Norman Fischer, a poet and Zen Buddhist priest, said, "We all need to have a creative outlet -- a window, a space -- so we don't lose track of ourselves."
Bridge is a creative outlet, but it can also be a form of escapism. You get so lost in the deals that you forget about the real world.
    While you are a defender in that dreamland, do not forget to keep close track of declarer's high-card points. This is, of course, much easier if he has made a quantitative bid, like a one-no-trump opening. But even without that benefit, you can usually get a reasonable idea of his hand strength.
    Against three hearts, West leads the spade ace: four, nine, three. West cashes the spade king: five, six, seven. How should West continue?
It is not normally right to rebid a five-card suit, but West's spades look like a six-bagger.
    To defeat the declarer, East-West must win five tricks. East's high-low in spades showed his doubleton. So, West can take a third spade trick and has the heart ace in the background. Where is the fifth winner?
If South's two-heart advance is sane, East is (almost) destitute. West's only realistic hope for success is his singleton diamond. At trick three, West should shift to the diamond three.
    Declarer wins in his hand with the queen and plays a low heart, but West rushes in with the ace and leads the spade jack. East should see what is required. He ruffs the trick (assuming he started with two trumps!) and returns a diamond, allowing West to ruff and defeat the contract.