How to transition from poker to business?
Posted by Kevin Lawrence
Posted by
Kevin Lawrence
posted in
Gen. Poker
How to transition from poker to business?
I struggled for a long time. I had "made it". This was it? I felt empty. Now what?
Then there were the times when I thought I would never make it -- while enduring long downswings.
I was experiencing pain -- both physical and emotional -- frustration, anger, fear, doubt, and at the peak of it all, I felt despair and depression. A few bouts with depression, but they were not that bad if I compared them to the stories of others. Then in the valley of valleys I was thinking about killing myself everyday. In fact, my days started, ended, and were filled with thinking of a way out, of thinking how I would do it, which way would hurt the least?
It was probably 5 years ago when I realized I wanted more then poker. I am scared even to list all the things I have tried -- because some of them are so cringe-worthy. Which, I guess means there is still some healing, acceptance, self-love and forgiveness I need to process.
I am now in a place I didn't know existed. And I love this place.
One of my goals for 2018 is to connect, contribute, and give back to the poker community. The RIO community has given me so much and I would love to help make this place even better. A lot of work is going on behind the scenes. I cannot wait to share it.
For now I have one question: is there any interest in content that is directed towards transitioning from poker to business? Whether you want to make that leap in 2018 or 3-5 years from now I believe I can help out, even if just a little bit.
Thanks for reading. I would love to hear from you.
<3 Kevin
Loading 14 Comments...
Nice post. I'm sorry to hear about what you went through, but glad to hear you are in a different place now. I hope it stays like that!
I definitely have interest in the topic, as its my plan for the future.
I used to feel sorry for myself too. Then I learned that the pain was a teacher. I have been doing gratitude meditation for a while, but only recently have I started being grateful for the demons.
Downswings do not feel so bad when you love them as much as you love the upswings.
Maybe you could get a job at RIO. Poker needs honest people working in the field since there are way too many shady things taking place in the poker world.
@Saulo Ribeiro @quido
How would you like to start? Some ideas: weekly group Zoom call for anyone interested on this topic. I would be willing to commit to running that experiment for a couple months.
That feels like an easy and fun way to start.
Let me know what you think.
Hello I had the same struggle and so far still cant find the way to make the transition from poker to bussines mostly because it is difficult to give up the opportunity cost of start somethig new and left behind poker (whent it cost too much time and struggle to get where i am) and take the leap of fate into something that i dont even know how its going to end up or if its going to like me.
I get it man, I've been there.
Hey Kevin, thank you for sharing your story and giving us your honesty. I too have battled depression and anxiety for the last 12 years of my life, 29 years old now, paired with suicidal thinking more times than just one. I sometimes tend to think that once you “make it” financially those feelings of depression go away, since I am in a financial downswing currently in my life, but the more I read about others who have indeed made it financially, still deal with problems of their own. Money doesn’t make all difficulties go away and I’m starting to learn that. If you’d like to transition from poker to business if poker isn’t doing it for you anymore, maybe you can dive into the industry aspect of it all if you’d still like to be within the poker realm of some sort. I know I tried. I had an interview with RIO for a remote marketing position for the new poker program that is about to come out. You seem like you would be a good fit to apply for some type of industry title and if you’d like to give back to the poker community, that’s a way of being involved. You seem knowledgeable and experienced, so I think you would do well with something like that. I would be totally interested in content that is directed towards transitioning from poker to business. I think that would be excellent for players to indulge in that. Perhaps create a website constructing those lessons. All the best - Adam
It's 100% an internal game.
Thanks, man. I really appreciate the kind words, feedback and conversation.
It's been a long transition. When it actually started I don't know. It's been officially 8 months since I made the leap into business full-time -- I had been cultivating myself and my network for years. Lots of lessons, lots of learning.
Are there any particular things you (and anyone else who wants to join the conversation) are interesting in? Or struggling with? What specifically would you (and Others) like support with?
I am never sure how it'll unfold and that's the best part :)
My websites, if you are interested:
Kevin Cory Lawrence
11 Performance
+1 to anybody who nakedly puts themselves out there. It helps all of us grow when we're honest and open with each other.
Kevin Lawrence: I hope you continue to find peace and happiness. I've had my own (and continue to) battles in the valley of darkness you describe and for any of us who have been there: We share a special bond of understanding and empathy. Once you reach the bottom of that pit, you realize the value of human relationships and interactions and it gives you a totally different perspective on life.
HELL YES and well said to everything you wrote SetMineUrAss and thank you for the love and support.
I have found that peace, and realize now it was never actually lost, it's always been inside me. The seeker is the search ;)
Ahh, that beautiful pit of despair. Looking back at it, I am infinitely grateful for that bottom pit, what a beautiful teacher it.
Be well. Much love.
Are we talking video content?
I'm a recent subscriber to RIO and am feeling inspired so if you want some advice/are open to ideas I'd love to list some topics I'd like to hear some material on similarly to what you've already touched upon.
I think video content is OK, but I've always found a more interactive format a better learning environment for me personally. I've got some ideas here, but for now, I would absolutely love to hear your ideas and topics that interest you. I'm also curious what you (and others) struggle with most?
Be the first to add a comment