Yesterday's games:
5-0
4-1
4-1
2-1
0-2
2-1
1-2
3-0
Today's so far:
7-8
2-8
I know I started the day running bad and as it went on it effected my focus, so maybe what I should be looking for on here are tips for staying on your A game and hushing that voice inside your head that says "you're going to get runner runner'd". I'm sure it's been discussed somewhere on this site already, so maybe Ry can link me or something rather than making him repeat himself.
The above results are exactly what holds me back in my poker career - I play good, feel good, this goes on for a couple days or so but then I have a almost 10 buy-in downswing day and it sets back everything I have accomplished in the week. This leads to a lot of break even or losing weeks, which ultimately add up to losing or gone nowhere months. And because these downswings DO happen every week, not like a once and a while "tough it out, kid" kind of way, but every week, I know it is a personal flaw and if I could just plug this leak I could make a more consistent profit, move up the stakes, and maybe take the downswings in stride as they won't be happening every few days. What does it all mean?
EDIT: I reviewed some hand history from today and noticed a big problem during my steaming fit is that the 'call' button is being used far too often. Strange, because I know how to profile my opponents and how to adjust to their tendencies but it seems like during a bad run the hand that clicks the mouse takes over and isn't listening to reason. I sit there and I say to it, "Please, don't do it! There are better spots! We have an edge! We have an edgeeee!!!!!" but it's out of control.
Sounds like you answered your own question in the edit.
It can be very hard to see when you are tilting/playing worse. My advice would be to take a step back during a losing streak/session, relax for a few minutes then review some HHs from the session before playing again. You'll often be surprised at how bad you've been playing, I know I often am.
Knowing the right adjustments and decisions is only part of the process, consistently and frequently performing them is a whole different thing and should not be underestimated.
"Knowing the right adjustments and decisions is only part of the process, consistently and frequently performing them is a whole different thing and should not be underestimated."
That's probably one of the lines that will stick with me as I build on my heads up game. It's a really good point. Often enough Type 2 personalities like myself feel like if we just know how to do the moves then we will have success and we'll have it now. It seems like I am my greatest obstacle to HUSNG success. Which is a bummer for me because there are so many great resources on this site for learning the heads up game but I'm just crazy, and there is no known cure for the crazies.
I think what you said about taking a break for a bit is the hardest part. The "play through it" approach, which never works, is so much more alluring because it means (in theory) money NOW, getting out of the hole NOW. It's harder to walk away and knowing that I am leaving my bankroll in worse shape than when I first sat down.