A poker expert I know has often said that best approach in poker isn’t to try and win every hand. Instead, you should look for good opportunities and profitable situations. This is pretty good advice even outside of poker.
How often do you find yourself in a situation where you don’t have strong position, you stand to lose a fair amount if you continue, and the potential upside isn’t even that great?
In Texas Hold ’em, you don’t want to play every hand–you want to fold early and often. The reality is that most starting hands are not going to be that good. Everyday life is not much different. That’s not to say that you should simply “fold” and avoid life altogether. But you have to think about that timeless advice of choosing your battles–or really, choosing your opportunities. The fact is, we only have so much time and energy. We’ve got to spend it wisely.
Are you spending time on things that won’t make a real impact but that still take a lot of time and effort?
Are you trying to do every little thing on your to-do list only to shortchange the few really important items?
Are you going out every night with different friends and acquaintances and potentially neglecting really important, close friends?
Are you finding yourself spending lots of “quantity time” with your S.O. instead of “quality time”?
Are you answering every email in your inbox without really connecting with or influencing anyone/anything?
Are you trying to win every hand, or would things be better if you zeroed in on the really big opportunities?
