I recently got into poker. Poker is a simple and fun game. Best of all, if you’re good at breaking down data and analyzing players, you can make a lot of money playing. I’ve wasted my time throughout the years playing various video games and and competing in recreational sports, so I thought to myself “why don’t I play something that is fun and rewards me in monetary value”.
Starting back in September 2015, I became a student of the game. Picking up a new book and downloading the computer app. Also, starting in September 2015 was the death of my schedule. Whether it’s school, a new job or poker, adding a new variable into your life creates inconsistency. To make time for whatever it is that you introduce in your life, you most likely have to upgrade your system entirely.
This was the case with me. I had an inconsistent poker schedule. I’d read the book and play with practice money online. I didn’t have a set time to do so, I would just go about it whenever I felt the urge. Unfortunately, that let to me neglecting many of my responsibilities. I began to get a lot looser with my sleep schedule. That made me get up later and rush my workouts in the gym. Sometimes I’d wake up too late and miss the gym altogether. I’m in the middle of a bulking phase too, so missing the gym is a big “no-no”.
Time is an investment and if it’s invested recklessly, then the same will happen to your time as to your money if you invest is recklessly. It will go to waste and you’ll regret it in the future. I love the new year because it makes me reflect on the previous year and ask myself a set of questions. The most important question is “Where did I waste the most time?”. Whatever the answer to that question is, will be what I have to adjust for the following year.
My resolution for this year is to develop a consistent schedule and also develop a contingency plan for the unlikely event that a new variable (like poker) to throw me off course again. My mistake last year was not having a plan to get back on course if I was thrown off of it.
The plan I came up with was pretty simple. Create a routine bed time and set an alarm for every morning. Once I get this step consistently, I develop a morning schedule. Start with a simple one like make the bed, breakfast and then shower. Then the following week you can add something new. For example: Make the bed, eat, shower, meditate.
For bed time, I came up with a cutoff time. It was simple at first. My bed time was 12:30am. At 11PM, I would get off my computer, shower and read in order to prepare myself for bed. You can try managing it even further by adding something new once you’re set. For example: Shower, Prep clothing for next morning, read, journal, bed.
Reflect on last year for the new year and ask yourself where you wasted the most time. Recreation is okay, but are your days and weeks filled with any goal oriented activities? Are you chasing and working towards any worth while goals? If you are, are your routines and time management skills promotion optimal advancement?
Ask yourself these questions and make this new year one to remember!
Leave a Reply