Poker Discipline - I don't have it

I'll cut to the chase, I'm completely undisciplined when it comes to poker. That is to say, I know how to play the game, but I never stick to my A-Game. I lose focus and go off on donkey tangents constantly. It mostly happens when I get punished for a correct play.

Do you guys have any tips that could help me keep my composure at the table? Maybe there are some guidelines I can work into my routine that can help me curb my bad habits?

Thanks

Ill give this the only way I know how...FOOTBALL ANALOGIES

A good poker player needs to be like a good quarterback, both need to have a selective short term memory.

ok so u say u go on donkfests after a bad beat right?
what i suggest for this is that u should sit out aa round at the table to get ur composure back and get back into a good state of mind, thats all i can think of now but if something comes to mind ill post it here after

read some books, then reread them, if you havn't already. knowledge is power. i've started reading about the game quite a bit more. i am currently reading the tao of poker, and of course i read this forum religiously.

also what pantin said. take a breather when you feel your donk tendencies take over. sit out a round. step away from the computer for a couple of minutes. clear your head.

if i find myself doing things that i normally wouldn't do, i'll put on some pink floyd and the music helps me relax and gain my senses back.

this works for me, it may not work for you. try out a few different things to see what helps you relax.

well,you just have to realize that the correct play doesn't always workout correctly...that's just poker.try to not let that get to you.i find that more often then not it does work out tho so you have to put these "bad beats" aside and try to continue to play your normal solid game (hopefully it is) and you will usually come out on the plus side.it sounds like your going on tilt a bit and then trying to MAKE things happen instead of LETTING things happen and that always cost me money.so just remember your a good player(i'm assuming) and play the best you know how and you should win over-all.don't let beats affect your play because we all lose hands we should win and also win some we shouldn't .i think it evens out so i play my game expecting to lose some i should win so when it does happen it's no big deal cause i know i'll get it back by playing solid poker..which we all can do so keep that in mind and it might help you stay on course after a bad hand or two.hope this made some sense.

I like the idea of this, i might try this next time i suffer a bad beat

read" zen and the art of poker" helped me somewhat , well somtimes i still tilt.

You get bored right? Playing hands you have no business playing? Do something else while you play, like read this forum, read the strategy articles, makes some posts, whatever it takes to keep you from being bored and donking out.


Just started reading this one a couple of days ago. What did you think?

Take a break or even leave the table after you get dealt a bad beat.

There's always another game out there to beat.

I think the only way is to just practice. When you take a bad beat or something, just walk away and cool down for a minute. It will come will patience and experience.