Poker is something that has been a major part of my life now for about 7 years. It is funny because I feel like I just begun playing in so many ways yet a little less then a third of my life has involved this game. The game has changed my life in so many was, granted me opportunities that I definitely would not have experienced (WSOP Vegas Trip, Bahamas Trip, really any vacation I ever took while in college), but it has taught me so much more.
Poker has taken a back seat over the past 18 months. It is no longer my primary source of income or the focal point of my day, it really hsa taken a back seat. However, in so many different aspects of my life--it still plays a vibrant part. Today, I was trying to walk from one part of campus to the other whithout contracting frostbite and I began thinking about my job here...about if it's where I want to be and if it's not what do I do to go about changing this situation. I started thinking about whether to be aggressive in my job search now or wait patiently.
The more I thought about it, the more it made me laugh. It really is the same type of decision I am making when I'm at the table. Understanding the situation, the people around me, and what the best move for me to make at this time is. There are so many variables that are in play in every decision...in life and in poker. Before I was trying to understand why the person at the table was doing what he was doing. What was the reason he bet the way he did and why did he glance at his cards so often? Now I'm understanding the state of the economy as well as the timing of my move.
Obviously, there are many differences in these two examples as one is a game and the other is life. I would be silly to think that the correlation between the two is extremely strong but it still made me chuckle that I was glancing back at my Poker Hay Day when trying to decide what the best move for my career was...one this is for sure--it's not going to be playing poker professionally.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Defining Defining Moments
We all have “life changing” moments. The moments that bring tears, goose bumps, smiles…whatever the occasion calls for brings a reaction. We tend to focus so much on these events and how that has been “the best or worst thing” that has happened. Our minds latch onto these moments and obsession becomes a proper word to explain your emotions. As important as these moments may seem or be…it’s really what we do next that is important.
My senior year of college, well much can be said about those 9 months so I will do my best to not digress. As my undergraduate career was coming to an (much anticipated) end, I was pretty sure I knew the direction I would be going in…by pretty sure I mean I applied to one graduate school and only one job. I had been given guarantees by so many people around me on both of those options that both SEEMED like a sure thing. I remember sitting in my 3 hour senior seminar with Dr. Melanie Murphy, planning my next year. The apartment I would live in, the friends I would surround myself with, the commute back and forth to Boston College. I vividly remember watching a Boston College basketball game in late March that year and being like, YES, free tickets! It’s easy to guess what direction this is going…3 days prior to commencement, I received a letter and a phone call within 3 minutes of each other—one reading “WAIT LIST” the other saying Thanks, but no thanks.
Being a fortunate kid who also tried to work hard I was not use to getting “No’s” and was devastated. Humiliated is almost a better word…I was pretty confident that I would land on my feet eventually, but to have all those conversations with people who reassured me that it was “in the bag” and not to mention the dreadful conversation with the parents. Ugh, I was not in a happy place…but 2 years later I am with an M.Ed and hung out in Tampa, FL for pretty much free.
It could have been easy for me to throw in the towel and take a different career path. I could have taught history or even (gulp, close your eyes mom) played poker professionally for a year. These are the moments that make us strong; it’s the mental war that is battled viciously from one side of your brain to the other. Leadership is a funny word, that can be defined many different ways…but some of the best leadership qualities people can possess are used when no one is around. Pulling yourself up off the ground, fighting through those times whether they are good or bad. It’s not about THAT moment; it’s about what you do with the outcome.
We all CAN be great, it’s knowing how to take advantage of the growing moments. If you want to grow, want to be great, want to be happy—you need to see those moments and embrace them. The good and the bad, it’s not always going to feel good but when you look back at your life, you will understand the importance of these moments.
My senior year of college, well much can be said about those 9 months so I will do my best to not digress. As my undergraduate career was coming to an (much anticipated) end, I was pretty sure I knew the direction I would be going in…by pretty sure I mean I applied to one graduate school and only one job. I had been given guarantees by so many people around me on both of those options that both SEEMED like a sure thing. I remember sitting in my 3 hour senior seminar with Dr. Melanie Murphy, planning my next year. The apartment I would live in, the friends I would surround myself with, the commute back and forth to Boston College. I vividly remember watching a Boston College basketball game in late March that year and being like, YES, free tickets! It’s easy to guess what direction this is going…3 days prior to commencement, I received a letter and a phone call within 3 minutes of each other—one reading “WAIT LIST” the other saying Thanks, but no thanks.
Being a fortunate kid who also tried to work hard I was not use to getting “No’s” and was devastated. Humiliated is almost a better word…I was pretty confident that I would land on my feet eventually, but to have all those conversations with people who reassured me that it was “in the bag” and not to mention the dreadful conversation with the parents. Ugh, I was not in a happy place…but 2 years later I am with an M.Ed and hung out in Tampa, FL for pretty much free.
It could have been easy for me to throw in the towel and take a different career path. I could have taught history or even (gulp, close your eyes mom) played poker professionally for a year. These are the moments that make us strong; it’s the mental war that is battled viciously from one side of your brain to the other. Leadership is a funny word, that can be defined many different ways…but some of the best leadership qualities people can possess are used when no one is around. Pulling yourself up off the ground, fighting through those times whether they are good or bad. It’s not about THAT moment; it’s about what you do with the outcome.
We all CAN be great, it’s knowing how to take advantage of the growing moments. If you want to grow, want to be great, want to be happy—you need to see those moments and embrace them. The good and the bad, it’s not always going to feel good but when you look back at your life, you will understand the importance of these moments.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Uncertainty and Sundays
The unknown has been great over the last few weeks and motivation has been lacking in many areas. However, with all of the turbulence in the air there has been some consistencies that make everything more bearable and enjoyable. The anticipation and excitement leading up to the resolvement of the unknown has been growing immensely and it's conclusion will bring answers to so many questions.
Even with all of these answers it will post new difficulties and force uncomfortable decisions that will need to be made. But with all of this floating throughout the brain--today was Sunday. And it was football. Sunday has easily become my favorite day of the week, what was once a day dreaded and loaded with homework...a day that brought procrastination to the forefront...is now a day that is looked forward to. Sunday is now filled with words like quiet, nap, laundry, and Football.
Who knows what this week will bring but what I do know is that next Sunday...I will be right where I am now, on my couch slipping in and out of a coma enjoying football with a beer.
Even with all of these answers it will post new difficulties and force uncomfortable decisions that will need to be made. But with all of this floating throughout the brain--today was Sunday. And it was football. Sunday has easily become my favorite day of the week, what was once a day dreaded and loaded with homework...a day that brought procrastination to the forefront...is now a day that is looked forward to. Sunday is now filled with words like quiet, nap, laundry, and Football.
Who knows what this week will bring but what I do know is that next Sunday...I will be right where I am now, on my couch slipping in and out of a coma enjoying football with a beer.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Welcome
Howdy,
I'm not really sure what the purpose of this will be and how I will use it...but it seemed like the thing to do. It seems fitting that on the day I am creating this, the New York Yankees are about to close in on their 27th World Championship. I have been abused by horrendous commentating from Tim McCarver over the past week and I feel as though my sports I.Q. has dropped considerably. So the inaguaral blog post will go to you Mr. McCarver...thank you, thank you for making me feel that much dumber about my sports knowledge.
Until then,
I'm not really sure what the purpose of this will be and how I will use it...but it seemed like the thing to do. It seems fitting that on the day I am creating this, the New York Yankees are about to close in on their 27th World Championship. I have been abused by horrendous commentating from Tim McCarver over the past week and I feel as though my sports I.Q. has dropped considerably. So the inaguaral blog post will go to you Mr. McCarver...thank you, thank you for making me feel that much dumber about my sports knowledge.
Until then,
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)