SHAPESHIFTER'S WORLD

I've started a blog that can be found in GENERAL/BLOG ACTIVITY.

MARCH MADNESS: Let the journey begin

Since tossing out last year's wall calender, my life has been hectic.  I found myself on the juggle with family, an absent landlord, awol insurance contractors, children's school breaks and dealing with the decisions needed to expand my small business during an economic climate that is about as stable as a Libyan dictator.

And during that eight weeks of personal mayhem, I decided that it was a time for a total "regroup" when it came to sports betting.  Late last year, my passion for sports was lost as I tried to separate my enjoyment from sports betting (watching and reading is for the "passion", betting is "business" etc).  I battled with "less is more" while striving to bet on more events to make small gains (on Saturday's, 25 RESEARCHED positions became the norm for Saturday football).  Gains and losses aside, it was not till the Christmas break that I realized that my time betting was hollow and soulless and more simply math and eye strain.

Stepping back and reflecting on 2010, I reaffirmed something I have believed for years; that the "passion" and "the business" have to go hand in hand if one is going to be successful when gambling or trading on sports.  It's finding that "middle ground" where it all comes together.  That point where you look at an event, do the research to find the right play.  Then whenever possible, listen or watch the event and enjoy it regardless of the outcome.  The next step is taking knowledge, general or specific, from the event to help you find a successful play in the future.

That, I believe, is the something that one cannot do overnight or simply turn on.  It's taking all that you enjoy about sports, taking the knowledge you have gained over the years, then convert that into strengths that will help you have enjoyment and success when betting.

Gauging success when it comes to betting is obviously through the financial gain.  Don't kid yourself.  A loss is a loss.  True, a punter who is going to his afternoon match will have a flutter on his team and will reap the reward of a free pint if the result goes their way or see the lost fiver as part of the day out.  But if you're sitting down, doing the research and placing a bet based on knowledge and your prediction of the outcome, you are now betting on an outcome.

The tools on offer to help one be "successful" has changed over the past decade.  Technology now allows anyone planning a bet the ability to do more in depth research but the opportunity to combine the traditional "predicted result" with strategy, math, cross market betting, hedging, etc to create positive gains and limited losses.  Like the "middle ground" I mentioned, it doesn't happen overnight.  It takes time, patience and eventually 'discipline' to achieve financial success in the world of sports betting.

Since January, I have looked at the reasons over the past when I have been not only successful at punting but in business and, ultimately, life.  I know that when I have prepared myself, whether for a math exam in grade 11 or a day of racing, the chances of success are exponentially better.  I know that focus brings discipline and distraction detracts.  My years of business, I was able to build things up with little or no finances making me wiser in my spending.  And that "listening to my gut" when it came to a decision was a smart thing.  As for times when I have not been successful, those became glaringly obvious.

I then took most of February cleaning out the old and preparing for the new.  Old spreadsheets that help me do research were dusted off and rejinked.  Analysis on where I do well and where I fall short were looked at.  Rules and guidelines were repeated like a mantra on walks to the shops.  And I reminded myself of what it takes "to flick the switches" to put me into a positive mindset, the most important switch being the "off switch" which allows you to enjoy family and life beyond the days betting, refreshing yourself for the next time you'll make a play.

So today, the first of March, I find myself prepared to take small steps to towards positive gains.  A trip to find that "middle ground" where passion, knowledge and sports betting come together.

And strangely, as the calender approached today, I decided that chronicling the journey would be a good way of me looking at the ups and downs as I try to tie things together.  So that is why I find myself creating this journal.

I will post how things are going and will post the gains and losses along the way.  And as long as it doesn't detract from my research time, I will try to post plays in advance.  But reading my meanderings will be more about approach and views on sports betting rather than offering up selections.