Ronnie O'Sullivan insists he is attempting to put himself in the best position to play snooker for as long as possible.
The Rocket says he is no longer 'scared' of playing and says longevity is key to everything he is doing in the sport.
O'Sullivan qualified for his 22nd World Snooker Championship quarter-final on Monday with a 13-7 win over Ryan Day.
He won three of the four frames played today to round off a comfortable victory and set up a clash against Jack Lisowski or Stuart Bingham later this week.
Ronnie O'Sullivan beat Ryan Day to reach the quarter-final of the World Snooker Championship
BBC
Despite the comfortable nature of the scoreline, O'Sullivan insists it was anything but at the Crucible.
He told the BBC that a new approach to playing has helped him overcome demons in recent weeks.
O'Sullivan said: "I don't know if it was comfortable - I thought Ryan made it tough for me.
"If I'd not been as tight or as clinical in some situations, he would probably have got on more of a roll at times.
"I was pleased to be able to stem that at points and try to have an impact when I got a chance.
"Early days for me, trying this new way of playing, different style of cueing, just to get away from the 'yips' as I call it, the easiest way of explaining it.
"It's been hard work for two years and I decided I couldn't continue playing like that so I had to make some changes so it's the body and mind trying to catch up with each other.
"I've got some of it right, it's just the other pieces need to fall in - I'm trying to work out the puzzle."
O'Sullivan has often documented the mental struggles he faces when playing snooker.
Earlier this year he admitted he had stage fright after pulling out of two tournaments.
But the 48-year-old is no longer scared and is hoping that feeling lasts for a sustained period of time.
O'Sullivan added: "It feels like I want to play, I want to get my cue out of the case. I'm not scared of the table, I'm not scared of the balls.
"I'm scared of some other things but not that, which is the most important thing.
"When you're confident in your ability to do something given the chance, you feel all right.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
- Police reviewing footage after video emerges of man biting a young boy's ear at World Snooker Championship
- Ronnie O'Sullivan told he should never play World Snooker Championship again if he accepts new proposal
- BBC branded 'top of the woke league' as Mark Lawrenson makes feelings clear on exit - 'Frightened to death'
Ronnie O'Sullivan has changed his approach to playing in recent weeks
Getty
"For me it's more about longevity - how long can I play for? Snooker events are not everything for me.
"I play enough but there's a bigger picture with how I like spending my time, being away, travelling.
"I'm at a different stage of my career to most players on the Tour so it's just about enjoying places I go and playing and trying to find that.
"At my age, it's easy to say I could stay at home and walk the dogs, watch a bit of TV, go to the gym and go on shopping trips to Westfield and Waitrose and all that sort of stuff. So I have to find other ways to motivate myself."
Ronnie O'Sullivan is through to a 22nd quarter-final at the World Snooker Championship
Getty
O'Sullivan says he had to take anxiety medication but now feels in a much better place.
He continued: "I've had such a long time in the doldrums. Two years I've held it down, I've not really mentioned anything, but it's been really challenging.
"Even had to take medication for the anxiety and that sort of stuff. Even in the small tournaments, even when I'm not playing.
"That's how bad the game can make me feel at times. I didn't want to do that any more and I've just had a bit of excitement the last few weeks, feeling like I can get through the ball a bit better."
