Excellence vs. Perfection

John LockeGuest Blog, John Locke, M21 Trading System, Options Education, SMB Options, Traders Ask, Trading Ideas, Trading Lesson, Trading Psychology, Trading TheoryLeave a Comment

I see too many people beating themselves up for not being perfect traders. That’s really sad because being a great trader and achieving the gains you desire isn’t about trading perfectly. In fact, expecting perfection often delays progress for years. When I talk to the most successful traders I know, they call their trading a culmination of errors that usually … Read More

If Trading Stresses You Out, Change Your Perception

John LockeGuest Blog, Health and Trading, John Locke, Options Education, SMB Options, Trader Development, Trading Ideas, Trading Lesson, Trading Psychology, Trading TheoryLeave a Comment

I see it all the time, income traders battling a trade at any cost. Sitting there hour after hour, day after day completely stressed out; using too many resources and taking on way too much risk just so they can win. It’s as if their life depends on winning the trade. This usually happens because the trader is attaching some … Read More

Your Beliefs Are Your Reality, Choose Them Wisely

John LockeGuest Blog, Health and Trading, John Locke, Options Education, SMB Options, Trader Development, Trading Lesson, Trading PsychologyLeave a Comment

I was answering some questions at a trading seminar a while back and a trader stood up and said, “It’s impossible to average more than 12% per year on a portfolio”. I said “OK” and went on to the next person. After all it wasn’t a question so what else was I to say. Apparently, I missed something because he … Read More

What statement are you making with your trading?

John LockeGeneral Comments, Guest Blog, John Locke, Options Education, Trader Development, Trading Ideas, Trading Lesson, Trading Psychology, Trading TheoryLeave a Comment

I talk to traders all over the world and it surprises me how many “high probability” or “market neutral” traders don’t realize that they are making a statement with their position. By making a statement I mean whenever you enter a position, you are defining the conditions under which you will win and which you will lose. For example, when … Read More

Four Ways Market-Neutral Traders Can Benefit From Technical Analysis

John LockeGeneral Comments, Guest Blog, Options Education, SMB Options, Trader Development, Trading Lesson, Trading PsychologyLeave a Comment

Even though Market-Neutral Traders may not be picking a direction, we are dealing with price movement. Knowing what directional traders are thinking and where there are likely to be areas of high volatility can be extremely beneficial. Knowing the market conditions you’re entering into, in advance, can help you to modify your entry or avoid entering a trade that’s not … Read More