The right mindset.

Ever sat down at a sng and knew immeadiately you were going to win? Your mind was totally focussed, you could almost see the other players cards. You had a smug smile when you folded only to see other players call and get burned. You remained in control and took the money. Great!

So after experiencing this 'high' why is it so hard to repeat for the next game? My mind wanders, I cruise the net in the background, I start another game. I make instant and rash decisions and I get hopelessly burnt.

So how do other players force themseleves back into the groove? How do you prepare BEFORE joining the game? How do you recognise you are ready to play a winning game and not be just another participant?

Great question. The answer is probably no different to how Tiger prepares for a game or Schumacher for a race. Not sure how many poker players here would be so meticulous (I know I'm not) but I'm sure that's what it takes to win.

This is both an interesting and very valid point. Ive done it a few times at sng too: made a couple of great laydowns etc.
There are a few things to remember though. Often as difficult as it can sometimes be at first, emotion should play no part in the way you play. So if you just hammered that last sng in less than 50 hands you are starting a new one now with a completly new mindset.
For me, i dont multitable at the moment, i take a break after each tourny or after i leave a ring game. Simply this lets the mind relax and forget the emotions of the last table (the opposite of tilt if you will) this time your trying to forget good feelings, but not confidence.
Dont know whether this helsp but at least think about why it means you probably bust stupidly after winning a game.
:D

A problem i have run across a few times - i have just called someone's bluff late in a SnG, having a good read on them after playing with them for 30 min or so in the trny leading up to this, so i feel like i'm suddenly the world's best reader, and all my reads are correct

Then i go call someone's bluff early in the next tournament, thinking i have another amazing read, turns out they had the nuts, oops.

Recently i have been trying to concentrate on the fact that once you start a new game, the slate is wiped clean, so treat it like your first game of the day again.

I try and step away and relax fot a few minutes, go get a drink or whatever. I used to find that I would confidently ITM a few SnGs in a short space of time and then I would get cocky and loose a few. I find I suffer from "I'm the greatest player in the worl"' syndrome so it helps to step back for a few minutes.