My problem lies in reconciling my gross habits with my net income.
-- Errol Flynn

Assuming you have a goal -- winning -- here then are seven habits you can work into your life to help you play profitable poker:

1. Don't settle for what's happening in the moment. If you're in a pot naturally you have to pay attention but this single hand is just a portion of your focus. If you intend to make X amount of money in a given session or a given time frame, you have to plan for that outcome and work toward it.

2. Project your success. While it smacks a bit of positive thinking (and there's certainly nothing wrong with that concept), you should constantly fantasize about how great the world will be when you achieve your goal -- even if it's a short term goal.

3. Take care of extraneous business before coming to the game. There's nothing worse than having your mind wander away from poker to think about a bill that must be paid before 5 pm. or a vehicle that has to be registered before Friday. Take care of those annoying necessities of life so they won't intrude in your game.

4. Think like a winner as often as possible. No matter who beats you in a hand or how they beat you, you are a winner. One setback or two might be a losing battle but doesn't not mean you will lose the war.

5. Pay attention to what makes people tick. As soon as you begin to understand the personality of your opponent you will begin to get the best of him.

6. Keep your mind alert at all times. A momentary lapse of concentration during your game can spell disaster. (And if it does, don't let it happen again.)

7. Keep your mind, body and spirit in the best shape it possibly can be. Acid reflux, drug use, alcohol, personal conflicts, and other problems will always take the edge of your best. Don't let it happen to your poker game.

If some of these seem to overlap, delete them and insert your own habit. Then start practicing them because good habits take as long to master as bad habits and time and money are awastin'.