Though I realize this day is just yesterday's tomorrow the idea that we get a "fresh" start is such a useful, self-deceptive, psychological tool. Beginning a "new year" is a great opportunity to effectively drop so much baggage by the wayside, clearing the way for greater focus, resilience, enthusiasm and confidence.

Here's what I'm thinking...

* playing with a slightly less conservative BR management creating a balance between risk and having losses sting a little. This is quite the opposite of what I intuitively thought would appeal to me more. The payoff here is greater focus and motivation.

* playing fewer tables at the top of my BR threshold. Though I've adapted what I consider to be a decent mass tabling approach to low stakes it doesn't make for interesting poker. Simply churning out a decent winrate just doesn't cut it. The real stimulation and reward for me right now is in learning/improving and I can only really accomplish this by reducing the incoming data to a frequency that I can receive without fragmentation. The money will be the byproduct.

* 'I am self-employed and have, without question, one of the greatest jobs imaginable.' This is simply an illustration of the tone and attitude I will take moving forward.

* playing shorter sessions because if looking back has taught me anything it's that no matter whether I'm winning or losing I play badly without frequent rests. My denial of this observation has cost me plenty.

--

Here's a fun hand from today. My only read is his stack size which indicates to me that he's probably not that great.

No-Limit Hold'em, $1.00 BB (6 handed) - Hold'em Manager Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

SB ($111.95)
Hero (BB) ($143.75)
UTG ($41.60)
MP ($225.50)
CO ($49.55)
Button ($236.90)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 7, 7
UTG bets $2, 2 folds, Button calls $2, 1 fold, Hero calls $1

Flop: ($6.50) 8, A, 8 (3 players)
Hero checks, UTG checks, Button checks

Turn: ($6.50) 7 (3 players)
Hero checks, UTG bets $5, 1 fold, Hero calls $5

River: ($16.50) 2 (2 players)
Hero bets $2, UTG raises $34.60 (All-In), Hero calls $32.60

Total pot: $85.70

Results:
Hero had 7, 7 (full house, sevens over eights).
UTG had 3, 3 (two pair, eights and threes).
Outcome: Hero won $82.70