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Originally Posted by venice10
You aren't "passionate" about poker. You're addicted to gambling. To be successful in poker, you have to take the "gambling" out of poker. Once you do that, it isn't fun any more.
You should stop saying all poker players are addicts as it's clearly ridiculous and harms your credibility. One can enjoy gambling without being addicted to it. One can enjoy poker without enjoying gambling as there are other elements.
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Finally, the paradox of poker is that it is attractive to people that don't like schedules and discipline but requires both to be successful. A pro needs to play when the games are good. The games are good on the weekends and holidays when everyone else is having a good time. After a while, it becomes more of a chore to get up and either sit at the computer or go to the room to play, especially when you don't feel like it.
A pro doesn't need to play when the games are good because he should be a winner in any game he sits in. He just has to realize the opportunity cost of deciding not to play when the games are best. He has to realize that the night out with friends is going to cost him money and decide whether or not it's worth it. If he got to go out last week maybe he decides to play. If he hasn't seen his friends in a month maybe he decides to go out.
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I would tell myself to put in a lot of hours at the tables. Treat it like a business. Most businesses require a significant time investment at first to really take off. Additionally, when you're playing poker you need to be in a good mental state. If something is seriously affecting you mentally, such as a break-up with a girlfriend or a dying relative, you should be able to take some time off and not feel bad about it because you already whupped your own ass playing for the past few weeks.
I did not start off putting in significant volume and my bankroll growth has suffered. This is not only disappointing because I had hoped to have advanced further, but also risky because low growth rates make one susceptible to variance.