The following is an e-mail conversation on Black Friday before we received the news of the USA government’s shutdown – for all practical purposes – of online poker. Even as an ex-pat, I have limitations on my play. But, suddenly, much more time for learning and teaching and growing and getting better. And what’s the harm of that? As Jack – and a bumper sticker he saw – says, “Don’t get bitter, get better.” – Alex
Alex: Thinking about my use of time a lot. Like today I spent time with my girlfriend, but the poor thing had to go argue with the government with me to get my internet line installed in time for Jaka’s visit. We got time for some other stuff, which was nice, but then I came home to work.
Jog, gym, 2,000 words, lesson with a student, 20 e-mails, fight with Taca airlines, talk to the account, and damnit…not enough time!!!
Jack: What about transitioning to heads-up cash, for example? Something less time consuming and historically more remunerative. Last year, we talked about PLO….
Alex: But I love big hold’em tournaments. And that’s what I’m good at.
Jack: On further reflection, seems like you might want to hold off on any “radical” changes before WSOP. Keep working your NLH MTT game for the next two months. Ideally, you will crush WSOP and then return to CR with a fresh outlook. For a man who wants to do so much & so many things, just seems to me we need to look at income generation which does not consume so much of your time.
Do you really want a FTP sponsorship? Is what you are doing now likely to earn you a sponsorship? Wouldn’t a bracelet get the job done??
You have the story, the experience, the charisma, now you just need to give the big sites a specific reason why they have to sign you.
In the end, we are seeking balance, fulfillment and happiness, are we not?
Alex: It’s not that I am playing cash because I feel I have to. I want to. I have statistics on seemingly every player who plays 2/4 now. Spotting a fish is so much easier. That’s good income during the week when I don’t want to log a full MTT session. I just think MTTs are not the most profitable thing in the world. How much money I actually have compared to what people think I have is insane. Exploring cash before gave me insight in how to exploit MTT regulars. I hope the same is true today.
I just want to know I can do it, too. Cash games are a new challenge, and I feel like I’m catching on really fast.
I’ll get a sponsorship at some point. I don’t think playing cash is going to expedite the process. I need to be more forthcoming with the sites. I’ve never written a formal e-mail to anyone. I guess I should be more interested in that.
I feel like I am really happy with my current situation, considering where I was last year. I’m at the peak of my abilities and, financially, things are amazing. Now, it’s just adjusting into my new role as web site owner, teacher, cash game student, and MTTer.
I was thinking as I was writing this e-mail, I need to literally purchase myself time. I am feeling stressed because I can only get six hours of sleep a night and only see my girlfriend for a minute if I want to get everything I want to get done done. So many times I’d rather be writing or studying, but I’m answering bullshit emails.
Jack: Benjamin Franklin said simply, “Remember, time is money.” Purchasing time is a great solution. You can earn far more money doing what you do best – and enjoy – than you’ll spend hiring somebody to clean up after yourself.
Alex: I need to hire the maid to come more than once a week. I actually don’t mind cleaning up once in a while, but my schedule doesn’t allow it anymore. I’m literally washing my underwear by hand because my washer broke and I haven’t had the time to go pick up the obscure replacement part.
What I really need is a personal assistant. I have a separate e-mail address my girlfriend was using when she was doing that. She did a good job but she has her own practice open and yeah, that takes time.
I could send the e-mails there and have my assistant make a report. I could call the assistant and say verbally what I want written for each email. I could send the assistant on assignments. This would just be the start, but it would be incredibly convenient for me. I’d also enjoy having someone help me with stuff that’s just not cost effective for me. I’m having a dispute with TACA airlines over my deportation right now and the more time I spend on it, the less it’s worth to me. Every hour is incredible money wasted, and now I’m losing money on the deal…it’s just the principle of the matter. It’d be much cheaper to pay someone to write the necessary emails for me. It’d also help to have someone working on my legal rights here in Costa Rica.
The question is, where do I find this person? I could post something to my blog, offer to exchange money and lessons, but I have a general distrust toward many poker players. Still, this person would probably understand what is going on much faster. I could inquire at the university my girlfriend attends, but then it’s unlikely I’ll find someone who writes English as well as I desire. However, this person could run around San Jose for me and do my errands. I could also look for an agency that does it online, then there would be a company to complain to in case the person ever boned me. Unfortunately, I’d have to probably explain many of the nuances of poker to this person.
They all have their pros and cons. I guess I just have to do a little research.
Jack: Check out http://www.agentsofvalue.com/services/virtual-personal-assistant/.
Alex: I’m checking out: http://onlinepersonalassistant.com/pricing/ Looks pretty affordable. Let me see, that’s about $30.00 an hour, right? So, I’d have to pay this person for 5 hours of work before it ate up one hour of lessons I do.
What the hell am I doing? I should have done this months ago.
Jack: Hold it! How much are you going to pay? I have a lot of free time, you know?
Alex: My girlfriend would probably love that my assistant not be a young chick.
Jack: I am so not a young chick.
You can reach my new assistant at assassinatocoaching@gmail.com. Tell Jack I sent you.