the unforced error

An unforced error is

a missed shot or lost point (as in tennis) that is entirely a result of the player’s own blunder and not because of the opponent’s skill or effort

often happening because of impatience; inattention; or taking unnecessary risk.

In other words, completely preventable.

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Life, I find, comes in peaks and troughs.

There are times you feel like nothing gets you down; and opportunities are everywhere. In these cases, play an offensive game and go get ’em.

And then there are other times when nothing seems to go right; and traps are everywhere. In these cases, a defensive game may be your best bet.

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Sometimes when the world’s moving backwards, progress means standing still.

Sometimes that best we can do is simply to make no unforced errors, and leave the offence till a little later on.