Hello there. Welcome to the Cre8ive Coaching Newsletter. Here is your weekly serving of poker related knowledge regarding on or off the table topics.
There are many important traits for success. In life, and in poker, we are constantly failing and learning. How are we able to stay the course until we see our desired result?
Tristan’s Topic Today:
A doctor’s job is a meaningful one. They have to make decisions that could result in life or death for their patients. How are they able to do this with a moment’s notice? What is their secret? Confidence.
A doctor has prepared for this juncture to make a decision. They’ve spent many years studying in school. More years practicing what to do. They have nurses, other doctors, and help all around. Lastly, they have the previous experience of making big decisions and being successful with their results. If you’re looking to gain confidence in your life, think about how the doctors do it.
Here are ways to build your confidence for playing poker:
1) Study
Through studying we become familiar with what to do in certain spots. We gain knowledge of the important variables and what to focus on to make the proper decision. All the time and energy we put into learning can then be used to create certainty when we are at the tables, flinging chips into the pot. Our actions are more believable because we have insight behind them.
2) Practice
By playing poker we put ourselves into the fire, at the tables. We can see certain tendencies with our opponents, pick up on tells, or notice how they play their ranges. This also creates comfortability within ourselves. We get to digest hands that we play, or we see others play. This awareness puts us in an immediate space to learn. When we are thinking about the game, around the game, or playing the game, it not only affects how we play in the future, it impacts our subconscious every time we visit the felt. Continued training allows for careful execution. Study and practice go hand in hand.
3) Support System
Having loved ones around to support you, or a group of poker friends to talk hands with can be very helpful. There will be rough stretches where your confidence can waver. There will be times when hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of dollars are on the line, or slip through your fingers. Family, friends, and loved ones can put things in perspective. They can reinforce your decision making process, fortify your mindset to stay on course for the journey, be a shoulder to cry on, or an ear to listen to your troubles. Either way, this backing should make you stronger. It should allow you to dust off your worries and get back to work. A good support system won’t let you down. It will only lift you up.
4) Success
Let’s face it… Having success in life (and poker) ultimately creates a level of confidence some people don’t usually acquire. Once we are successful, we start to believe our own ideas, thoughts, and placement. We start to accept where we are and realize that we have worked towards this moment. When you are running well, you become more courageous. Running a big bluff is easier. Being bold in the face of a huge coin flip becomes second nature. Regardless of outcome, fearlessness sets in. We are comfortable and confident no matter what happens. If this isn’t meant to be, the next hand is. We know what we are doing, why we are doing it, and how to do it better than anyone else. Only success can provide this level of sanguine.
When it comes to life, and playing poker, confidence is key. We are going to make mistakes. We are going to get unlucky. Bad things will happen at the wrong moment. There will also be occasions where everything goes right. When we are sitting on the top of the world. During all of these times, we must continue to learn and never stop growing. Control what you can control, put the time and energy into the goal. Failure is inevitable, but with it brings a new understanding, and a new path paved to building confidence.
“It is confidence in our bodies, minds, and spirits that allows us to keep looking for new adventures.” – Oprah Winfrey