The fifth habit of highly effective people is to seek first to understand, then to be understood. This is one of the codes that Michael Roque lives his life by, and the one that has brought him success through his book “Build Your Game.” He spent five decades compiling strategies, tips, and techniques so that the rest of us could learn it in a year.
In his free time, Mike loves to shoot pool on the billiard table in his basement. He keeps a flip book beside it, to write down notes while he plays. All of his aha! moments and mid game musings were recorded for him to reflect on and learn from.
“I am always looking for the means and ways to improve,” said Mike.
An avid reader, Mike supplemented his experience with instruction books. He saw a need in the pool community for more guidance and advice. His book, which has an insight for every day of the year, was inspired by a similar book he read for another sport. In pool, there is nothing like it. So he decided to write one himself.
What makes Mike Roque qualified to write this book?
He has been competing since he was ten years old. From the moment he saw that first lacquered cue stick glide over a crisp green cloth to strike 9 uniform balls into chaos, he was fascinated.
In high school, Mike’s football coach kept strict policies meant to focus the minds of his players and keep them healthy. He did not allow dating, smoking, drinking, or admission to the pool hall. Mike and his friend would sneak in every day, for a chance to play one more round.
“That’s how you get fascinated by a sport,” said Mike. “You want to do it all the time. You want to eat, drink, and sleep it. It becomes a part of your life.”
His dedication has won Mike many championships. He won the Senior 8-ball Division at the Valley National Tournament in 2005. His team, Stick It, was the BCAIA State Champs in 2004, and took first place at the IAMOA A-Division State Competition in Indiana. They played together for 22 years, taking titles together like BCA Nationals Champions in 1991, and separate like Al Jones’ National win at an 8-ball Tournament in 1992.
Mike’s pool room walls are covered with plaques and trophies. They spill into his office next door, where the desk is hidden beneath notes for his next book. 7 Steps to Becoming a Champion is a hybrid of the general knowledge Mike can apply to all sports and the attitudes he learned studying the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
“You always want to play for fun,” said Mike. “Enjoy the game. But if you want to get serious, get instruction. You want to start out with sound fundamentals because if you practice with bad habits, it’s hard to break them.”
Mike has taught a lot of people how to improve their game. Proceeds from one of his expo book sales went to the BCA, a national program that connects amateur players with certified instructors.
“You want to give back to the game. Plus when you instruct, you learn more. Because you have to go in depth.”
“I learned that my husband is an excellent speaker,” said Linda Roque, Mike’s wife and student. She has not taken pool playing lessons but does attend his class on the 7 Habits. “The best part is the warm up at the beginning. He gets his audience hooked.”
Linda herself was a teacher before she retired. Mike worked for Bethlehem Steel for 35 years. He expected to be drafted after he earned his Business degree so he took a mill job thinking he would start his insurance career when he returned from the Vietnam war. The draft never happened and he liked where he was.
“Bethlehem was so good to me. Every time I turned around, I got a raise, promotions. I put 3 kids through college, paid for weddings and no one had to take out a loan.”
His job exposed him to many things and gave his family opportunities. Mike and Linda started their life together in Gary and were able to move to Portage not long after.
“It’s a friendly community,” he said. “There was a lot of activity for the kids and a lot of churches. Where we chose our house is close to the schools. We’ve been here 47 years so obviously, we like it.”
Mike kept a balance between hard work, time with his family, and hours perfecting his game. He says that to be competitive you have to learn to be comfortable in an uncomfortable situation. You must be mentally tough: and that is the message he sends with his book.