DR. JOHN's CASE NOTES : THE GOLDILOCKS SYNDROME

It is no accident that fairy tales have endured in Western civilization for many years. They are often viewed as a source of fundamental wisdom to some, and to others an insight to the weaknesses and failings of the human condition. Indeed, it is my contention that Goldilocks and bridge players have a great deal in common.  Several of my clients,  who come to me despairing of their lack of success but searching for answers, all have the classic symptoms of The Goldilocks Syndrome. These include :
(a) Failing to make the right initial choices. Time and time again their first bid or opening lead turns out to be the wrong choice. Consequently,  this constant pressing of the self-destruct button proves fatal,  and the victim gets repeatedly buried under an avalanche of horrendous bottoms. and below average scores.
(b) A perverse inability to take even basic precautions. Often, in playing a game contract it may be necessary to make appropriate safety plays, such as taking out trumps, eliminating side suits, and severing opponents' communications. By not recognizing or looking out for potential risks, GS sufferers ignore the idea of taking any precautions, and as a result they pay a heavy price when straightforward, easily makeable, contracts go off. 
(c) Pushing one's luck too far. In bridge, luck often plays a part in one's occasional moments of triumph and glory, but those with the Goldilocks Syndrome allow these rare episodes of good fortune to go to straight to their heads,  by drawing illogical conclusions. For instance, they start to associate winning with good luck, believing that's all they need to get by . So by relying on luck to obtain favourable results, they fail to focus on what is really needed to achieve success at this game: namely, talent, dedication, and hard work. 
So getting my clients out of the wood has never been easy task for me despite my expertise in the field. In fact,  more and more sufferers knock on my surgery door every week : half decent players who have eventually succumbed to bouts of impulsive, reckless and cavalier behaviour, as the Goldilocks child within them begins to break free.