February 8, 2017
I imagine others have had this experience, and I’m looking for some new ways to ‘cross-train.’ After Matt Berkey recommended it during Poker After Dark, I checked out David Foster Wallace’s “This is Water” commencement speech, and I think it improved my outlook on poker (and life in general, I highly recommend finding it on Youtube). It got me thinking of other things that have changed my approach to the game for the better.
– Other strategy games/video games
– Reading “Thinking Fast and Slow” (Kahneman) as well as some other books
– Martial Arts training
– Puzzles that require a lot of focus and/or pattern recognition (Sudoku, Crosswords, Rubix Cube, etc.)
Anyone have ideas, or stories about things that have helped them?
February 8, 2017
Thanks Alex, that is really insightful. Couldn’t agree more about the humility thing. I’ve gotten better, but the high of stringing together great sessions can put me in a bit of a foolish mindset. I’m lucky to have a girlfriend who is not shy about shattering my illusions, but I will make a point of taking on difficult new challenges the next time I start feeling like a poker god. Maybe even tango dancing
Recently I’ve struggled a bit with the other side of the emotional spectrum, after a downswing followed by 4+ months of breakeven results. As much as I know stretches like this are normal and inevitable throughout my career, I can’t pretend that my game is quite as solid at the moment as it used to be. Mainly I notice during review that I’ve missed good bluffing spots, and folded some hands that were marginal (but quite likely profitable) calls.
I watched a commencement address by J.K. Rowling the other day and she spoke about the value of failure. It’s an old idea but the way she put it was heartening and made me feel better about recent results and life in general. I think I’ll work to embody Beckett moving forward:
“Ever Tried, Ever Failed. No Matter. Try Again, Fail Again. Fail Better.”
TPE Pro
August 25, 2012
I think the best thing you can do for yourself in studying outside of poker is to do things that will improve your perspective on life, and as a result, improve your mental game. Anything that helps you understand yourself on a deeper level will be useful.
I’d also recommend The Art of Learning by Josh Waitzkin as one of the most important books for anyone trying to get really good at anything. It gives a great insight into the process of learning to master a specific discipline.
February 5, 2015
ginger45 said
“I’d also recommend The Art of Learning by Josh Waitzkin as one of the most important books for anyone trying to get really good at anything. It gives a great insight into the process of learning to master a specific discipline.”
I’ll second this…it’s one of the great books I’ve read. I have recommended this book many times in the forums. Out of sheer personal vanity Matt, did you read it after my recommendation?
DDD said:
“I watched a commencement address by J.K. Rowling the other day and she spoke about the value of failure. It’s an old idea but the way she put it was heartening and made me feel better about recent results and life in general. I think I’ll work to embody Beckett moving forward:
“Ever Tried, Ever Failed. No Matter. Try Again, Fail Again. Fail Better.””
Similar theme emerges in Waitzkin’s book. Only those whose egos are too fragile cannot abide defeat. The true capacity for growth comes from investing emotionally in loss. Waitzkin is a martial artist, and he talks of actively seeking out superior opponents to fight in order to learn…and lose along the way.
Truly it is perhaps the most inspiring and yet humble book I have read.
He became a world champion martial artist.
TPE Pro
August 25, 2012
The Riceman said
ginger45 said“I’d also recommend The Art of Learning by Josh Waitzkin as one of the most important books for anyone trying to get really good at anything. It gives a great insight into the process of learning to master a specific discipline.”
I’ll second this…it’s one of the great books I’ve read. I have recommended this book many times in the forums. Out of sheer personal vanity Matt, did you read it after my recommendation?
I love the honesty, but no, I can’t remember where I first heard about the book but I’ve been meaning to read it for years and just got around to it. Although I suppose if I can’t remember, that does mean there’s a small chance it was from you!
I think it’s one of the most important books for anyone aspiring to be a high-level performer in anything, especially poker.
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