What is your opinion on taking notes during play? As you take a note, you are missing action, but by not taking the note, you may forget vital information. Is there a way to notetake, but remain single minded?
For you, taking notes is simply part of the game. It's not a "distraction from the more important task of playing." Think of note-taking as one of the many profitable things you do as you "play poker."
Can you take notes and remain single-minded? Yes! Of course! There is no task that can't be done single-mindedly. If you take notes mindfully, then single-mindedness is maintained. You single-mindedly takes notes while you are taking notes, then you single-mindedly resume focusing on your game(s) when the note is finished. If you go back and forth between those two tasks a hundred thousand times per year, then your objective is to be aware when you have moved from one task to the other as many times as possible.
I am playing now.
I am taking a note now.
Let those two thoughts come and go thousands of times along with all the other less mindful thoughts.
And while we're here, read this:
http://tommyangelo.com/articles/on_the_importance_of_paying_attention.htm
:-)
Tommy