Greetings to the PS community. I would like to first thank you for the promotion and the site you run because it is one of the best I have ever frequented.
I guess before I post my goals I should talk a bit about myself so people can put things into context. I am 25 years old and have been playing poker on and off for about 4 years. Poker has been a hobby for me during that time and I've put little effort into it truth be told preferring to play with friends or in micro cash games & tourneys.
Back in September I started doing the NL beginners coaching course at Pokerstrategy as I wanted to make something of poker but life promptly intervened (as it seems to always do at the most inopportune time ♠_biggrin: ).
I could not continue the course because I have been sick in and out of the hospital for 5 months.The brief period of times I was out I was too tired to do much of anything. Now I say this not as an excuse, or to complain because I feel sorry for myself nor am I looking for pity in any way. I mention it because during that time I had lots of time to sit and think. I thought mostly about my life but I gave a lot of thought to poker and how it fit into it.
I realized that I do really enjoy poker and want it as a part my life for as long as I live. I had toyed with quitting poker altogether before I got sick as I was frustrated with my game and my mediocre results but that would be the wrong decision. Poker is probably one of the fairest games you will encounter in your life. Cards have no prejudice, memory or preference. Everyone at a poker table starts out as an equal. Given enough time skill will prevail. To be allowed to compete on such a level playing field a privilege not to be taken lightly.
I discovered though that even if I liked the game when I do spend time on it it is in the wrong way. I spent too much time on the trivial things, grudge matches, spending time reading gossip on forums, or about the financial/sexual exploits of successful players via blogs. These things do not matter to me or my game so why should I include them in it? Instead I should be focusing on what I really enjoy about poker - the game itself.
So 2012 will be the year of the Cliche for me. It will be the year of taking poker seriously. So what does that entail?
2012 Poker Targets
1) Start back up and finish the PS beginners course
2) Move through the microstakes from 2NL-100NL beating the game starting with $150 bankroll
3) Derive a regular income from 100NL so that I can live
4) Have at least a $5000 bankroll for 100NL
Now I'm sure there are some that might roll their eyes at the lofty ambitions but I honestly think they are within my grasp. The opportunity to be successful is promised to everyone. All we have to do is go after it.
Unfortunately I will not be able to start the year off on a positive note as I am saddened going into 2012 as my two cats that I've had for 11 years passed away. They were great friends, very important to me and touched my life in a way that only animals that you love can. I am still committed to my goals however and will work at them despite how I feel inside. I hope others who face adversity this year can do the same.
I sincerely wish success to everyone who was brave enough to open up about their aspirations for this year success. I will try my best to achieve what I've set out to do and hope you do too.