Poker isn’t just an intense card game. To play it, you must have the skill, be able to form good strategies, and have a strong and sharp mind. This is why there are so many things a good poker player can teach us about life – like career development.
Over 30% of employees want to leave their careers, often because they don’t feel satisfied with their positions. They don’t think that their choices have paid off and feel that it is better to move on.
Choosing a career where you can develop yourself might be hard, but some of the tips you can learn from poker players might help you out.
Know When to Walk Away
Poker players know when to hit pause and walk away. In the grand scheme of things, walking away doesn’t seem like a valuable lesson. But in poker, it helps players avoid losses and learn discipline. Moreover, players will learn how to bounce back and come back with a stronger mindset.
In your career, it is also important to know when to cut your losses and leave. For one, if a promised career or compensation advancements aren’t happening, it might be a good indicator to start looking for greener pasture.
Staying might make you stagnant and keep you waiting for something that won’t happen. With so many career opportunities out there, walking away from the career you stuck yourself in might allow you to seek better opportunities.
Study Those Around You
Another thing poker players are good at is observing and learning from the people around them, especially their opponents. This helps them learn more about poker, the strategies they should be making, and what they should be avoiding.
Likewise, studying the people around you can help you make better decisions for your career. Observing your workmates or boss can help you gain insight on how to further develop your skills, or even learn what skills you might be lacking. If they’re open to it, you might even want to converse with them and ask them for concrete advice.
Learn From Your Mistakes
One valuable poker tip that many seasoned players follow is giving yourself an honest assessment. Poker players, whether they win or lose, review their moves after a session on the felt. They question whether or not their strategies were sound, and often ask better poker players to analyze their play.
In your career, knowing how to own your mistakes and learn from them will enable you to think of more solutions. This also means that you won’t risk doing something the same way because you have learned that this specific strategy won’t work.
Be Patient
Poker is an intense game where being patient holds value. You can’t win the moment you sit at the table, you need to stay calm and be patient to make your move. It’s a game of timing and long-play strategies. A good poker player knows that being patient will help keep them at the top of their games.
Similarly, being patient in your career allows you to achieve your goals and overcome obstacles. Patience also gives you the advantage of keeping yourself calm in response to situations you might not like. It helps you avoid conflicts and can lead to better outcomes.