I'm a sucker for comfort

[kkcountry]

I've got a horrible work ethic, and probably play fewer hands per month than any other person whose sole source of income is poker. (I'm serious, < 2k hands this month) The only time I've ever been able to put a decent amount of work in is when financially, something puts my back against the wall. Then I'll play until I win whatever dollar amount I need to be back in my financial comfort zone, then almost instantly stop playing. From there I'll barely play at all, slowly allowing my bankroll to dwindle, until some other financial crisis forces me to start playing again.

And when I say I need a financial crisis to get me to start playing, I mean a crisis. My car is one bump away from breaking down on me, but still that's not enough motivation. In my current state I'm not going to start putting in enough hands to buy a new car until my current one is in pieces.

The sickest, most twisted part about it is if I were to really grind, I'd obviously be much better off, much more "comfortable" but I just can't do it. I happen to have a small amount of monthly expenses, so "paying the bills" really isn't sufficient motivation.

I'm incredibly upset with myself and flat out depressed about this cycle I've been in for my entire poker career. If anybody could help me in anyway to break this, it could be the most important change I could make in my life.

Thanks.

[johnnylovescandy]

your entire career? how long has that been? you sound one step away from busto...

[kkcountry]

[ QUOTE ]
your entire career? how long has that been? you sound one step away from busto...

[/ QUOTE ]

I've been like this for 2+ years, I've never really had a brush with busto, as I am well rolled in my online accounts, when I talk about being backed into a corner financially, I mean my checking account is getting close to busto, I've still got my roll.

But of course this makes it impossible to move up, as all my profits go towards solving whatever financial crisis I have to solve.

[OGS20]

I think everyone experiences a little bit of what you describe. My advice would be to set clear and focused targets. You then play to achieve these targets e.g. A new car; find a pic of the car you want, stick this above your monitor and play until you have the $$$$ to get that car. Always have your motivation right in front of you and tell yourself that this is what you want. It might sound a little bit obvious but this method tends to be one of the best motivators. Hope it helps.

[johnnylovescandy]

Maybe the grind of a pro gambler doesn't suit you, or maybe your priorities are out of whack, or maybe you need to hang with different friends. I really don't know what advice to give, other than to protect that bankroll with your life and put it to better work if it's all you got...

[pshady]

well for now can you just keep putting your back up against the wall until you find out for yourself how you can change it. eg....maybe pretend you not moving up a limit is a major crisis

[Sigurd]

This isn't really a solution, but maybe you could try to get some kind of $$ reward if you pay x in rake in a month (if you don't reach the target, you don't get anything). When I can see that if I don't play a load of hands, I will not maintain my VIP status, which will mean less money, I get pretty motivated to play.

[KingGordy]

If you 4 tabled 1 hour a day that's 12-15K hands/month, which sounds like it would be a huge step up from what you're currently doing. Surely you can will yourself to do that much?

[sosorry]

well what do you do when your not playing poker? stop doing it so much. put the penii away, put teh mspaint brush down, etc.