Motivation in poker: how to stay energised on the road to success
Motivation is one of the key ingredients for success in poker. It's that inner fire that keeps you determined to go after your goals despite the challenges. Chapter 7 of Jared Tendler's book ‘Mind Games’ focuses on the importance of motivation for poker players and how to keep it high despite long periods of decline or frustration.
What is motivation in poker? 💡
Motivation is not just the desire to win. It is a deep-seated desire to progress despite losses and tough decisions. Many players face moments when it seems that there is no progress, when a series of failures crushes morale and motivation weakens. It is at times like these that it is important to have a strategy to maintain and strengthen it.
In the book, Tendler emphasises that motivation is not a permanent state. It requires effort to maintain, especially in situations where external circumstances are unfavourable. It is important to realise that motivation is a tool that needs to be trained, just like other mental aspects of poker.
Types of motivation 🎯
-
External motivation is incentives that come from the outside. It can be money, prestige, recognition, successes of other players. While external motivation can be an effective source of energy, it is not always sustainable. Money can be a motivator over short distances, but over long distances it is not enough to keep the fight going.
-
Intrinsic motivation is a stronger and more sustainable source of energy. It is related to your personal values, your desire for self-improvement and your willingness to overcome your own barriers. Intrinsic motivation allows the player to enjoy the process of playing and develop, even if the results are not always positive.
How do you find your motivation? 🔍
Jared Tendler offers a series of questions to help every player understand what motivates them at the poker table. These questions can help you realise your motivation and strengthen it:
-
Why do you play poker? Is it a hobby, a job or a path to personal growth?
-
What brings you the most enjoyment from the game?
-
How do you perceive victories and defeats?
-
Which outcome of the game is really important to you - money, prestige, or skill improvement?
Answering these questions will help you recognise your true motivational sources and build a strategy to maintain them based on this.
Obstacles to motivation 🚧
Loss of motivation in poker can be attributed to several factors:
-
Unrealistic expectations. Many players expect quick results, but success in poker takes time and patience.
-
Comparing yourself to others. It is easy to lose confidence and motivation when comparing yourself to successful players. Every player follows his own path, and your progress should not be measured by the success of others.
-
Burnout. Playing too intensely without rest can lead to emotional and physical exhaustion. Players must find a balance between playing and resting to maintain a high level of energy.
How do you keep motivated in poker? 🔥
-
Develop intrinsic motivation. Find pleasure in the process of playing, not just in the results. Learn new strategies, analyse your mistakes, develop as a player.
-
Set realistic goals. Your goals should be achievable and specific. Instead of the abstract ‘I want to win more’, set specific goals such as ‘improve my understanding of the flop’ or ‘work on my tilt’.
-
Regular rest and recovery. Energy is not infinite and you need to recover regularly to stay motivated. Take breaks, exercise, spend time with friends or family.
-
Learn from your failures. Failure is not a reason to lose motivation. On the contrary, it is an opportunity for growth. Analyse your mistakes, draw conclusions and apply the lessons learned in the future.
Practical task 🎯
-
Take 5 minutes to answer the question: what is your main source of motivation in poker? Share your thoughts in your personal diary and evaluate how you can develop this source in your game
Conclusion: the path to success through motivation 🚀
Motivation is what keeps a player going despite obstacles. It can fluctuate, but with the right approach you can keep it high and use it as a key tool for poker success.
Don't forget to subscribe to our Telegram channel so you don't miss the next articles in the ‘Mind Games’ series
