When on a Slump

I read an article about how to deal when you are in a slump. It had nothing to do with poker, but I think we can relate a lot and apply it to our game. So here is my version of it.
First thing we need to do is:

Don't panic.
Don't press too hard.
Don't get down on yourself.
Don't get mad.
And above all -- don't quit.

What causes a downswing? We can say, variance and pokergods, but in reality other than running bad, you are gonna be making mistakes (Technically or emotionally) and Therefore, you are the best (only) person to fix it.

Here are the prime causes of many slumps:

Poor belief system - I don't believe in my game, or style to be good enough. I don't think that I'm the best.
Poor work habits - Playing tired, too many hours, playing when you don't feel sharp; at your best or unwilling to stop playing when things go wrong. In other words Not spending your time productively.
Misperceptions that lead to sour grapes - I can play any hand any position profitably (Ehh no you can't, stop defending your blind so much).
Outside pressure - Caused by money problems, family problems, or personal problems.
Poor personal habits - Not resting enough, Not eating good,Too much drink, too much food, or too much after hours play.
Someone giving crap instead of support - Someone who says, "You better do it," instead of, "I know you can do it."
Events that go against you - Cooler/badbeats, maybe someone win a big tournament that you know it was supposed to be yours. Weakening your personal belief or causing severe money problems -- or both.
Getting depressed - From any of the above.

When you're in a slump, you begin to press your game for results instead of working your best game-plan to improve as a player, and play solid. When you have the pressure to win, its easy to lose focus and not be at your +A game.

Then things get worse. You can't seem to win a session at all, and begin to panic. Oh my gosh, I can't win a coinflip, I'll get busto, miss my house payment, can't pay my bills -- Aaaahhhhhh! TILT TILT TILT, throw the mouse and monitor.... AHHHH NOW I NEED A NEW ONE FUCK!!!!

False fear. Relax, you're better than that.

Here's a prescription to help :
• Get back to basics - Usually what's wrong is not complicated. In fact, you probably know what's wrong. Your problem is that you think it's someone else's fault. Wrong. List two or three areas that need immediate care. Have the guts to take action.
• Revisit your (or make a new) plan for success - Today.
• List 5 things you could be doing to work smarter/harder - Make a plan to work as smart as you think (or say) you are.
• Try a different approach. Take another perspective.
• Talk to your poker friends - Ask them to evaluate your situation.
• Get someone you respect to evaluate your game, Get a coach.
• Put in more productive time.
• Stay away from pity parties - Don't make a slump worse by whining or hanging around a bunch of negative people and underachievers, they will slow you down.
• Hang around positive, successful people - The best way to get to success.
• Have some fun -- Go to the comedy club, do a little extra of what you like to do best (unless too much fun is the cause of your slump).
• Spend 30 minutes a day (in the morning is best) reading about your positive attitude -- Then listen to attitude tapes and motivation audios in the car all day.
• Listen to your favorite song just before playing, pump yourself.
• Take a few days off - Chill out, take stock, make a plan, re-group, re-energize, and return with renewed determination and better energy.
• Rearrange your office/house - Shake things up a little, make them look new.
• Record your session- Then listen to your commentary afterwards. Take notes. Act to correct. Watch it with others who can give you constructive feedback.
• Do some sweats with someone you respect then evaluate the session.
• Avoid negative talk and negative people like the plague - Find people who will encourage you, not puke on you.

When a baseball player is in a batting slump he will do anything to "change his luck." Things from superstition (rabbits foot, not shaving, wearing the same underwear) to changing batting stance, to video watching, to extra coaching. But the one thing that usually breaks the slump is extra batting practice -- to regain the groove. Fundamentals.

I will be taking a break this weekend and spend it with my girlfriend in the beach. Watch a lot of videos, and keep working in my game. Haven't played much, but did played on a couple of tournaments. Was deep in two of them cashed small in one, the other one with 30 left I was 8th in chips and got it in vs the big stack in a 3b pot with AA vs KK and he hit his K on the turn. That hand would have put me chip leader and close to the 12k pay out. At least I played solid.

Other random notes on the truth about slumps:
The best way to get out of the rut is keep the slump in perspective. Once you accept the fact that it's no one's fault but your own, you can begin to recover. Be cool --- you're the greatest, if you think you are. -- Believe in the most important person in the world -- you.