A few weeks ago, I wrote about the psychology behind playing Go. This time, I want to talk about something even more important, something that applies not only to Go, but to almost everything in life.
Your attitude.
Honestly, I believe attitude is one of the biggest factors behind improvement and long-term success. Whether you’re learning Go, starting a new job, going to the gym, or picking up any new skill, you’ve probably noticed something interesting: some people improve incredibly fast, while others stay stuck for years.
Why is that?
In my experience, the answer is rarely talent alone. A huge part of it comes down to mindset.
One thing I’ve seen many times is people blaming everything except themselves when things go wrong. They blame bad luck, difficult opponents, lack of time, or circumstances outside their control. But the moment you stop taking responsibility for your mistakes, you also stop learning from them. And that slows improvement more than anything else.
Of course, having more free time, better study materials, or stronger opponents can help. But none of those things matter if your mindset is wrong. Without the right attitude, even the best resources become useless. If you look at top Go players, they all share something in common: a healthy attitude toward learning and improvement.
That’s why I always tell my students that improvement is not about how many books you own, how many games you play, or how much money you spend on lessons. Those things can help, but they are secondary. What matters most is how you approach the process.
What Makes a Good Mindset?
- • Focus on the quality of your play, not only the result
Winning doesn’t automatically mean you played well, and losing doesn’t automatically mean you played badly. Sometimes you win because your opponent made a bigger mistake. Sometimes you lose despite playing a strong game overall. What truly matters is the quality of your decisions and whether you are improving from game to game.
- • Stay curious
Good players are always willing to learn. They ask questions, explore new ideas, and stay open-minded even when they’re wrong. Ego kills improvement faster than mistakes ever will. And no matter your level, there is always something you can learn from someone else.
- • Take responsibility
If you lose, try to understand why instead of searching for excuses. Responsibility is powerful because it gives you control. Once you accept that your mistakes are yours, you also gain the ability to fix them. That’s where real progress begins.
- • Don’t hide behind AI
This is something I see more and more often. Saying “AI says this move is correct” means very little if you don’t actually understand the idea behind it. Memorizing moves without understanding creates the illusion of improvement, but not real strength. Understanding always matters more than copying.
- • Appreciate progress
Improvement is a long journey, and most progress happens slowly. Celebrate small victories. Notice the things you understand now that confused you a few months ago. Support other players when they improve too. A healthy mindset makes the entire process more enjoyable and sustainable.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, attitude shapes everything. Two people can study the same material, play the same number of games, and spend the same amount of time practicing, yet one improves dramatically faster simply because they approach learning differently.
With the right mindset, improvement becomes much easier. Not because the game becomes easier, but because you learn how to handle failure, pressure, mistakes, and growth in a healthier way. And honestly, that skill goes far beyond Go.
So what do you think? Do you believe attitude is one of the biggest factors behind improvement?
