For Part 1 of this two-part article about getting value in poker and in life, click here. Now, it’s onto Part 2.

I am dumber than a box of rocks, but I seem to do well in what I put my mind to. All I do is have a list of things I want to accomplish. I have broader goals in the back of my mind, but I make small, attainable ones every week. I break them down into daily goals. I write them on a whiteboard and cross them off during the day.

I make sure I have the next thing to do as well as a broader plan for the day. This way, I don’t get off-track or distracted. You could be the slowest learner on Earth, but if you wake up every day and study your hand histories or watch training videos, you will get ahead.

Speaking of which, when you watch training videos or review your hand histories, write notes. People forget concepts all the time unless they find a way to cement them into their head. I took notes on every training video I watched because I am the king of drifting off. You remember much more if you write something down and even more if you discuss it with a friend later.

You can even extend this philosophy to your days off. I’m a firm believer that people need to diversify to feel good. If you take money from people all day, maybe you should spend a day giving back through volunteer work. If you are sedentary most of the time, you should find a physical activity you enjoy for when you’re taking a break.

I’m writing this on a day where I know I need time off. I’ve been working 12-hour shifts for a while. Do you think I’m going to hang around my house and look at more screens on my day off? I love TV, but no way. I need to completely recharge. I’m going to a park with my fiancée and my poodle. I’m going to take my poodle off the leash and go hiking. I know from experience that this energizes me like nothing else.

One thing I have noticed in my travels is that the people I really respect do something for a purpose. Even if they are working a job to get by, they are looking to the next step. They are doing their 9-to-5 job with pride knowing they will not be there forever.

I felt I grew up with an incorrect set of principles. I was told I needed to work hard to make money to be happy. That makes it sound like work is a necessary evil… that will lead us to smiling all the time? That doesn’t make sense.

Happiness is not a regular emotion. In fact, you know right away that someone is on drugs because they’re happy all the time. The human mind is discerning and unsatisfied for a reason. We would have never evolved without healthy dissatisfaction. We need to embrace those feelings. They’re what got us here.

When we don’t feel like we’re getting enough out of life, we need to look at it as a story. If I were reading a book about my life, what would make a great chapter? I don’t know one hero who didn’t grow out of conflict. I don’t know anyone who busts his ass who doesn’t get somewhere.

Get value out of your life today. Good luck to you.

Alexander AssassinatoFitzgerald has been a professional poker player since he was 18. A large winner in cash games, SNGs, and tournaments, Alex has amassed $3,000,000+ in tournament earnings alone. Alex is an instructor at PocketFives Trainingand can be reached for private lessons at Assassinatocoaching@gmail.com. You can also follow his Twitter@TheAssassinato or his blog at Pokerheadrush.com. He currently resides in his suburban home in Costa Rica with his girlfriend and poodle.

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