Why can't I pick all of a sudden?

[onionz]

It's like I lost all my skill overnight. I'm trying to get more feedback and do it by the book rather than pick. Now I can't even pick my master #3. What gives?

[Comrade627]

I've had this happen, here's how I handle it.
First, set down the #3. In my book while the #3 can usually be a 10 second pick, due to the looseness of the plug and overall crapability of a lot of Master locks, sometimes they just don't cooperate. The high angled keyway also gives me issues sometimes. Most Master locks even prevent me from using my favorite picks.
I'll shake my hands around like I'm having a seizure, crack all of my knuckles, do something else for a bit like play a game or whatever then take another crack at it.

Also, check up on your tool maintenance. Perhaps your picks are getting rough, which can throw off your game. Nothing feels more smooth and crisp than a pick with a mirror like shine to it. Check out this recent write up if that statement loses you http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=60309.

If I can't pick to save my life on a random day, I'll go over those things I've mentioned, and take down my speed to much much slower.

[billdeserthills]

Don't make yourself crazy about it, sometimes you have a bad "hair" day and all the sudden nothing wants to pick for ya.
I find that I can't force it and if you give it a break, it'll come back later

[deralian]

Once you get frustrated from trying to pick a lock its all over. Sometimes you just have to stop and come back to it. Try a different lock and then go back. I find I usually end up picking to hard and applying too much tension when I have a lock that wont open for me.

[sentientsentinel]

This happens to me moment to moment sometimes I noticed that when I get frustrated I tend to use to much tension and I start to overset everything too. Start over and relax or just take a break.

[Danbot]

I agree. That works for me too. When I just cant seem to get any feedback and nothing is working...just set it aside for awhile and when you come back to it nice and fresh, its a whole new game!

[deolslyfox]

This happens to everyone. As others noted just put it down and come back later. You will have "super days" too when it seems that every lock you pick up falls open.

That's just part of the fun of the hobby !! If you don't fail now and then success is meaningless.

[KPick]

Yeah bro. Trust me when I say that this has happened to me plenty of times. It's like the electrical impulses that connect certain brain stems to your lock picking memory have become somewhat exhausted from the ongoing picking practice you have put yourself trough. You can just chill for now, possibly for a day, and come back meanwhile your brain rests that area of your memory.