Danneth Posted June 20, 2010 Posted June 20, 2010 (edited) Hello all. Just posting here to ask for thoughts on a dilemma that I'm currently in. Firstly, I'd just like to say that I hate my job. I initially got the job because my father owns the company, I was 17 when I began working there and it's fair to say I'm still learning the trade. Why do I hate my job? For numerous reasons. As I mentioned, I'm still learning the trade, and I often find myself in awkward situations where people expect me to know a lot more than I do. Moreover, I find the job pretty difficult at times, leading to a complete lack of enthusiasm. There's more things I hate though, it feels like people are always trying to stab me in the back because I'm the boss' son. The pay isn't great, there's the fairly long commute every day, and I often find myself trying to meet a lot of deadlines, which leads to a considerable amount of pressure on my shoulders. I'm effectively a trainee and I get deadlines piled on me every day. It's horrible to deal with and it's stress I could really do without. I dread going in most days because I know I'm going to have people pestering me about deadlines and tasks they urgently need doing. I try, but there's only so much that I can do when I'm not fully trained. There's been a few times when I've simply not been able to cope and missed my deadline, which meant somebody else has had to do the work for me. The company in general usually suffers because of my lack of experience. I've got a dream which I've had for a long time. Some find the idea outlandish whereas other may see the benefits. I'd like to play online poker for a living. I'm well aware that many players lose over the long run and I'm well aware of the hardships people who play poker professionally endure. I love it though, I play it every night and slowly make money. Whilst I don't make enough to earn a living (as things stand), I'm completely confident that if I worked on my game enough, I could do it. If I'm going to ever chase my dream, which would be quitting my job and attempting to make enough money from playing poker online, now's the time. I'm 19, have no mortgage, and live with my mother. The only money I'd truly need to make is the money that I pay her every week. I'm not deluded, I'm well aware that I'm highly unlikely to ever be one of these TV poker millionaires, I just want to make enough to live on. Quitting is not so easy though, I like spending time with my father at the office and giving that up is something that'd sadden me. Also, I'm sure he'd be pretty pissed if I told him I was leaving to become a poker player. I feel a degree of loyalty to the company, and whilst I hate the job, I like the office, if you can understand what I mean by that. I'm torn between the life I'd love to chase and my loyalty to my father. Whilst there's people more qualified and suitable for the job out there than I am, it just feels somewhat disloyal to quit now, you know? Thoughts much appreciated. Thanks for reading. Edited June 20, 2010 by Danneth
Ronni_W Posted June 21, 2010 Posted June 21, 2010 (edited) If all you are looking to achieve from playing online poker is to earn enough money to pay 'room & board' to your mom, then that is not a worthwhile enough "dream" to be chasing. I would suggest to make it a bigger dream...perhaps to earn enough to live a comfortable lifestyle, be able to travel and/or acquire the things in life that will make you happy (use your own happiness level as a gauge of your own success.) In 10 or 15 years, you will most likely also want to be able to support a family, so you have to factor that into your long-term financial plan. No matter what country you are in and what the current income tax laws, you must also consider that many governments are, or may be looking for ways to start taxing online poker income. I do know someone who does earn very good living playing online poker. He started by winning a $10 freeroll, and built that up to where he is now. If you are serious about doing this, then I'd suggest that you spend 90% of your free time building your skills and knowledge, and just keep playing. 8 hours a day on the weekends...treat it like a "real" job because that is what it will become for you. Find out how much you're really gonna like it. Learn the math skills that are essential to know. Keep very accurate records of your wins and losses -- you must also know basic bookkeeping. Find out which are the best poker strategy books and read and reread them. There may be free stuff on the 'Net. Cultivate your self-discipline, self-control, determination, perseverance, etc. Learn to prioritize and also to have HUGE patience. Learn how to use statistics-tracking software to your advantage. It is HARD WORK, is what I'm saying. You will effectively be self-employed but without the benefit of just being able to go out and "drum up some business." Your life's finances will depend on your own skills and determination...but also on other players and the cards you are dealt. So, I'd strongly urge you to use your weekends to find out if it's really cut out for you...and if you are really cut out for it. Once you have accumulated a bankroll of $5k to $10k (that you earned playing poker; not that you transferred from your own funds), then you will have evidence to show both your mom and dad that you are serious and skilled enough to consider doing it full-time. --- As far as your current job goes. It is time to start speaking up about your limitations. Things are getting piled on you because you are allowing it to happen by not saying, "I don't have enough knowledge, skills or hours in the day to get that done. I will appreciate some help." Some of the skills that you are not demonstrating on the job are the same ones that you will need to be a successful online poker player: prioritizing, knowing your limits, self-care, confidence, assertiveness, etc. "May your cards be live, and your pots be monsters!" Edited June 21, 2010 by Ronni_W
Author Danneth Posted June 21, 2010 Author Posted June 21, 2010 If all you are looking to achieve from playing online poker is to earn enough money to pay 'room & board' to your mom, then that is not a worthwhile enough "dream" to be chasing. I would suggest to make it a bigger dream...perhaps to earn enough to live a comfortable lifestyle, be able to travel and/or acquire the things in life that will make you happy (use your own happiness level as a gauge of your own success.) In 10 or 15 years, you will most likely also want to be able to support a family, so you have to factor that into your long-term financial plan. No matter what country you are in and what the current income tax laws, you must also consider that many governments are, or may be looking for ways to start taxing online poker income. I do know someone who does earn very good living playing online poker. He started by winning a $10 freeroll, and built that up to where he is now. If you are serious about doing this, then I'd suggest that you spend 90% of your free time building your skills and knowledge, and just keep playing. 8 hours a day on the weekends...treat it like a "real" job because that is what it will become for you. Find out how much you're really gonna like it. Learn the math skills that are essential to know. Keep very accurate records of your wins and losses -- you must also know basic bookkeeping. Find out which are the best poker strategy books and read and reread them. There may be free stuff on the 'Net. Cultivate your self-discipline, self-control, determination, perseverance, etc. Learn to prioritize and also to have HUGE patience. Learn how to use statistics-tracking software to your advantage. It is HARD WORK, is what I'm saying. You will effectively be self-employed but without the benefit of just being able to go out and "drum up some business." Your life's finances will depend on your own skills and determination...but also on other players and the cards you are dealt. So, I'd strongly urge you to use your weekends to find out if it's really cut out for you...and if you are really cut out for it. Once you have accumulated a bankroll of $5k to $10k (that you earned playing poker; not that you transferred from your own funds), then you will have evidence to show both your mom and dad that you are serious and skilled enough to consider doing it full-time. --- As far as your current job goes. It is time to start speaking up about your limitations. Things are getting piled on you because you are allowing it to happen by not saying, "I don't have enough knowledge, skills or hours in the day to get that done. I will appreciate some help." Some of the skills that you are not demonstrating on the job are the same ones that you will need to be a successful online poker player: prioritizing, knowing your limits, self-care, confidence, assertiveness, etc. "May your cards be live, and your pots be monsters!" Thank you very much for the excellent advice Ronny When I mentioned that I'd only need enough to support my mom, I guess I was just speaking in case of a worst-case scenario. Whilst it's my dream to make a living playing poker, I still want to earn a respectable living which is capable of supporting a family. Hopefully I can do that. As things stand, I play and study the game every night. I spend any free time I get at work on poker websites trying to gather tips that will help me improve as a player. I'm working on my game all the time. I'm aware it's going to be tough to become a winning player, but if all that is what I need to do, then so be it. I take heart from you mentioning that your friend makes a good living playing poker. I recently discussed the idea of one day playing poker for a living to my mom and she shot the idea down on the basis that it's not a "proper job" (her words, not mine). I guess I'll have to prove her wrong by building a bankroll. I'm going to work through my current job until I'm earning enough from poker to leave. It may be a while, and it will be hard work, but that's the price I've got to pay. Good things come to those who wait. Once again, thank you for your post, Ronni. It inspired me to keep persuing my dream whilst reminding me that becoming a poker player is by no means easy. We'll see what happens, but I'm happy in the belief that it can be done if I work hard enough.
Ronni_W Posted June 21, 2010 Posted June 21, 2010 Danneth, It sounds like you are doing the "proper" preparations, and possess a positive attitude, strong work ethic and realistic outlook. So, it's all good as far as what you need from yourself. Yes, it's going to continue to be a struggle and really difficult to convince your parents (and grandparents, aunts, uncles, and even some own-age friends), of the wisdom of choosing this for a career. BUT...they will not be able to argue with Success, so, IMO, that is your best way to help them get on-board with your own plan and desires for your life. I also know some people who tried it, but just couldn't hack it -- I think they thought it was going to be all 'fun and games' but reality quickly set in and they had to go find themselves some "day jobs". I spend any free time I get at work on poker websites trying to gather tips that will help me improve as a player. Okay...this is the opposite of a strong work ethic. And you would be wise to start keeping it in check -- also as part of you preparing yourself to become a strong, disciplined poker player. If you're talking strictly about your breaks and lunch hours, then it's your opportunity to practice self-care. Being well-rested, relaxed and well-nourished is also important when you're sitting at the tables for 8-hour stretches...or longer. You must know your limits, and attend to your other mental, emotional, physical and spiritual needs, as well. You also can't bitch about not having enough skills, knowledge or time to get your "day job" work done effectively, efficiently and on-time, while you are misusing the company's time. Use your "day job" free time to learn how to do your day job better, including breaks and lunch hours. When you get to higher levels of poker-playing, it's all about patience and self-management. And then it is math and card skills. Seriously. Best of luck to you.
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