Confession: I use to be a professional poker player. #truth 

In the poker world–specifically in Texas Hold’Em–there is what is called the Big Ten. The Big Ten is the ten best starting hands that you can have in Texas Hold’Em. It doesn’t guarantee you will win the hand–but it does mean your odds are stacked in your favor.

The most conservative strategy you can deploy while playing Texas Hold’Em is to only play the Big Ten. 

Only playing the ten best starting hands means only playing 9 out of every 100 hands, or 1 out of 11 hands, dealt to you. You must have patience. How patient? On average, you will end up playing one hand per hour–but when you do play you have a great chance to be holding a winning hand.

Here is the cross over to your non-poker-playing-lives: we are often impatient with life. We jump at too many hands dealt ( AKA opportunities) because, “What if there isn’t any other chances out there? Time is ticking . . .”  We take these lesser hands and try to polish them up in our minds:

“Yeah I mean, I know I’ve sworn I would never become a teacher, and I know teaching 5 and 6 year-olds english doesn’t make me come alive, but maybe I’d get lucky? Besides–what if nothing else comes along? I’ll just ditch my 10 years of experience and expertise in a completely different field and I’ll just start over. Why not? Everyone else is doing it. I would hate to stand out. That would feel awkward.” 

It is easy to get nervous about life and step out of your sweet spot to start gambling with life. Poker, much like life, is a game of skill–not a game of gambling. Are there people who gamble in Poker? Yes. Just like there are people who take gambles in life.

Are there times where we should step out and take a chance if we get that gut feeling? Yes. But, these times are few and far between.

You need to determine, and stick close, to your Big Ten. 

Are you focused on the improving the weak areas in your life, trying to become a well rounded person, that you have become below average just like everyone else?

Or, have you identified your strengths. Are you sticking to the Big 10? The top 10% in your life that sets you apart, where you naturally excel?

Find that 10%, write down your “Big 10” and hone in on those gifts, hard skills, and soft skills.

Say NO 99% of the time to everything that falls outside of your BIG 10–and double down on, put all your weight energy and focus behind, the small area that will set you apart.