Question for the tournament anglers

[carolina-rig-01]

This post isn't meant to exclude the recreation angler but I think that tournament anglers will better understand where I am coming from in this post, but if you are a recreation angler and deal with the same thing feel free to chime in.

I guess my question is, does anyone else have trouble turning the heat down a notch when fun fishing? What I mean is when I am fishing a tournament I am always focused to the point of almost being too serious. I am always thinking 3 steps ahead of where I am at right now. For example this time of year when morning bites are short lived but often make or break your day I am worrying about hitting this spot quickly so I can be sure and hit my other morning stops before the sun hits them. I may run 15 miles down the lake to hit a spot that will get sun earlier than another spot and then turn around and run back up the lake 5 or 6 miles to hit a spot that will be protected from the sun a little longer than other spots. This is typical tournament fishing, go hard all day long and breathe when it's over. It's just go go go and fish your heart out. I love that part of fishing and I believe it forces you to become better everytime out. However when I am out fun fishing I can't turn it off. I can't just go out and goof around the lake and maybe fish a little longer than I should on this spot just because I am having a good time, or maybe sit down and eat a sandwhich and drink a water rather than eating and drinking as I fly down the lake while worrying about getting to the next spot. I know I can't be the only guy here who fights this competitive drive and I was wondering how other guys turn it off when they are just out having a good time. I am not looking to get rid of the drive while tournament fishing, I would never want to lose that edge. But rather on days like tomorrow when Britney and I are going to the lake and she will be laying out collecting rays while I am fishing..........I still take it just as serious as if I were fishing for $50K and sometimes I wonder if I would have as much fun if I did tone it down a notch. Anyone else struggle with this?