day to it as a craft like i could if it was avocation i started in my early teens or if aged 32 i was so amazing that it would be worth the risk of quitting the job and winning money in darts!

That is why i am hoping the majority of you will follow my journey and maybe identify with me.

If i can win and achieve my goals in darts and beyond it  will be proof that hard work and determination can win out  over natural talent.

If i play well i will tell you and if i don't i will say i've played sh*t, no BS here and whats more if i do hit silly averages or amazing checkouts you will know its legit. Its why i tend to post my 180's!

Some players have played for years and years and have never had one! I am proud of every one i hit!

As it stands now when 'on' i have a 60-70 average, which has been a high as 100+  before. On a poor day though this can be in the 50's! This put me on same level as the best players in my pub league division and i am confident that i could give anyone in the division a game and win the majority.

I hope this will inspire many who have never or think they can't play to go and have a go at either darts or another sport (health/legality permitting) they love.

Honestly guys it is so worth it!