goal setting/ things I have picked up.
Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 6:07 pm
Ok so have been reading a lot lately and also have a background in coaching for results ( although not in poker) and thought I would share some of the things I have learnt about goal setting and keeping motivated. Most of you may already know or use a lot of this but for those that don't here goes.
When setting up your goals these are a good start
What specifically do you want? Be clear and concise with your goals. If your goals are vague then they will be harder to track.
Are these achievable? Try to be honest and ensure that you set yourself small goals that you can revisit on a regular basis. Setting unrealistic goals will cause you to become disheartened and may affect your progress.
Is this goal within your control? A big one here. As there are so many factors which can cause you not to win that 1 tournament or even the next 100 tournaments (we know them all variance, opponents, timing etc) you need to take this into account.
You goals should be something you can do. You get you money in favourite and lose to a runner, runner straight for example is something outside of your control. But if you goal is to make a good read and get your money in favorite then you have achieved your goal. You may get a run of losses like this but they will come to an end and you will eventually get paid off for your good play.
When you are setting your goals also take into consideration.
1/ What is important to you when playing? Are you playing for fun, to come first, to be profitable or a combination of all of these. How do you ensure you get this out of your game.
2/ What thoughts and feelings do you bring? If you are negative you and feel like a loser you will lose. Try writing positive affirmations to help you bring you back into the right frame of mind. Also anchoring which is covered in a later post is great for regaining focus mid tournament . I also use anchoring in my general life whether it be at work, home or at the tables.
3/ What expectations do you have and are these realistic? If you are setting unrealistic goals you will be setting yourself up for failure and this will carry on to your mindset ( see point 2)
4/What are your strengths and weaknesses? How do you think you can capitalize on your strengths and improve your weakness’s
5/ What resources will you use to learn more? These do not have to cost. Use the people around you, forums such as this, some poker sites (that I wont mention here) have pro advice and videos also free. Also watch and take in as much as you can. When at the table try and watch what is happening around you when you are not in a hand as this is your best opportunity to learn.
In your learning there are 4 stages you will go through. You really want to get to level 4 and this takes time and patience. Good players are constantly looking for anything that may be a number 1 level of learning so they can take the steps to move forward. Here are the four levels:
1/Unconscious incompetence; You don’t know what you don’t know.
2/Conscious incompetence: Becoming aware of what you don’t know.
3/Conscious : Competently doing what you have newly learned but having to think constantly to ensure you are.
4/ Unconscious: Competently doing it without thinking.
When preparing for a big game you can take steps to ensure you are ready to get the best results. Think of the following.
* What kind of preparation do you have before a big game? Are you prepared, well rested, well hydrated, dressed in clothes that you are comfortable in.
* What words or phrases do you use to keep yourself on track throughout the game?
* Do you think have a game plan? What about a plan B if you become short stacked early in the game? What about a backup plan for when short stacked late in the game/ getting close to the money? Remember plans will change dependent on what form of poker you are playing, the number of players at the table and the general play at your table.
* Do you have a plan on how you will play depending on the play on your table? For example different play for a loose passive table compared to tight aggressive table. With this one once you learn it it will become a natural part of your game
* Do you have a plan at for different stages of the game? For example many good players will sit back and watch for the first couple of rounds until they have a read on the players (First time I met benny the cunt he did this and he owned me. He had also researched the players at the table as much as he could. Knew he was a good player then and there). Most players will adjust there bets based on blind levels and the size of the stacks at the tables ( including there own)
Most of this I have learnt through reading and completing courses for work over the years and I have used them at work a lot. They come from a variety of sources and personal experience. Due to this I am not claiming this to be completely original but is my take on what I have learnt. I will post my anchoring post maybe tomorrow if work is as boring as it was today. Let me know if you think this is too long winded as you all know I have a tendency to use 10 words when 1 will suffice.
When setting up your goals these are a good start
What specifically do you want? Be clear and concise with your goals. If your goals are vague then they will be harder to track.
Are these achievable? Try to be honest and ensure that you set yourself small goals that you can revisit on a regular basis. Setting unrealistic goals will cause you to become disheartened and may affect your progress.
Is this goal within your control? A big one here. As there are so many factors which can cause you not to win that 1 tournament or even the next 100 tournaments (we know them all variance, opponents, timing etc) you need to take this into account.
You goals should be something you can do. You get you money in favourite and lose to a runner, runner straight for example is something outside of your control. But if you goal is to make a good read and get your money in favorite then you have achieved your goal. You may get a run of losses like this but they will come to an end and you will eventually get paid off for your good play.
When you are setting your goals also take into consideration.
1/ What is important to you when playing? Are you playing for fun, to come first, to be profitable or a combination of all of these. How do you ensure you get this out of your game.
2/ What thoughts and feelings do you bring? If you are negative you and feel like a loser you will lose. Try writing positive affirmations to help you bring you back into the right frame of mind. Also anchoring which is covered in a later post is great for regaining focus mid tournament . I also use anchoring in my general life whether it be at work, home or at the tables.
3/ What expectations do you have and are these realistic? If you are setting unrealistic goals you will be setting yourself up for failure and this will carry on to your mindset ( see point 2)
4/What are your strengths and weaknesses? How do you think you can capitalize on your strengths and improve your weakness’s
5/ What resources will you use to learn more? These do not have to cost. Use the people around you, forums such as this, some poker sites (that I wont mention here) have pro advice and videos also free. Also watch and take in as much as you can. When at the table try and watch what is happening around you when you are not in a hand as this is your best opportunity to learn.
In your learning there are 4 stages you will go through. You really want to get to level 4 and this takes time and patience. Good players are constantly looking for anything that may be a number 1 level of learning so they can take the steps to move forward. Here are the four levels:
1/Unconscious incompetence; You don’t know what you don’t know.
2/Conscious incompetence: Becoming aware of what you don’t know.
3/Conscious : Competently doing what you have newly learned but having to think constantly to ensure you are.
4/ Unconscious: Competently doing it without thinking.
When preparing for a big game you can take steps to ensure you are ready to get the best results. Think of the following.
* What kind of preparation do you have before a big game? Are you prepared, well rested, well hydrated, dressed in clothes that you are comfortable in.
* What words or phrases do you use to keep yourself on track throughout the game?
* Do you think have a game plan? What about a plan B if you become short stacked early in the game? What about a backup plan for when short stacked late in the game/ getting close to the money? Remember plans will change dependent on what form of poker you are playing, the number of players at the table and the general play at your table.
* Do you have a plan on how you will play depending on the play on your table? For example different play for a loose passive table compared to tight aggressive table. With this one once you learn it it will become a natural part of your game
* Do you have a plan at for different stages of the game? For example many good players will sit back and watch for the first couple of rounds until they have a read on the players (First time I met benny the cunt he did this and he owned me. He had also researched the players at the table as much as he could. Knew he was a good player then and there). Most players will adjust there bets based on blind levels and the size of the stacks at the tables ( including there own)
Most of this I have learnt through reading and completing courses for work over the years and I have used them at work a lot. They come from a variety of sources and personal experience. Due to this I am not claiming this to be completely original but is my take on what I have learnt. I will post my anchoring post maybe tomorrow if work is as boring as it was today. Let me know if you think this is too long winded as you all know I have a tendency to use 10 words when 1 will suffice.
