Long before I had ever played a hand of poker, I spent many hours behind a boat on skis, wakeboards, and just about anything else you can tow. Water skiing has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember and this time of year when the weather gets nice and the water temperatures in the lakes start to get back up to a reasonable level, I am doing my best to get out to the lake any chance I get.

When the poker boom happened and I started playing regularly, my interest in poker continued to grow. It also became a passion of mine and, from there, even turned into a career, but my other passions, specifically water skiing and the lake, stayed strong and ever-present. At the time, I didn’t realize it, but as I became more and more immersed in poker, it was great for me to have other interests that were strong enough to keep me from focusing so much on poker that I would get burnt out or fall into a rut.

When something that starts out as a hobby turns into a career, it is easy to let it become consuming, but not necessarily healthy or good for your poker game in the long-run. To be great at anything, you have to have laser-like focus, but at the same time, we all need to be able to clear our minds and get away every now and then so we can come back fresh and gain enough perspective to accurately view our strengths and weaknesses.

For me, sports have served that purpose well, and the natural seasons for water sports have a good ebb and flow. During the winter, I play more poker and really dive into the game, putting in a lot of hours. I often get there when the game starts and play right up until it ends, playing many hours and rarely missing out on any of the better games.

Come spring and summertime, though, I’m more likely to spend time outside at the lake. I still find time to play, but not the intense hours I put in the rest of the year. This is a great reset period for me and typically a time I get back into top shape physically while also feeling very refreshed mentally.

I’m looking forward to the next few months, where I will be playing a little less poker (still more than most people) and spending more time in the sun doing things I love with people I won’t see around a poker table. It is different, invigorating, and refreshing and I see value both personally and professionally in having strong interests in my life outside of poker.

Many of us come into poker at a stage in our life where it is easy to let it be so dominant that other activities are pushed out or never given room to develop in the first place. Devoting the time and effort to make yourself a great player is one part of being successful in poker. Being a well-rounded person with other activities will give you the balance needed to continue to grow in poker without hitting a wall.

Court Harrington has worked on the business side of the poker industry in roles including tournament reporting for PocketFives, radio hosting for PokerRoad Radio, coaching for the WSOP Academy and privately, and a variety of behind-the-scenes responsibilities for poker media businesses. He also plays in cash games and tournaments. Harrington is currently doing consulting work and exploring business opportunities outside of the poker industry. You can contact him at Court@CourtHarrington.com.

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