What do you do when you can't seem to find the motivation to play poker?
For the last few months, I have found myself in a quandary. For as much as I love to play poker, I just haven't found the motivation to want to play live poker. Practicing online only brings an extremely limited amount of joy - maybe 10-15 minutes at a time.
However, I think I have found several root causes of the problem.
Cause #1 - Traveling to tournament series.
I sat down and figured out that I am away from home for up to 200 days a year!!!!! This is untenable. Travel fatigue is a very real thing. Seventeen years of this and my body is saying "NO MAS".
Add in my 22 years as an over the road truckers and I've been on the road nearly my entire adult life!!!! That's a lot of missed birthdays and important moments.
Solution: Cut travel to 3 or 4 "out of town" series per year. In my case, those are: Reno and Poker Palooza (twice a year); LIPS Nevada State Ladies Poker Championship in Vegas; AnteUp4Autism in Vegas in late July/early August; The Mississippi Million Dollar Heater in early January; and maybe an event in Florida.
Cause #2 - Family
I have an autistic step daughter. The absolute hardest thing to hear when I am away from home is Kristy saying: "Michelle, when you coming home, I miss you.?"
Solution: Do not travel as much. Spend time with your loved ones ones and they're your biggest cheerleaders.
Cause #3 - Health issues
As I have documented before, I have a myriad of health issues. Arthritic joints. Multiple surgeries. A chronically bad back. Severe migraines.
Solution: Have a good team around you. A good orthopedic surgeon. A really great massage therapist. A good migraine specialist. A loving family
Now that I have detailed my struggles with motivation, I want to hear your thoughts on this subject. Email me at: mnastasis1959@gmail.com
