I Have Darts, No Bulls-Eye

Most of us aren't very good about setting personal, professional, and poker-related goals. We simply go through our days and nights in our usual routines. We expect positives to come upon us as we go about those routines, but it is not necessarily our set goal. For instance, we might expect to get a raise or promotion after several years at our jobs, but not many have a set timeline in mind for when they want to have achieved an exact pay level or job title. I suppose some of this can be attributed to the fact that we are never really taught how and why to set goals. Essentially, it is our parents, teachers, and coaches who set our goals for us when we are youngsters. We are told how much to study, how often to practice at sports and music, and what chores to do. Even the government has attempted to set our goals for us, as elected officials are often providing information on what weight we should be and the calories we should eat, what standards our kids should be held to in the learning realm, and how much money we should be saving for retirement. I guess that is why when I ask most poker players about their poker goals they shrug their shoulders in confusion, or quip a comment such as "I want to win the 2006 WSOP main event!" The most honest answer that I get from most poker players is the overly simplistic statement, "I just want to be a better poker player."

I want to be a better poker player sounds like a sweet sentiment and a formidable goal, but it is actually not a helpful goal at all. Helpful goals have to be specific enough to have psychological weight. Really good goals act as motivators, our top stair in the staircase of our poker career. Poker success does usually not happen by accident. Those who've ascended to the pinnacle of the game did not coast luckily to that position. The best players in the world have held an insatiable hunger to be great. Even the most experienced, best players in the world keep up the quest to improve and learn. The fastest track to greatness in your game is by a strong desire to reach your solid, helpful goals. That means having specific, measurable goals. You have to know what you are shooting for in order to get there.

Worst goal: No goal at all. -- Playing aimlessly while hoping something good/great happens.

Poor goal: I want to be a better player. -- Not measurable. What is better? How do you know when you are better? When do you want to be "better" by?

Helpful goal: I am going to build the bankroll, experience, confidence, and ability to play 15/30 limit by November of next year.

Take a moment to explore within yourself to determine whether you have set specific, measurable goals for yourself. If so, write them down right away. Unwritten goals find a way to become somewhat flexible. Our minds warp and change things to suit ourselves and our current situation. If you mentally set a goal to earn $300 by the end of the month, a busy weekend that keeps you from poker can easily allow your mind to justify altering the goal to give extra time. A written goal is structured and unflappable. It will push you to greater levels without fail. Now, in the same notebook you've recorded your goals, it is time to write the "action steps" that'll assure you'll reach your milestones. Action steps can be seen as the actual labor that leads you up toward your ultimate vision. To reach the 15/30 level, you may set some action steps that include reading and reviewing Super System, working with a respected poker mentor at least 4 hours per week, reviewing your tournament hand histories at least twice per week, etc. Once your action steps are written, you are ready to begin your quest. As you complete items on your action step list, placing a check mark to represent "complete" is surprisingly psychologically pleasing.

ord your thoughts on yourself, the holes in the game that you uncover, and situations you'd like to think about more or talk to your mentors about. As you go, feel free to add action steps as you see fit. Ideally, though, you won't have to alter the ultimate goal.

Nobody is going to hand you poker success. In fact, the line of individuals looking to stomp your efforts and take your chips is endless. Until you are focused and determined, your hope for poker greatness is nearly hopeless! Get your goals in order, outline your action steps, and truly begin your poker journey. Now go make it happen.

Note: In addition to being a columnist for many of the top poker magazines in the U.S. and Canada, John is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) in America. He has a Master of Arts degree in Counseling from West Virginia University, and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Lock Haven University. You can arrange for interviews, speaking engagements, or find out more about the psychology of poker by emailing carlisle14@hotmail.com.

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