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Setting Goals & motivation

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 12:52 pm
by 666HARPS666
G'day ,
We all need to have goals in everything we set out too do . i.e, When i 1st started 888pl was N.P.L. My 1st goal was to win a card-guard . Not much but thats what i wanted . Next was too try & make Regionals / Semis . All done 8-) .
This is where my dilemma/Motivation comes into it . :shock:
I have found myself content on just chasing points (any points position & i think well done )after all , I had achieved what i set out too do .Reached my Goals .
Now here's my question :?: How do i change my attitude , i.e get the Motivation back set new Goals ? Get that wanting too win urge back ? Not be content with just being in the points .But "lets say" the will to kill @ F/T ?

I am having a mid poker crisis

What are your goals ?
How do you go about reaching them & / or setting new Goals for your-selfs ?

would love as much feedback as i can get on this one ;)

Cheers [_])

Re: Setting Goals & motivation

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:08 pm
by pundies
I have just recently thought about doing this, so I have set myself a couple. I have only been playing for 18 months and my poker life has been a little fast tracked. With 888pl (or NPL as it was) I won the state final before I even actually qualified for it (FT's the night before event). But I would like to play in the 888pl GF, so I guess with 888pl getting a ticket for that is now a goal.

This year my main poker goal is to try and qualify for the Aussie Millions 2011 Main event. I came close this year (19th in a Phase 3 with 12 seats awarded). I didnt start playing phases until late in the year, so my aim is to get a few Phase 1 & 2's collected earlier and then play them closer to the time. I really enjoy playing Satelittes and do quite well in them, so the more I can play will hopefully see me reach my goal.

My other goal is to get my head around this 'maths of poker' business & become a better online player. I know I also have to do it to improve my live game as well. I have no intention of totally changing my game but I know there are situations I need to bring this in, so my learning in this area will continue.

My advice would be to pick a couple of things you want to do. Perhaps you want to play a tournament outside of 888pl, read a particular poker book, play a particular online tournament? Once you achieve these, move on to the next thing. Constantly setting new goals is what keeps me motivated, not just in poker but in life in general. GL Harps : )

Re: Setting Goals & motivation

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:11 pm
by trishan
Harps you might want to have a look at this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=4349

A few of us reflected on 2009 and listed goals for 2010.

Re: Setting Goals & motivation

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 3:55 pm
by gmatical
My main goal this season is to bad beat Trishan! :D

As well as that I want to WIN one of those murrin rebuy tourneys and finish 1st on at least one of the regular 888pl online games I play.

I struggle a bit for goals and motivation when it comes to poker - because life is so variable and things get in the way.

Your info says you live in VIC - have you ever played a Crown tourney before?

I think these could allow you to set an goal which you can be proud of. I always feel proud when I cash @ a Crown tourney. They are not super expensive - nor is the competition super tough.



If you have already achieved this goal - why not change games?

All other popular poker variations are fairly easy to pick up and the change is as good as a holiday.

I hope you get thru your poker life crisis :P

Re: Setting Goals & motivation

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 6:54 pm
by wabbit999
Hey Harps, I think everyones goals are different and that there is no point in telling my goals...

I think you need to ask yourself, whats your big goal... then set little goals that will help you get there.

Perhaps reading books like The Magic of Thinking Big might help you find some of those goals.

Most importantly you need to be enjoying what your doing whether it be Poker, Sex or Poker... if your not having fun then no amout of goal setting will help... if your finding yourself having a mid life poker crisis, then perhaps in honestly take a break don't play because you feel obligated. I'm sure that even a few nights away from playing will clear your mind and help you remember what it is you enjoy about it.

Re: Setting Goals & motivation

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 11:21 pm
by 666HARPS666
wabbit999 wrote:Hey Harps, I think everyones goals are different and that there is no point in telling my goals...

I think you need to ask yourself, whats your big goal... then set little goals that will help you get there.

Perhaps reading books like The Magic of Thinking Big might help you find some of those goals.


That just it Mike , I don't have any goals now :? On Sunday i went further than i ever expected " Semis were just(for me)about seeing mates i play with online . & a bit of poker ,
Maybe i enjoyed the social aspect of it for far too long & have not taken it seriously enough ? " I know i did ".
Now the social side seems less/non important .
The other part too my question was about motivation .

How do i get motivated ?
what motivates others ?

Re: Setting Goals & motivation

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 11:28 pm
by Brett Kay
666HARPS666 wrote:
wabbit999 wrote:Hey Harps, I think everyones goals are different and that there is no point in telling my goals...

I think you need to ask yourself, whats your big goal... then set little goals that will help you get there.

Perhaps reading books like The Magic of Thinking Big might help you find some of those goals.


That just it Mike , I don't have any goals now :? On Sunday i went further than i ever expected " Semis were just(for me)about seeing mates i play with online . & a bit of poker ,
Maybe i enjoyed the social aspect of it for far too long & have not taken it seriously enough ? " I know i did ".
Now the social side seems less/non important .
The other part too my question was about motivation .

How do i get motivated ?
what motivates others ?


Motivation is an individual thing, I just watched a video on Chipmeup from a player that used to grind a lot. His exact quote. "I hate poker a lot, only reason i play is for the money."

That is one viewpoint for motivation, be the last man standing with all the cash. How do you do that? Do you start playing tournaments for the win, the challenge or to just play?

If it is just for the win - Need to start improving your game in certain spots. Start thinking about situations, start at small stakes and slowly graduate to the larger stakes. E.g. i want to win 5 $3 games before i can play $5. Tourneys over a certain number.

If it is the challenge, start playing cash instead of tourneys. Your money on the line, BRM, hand ranges vs opponents, and just in general getting yourself into those positions where the opponent has made a mistake which you can capitalise on. Like a game of chess.

If your playing just for the fun and the feel of the game. Introduce it to others, teach them, get a feeling of self worth from seeing their first win, their first big pot e.t.c.

Many ways to make the game mean more to you, than the game itself.

Re: Setting Goals & motivation

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 11:46 pm
by wabbit999
Its the challange that motivates me, building my bankroll, trying to work out in each game where i might have gone wrong, what can i do next time. Everyone has their own motivations, its hard for anyone to say what motivates them will motivate you...

Hard to get motivated if your not having the fun... and your post reads like that to me...

Take a rest mate... sometimes you can over do it. Come back before the GF and kick our arses :)