In the ongoing series “Seven Lessons I’ve Learned”, we come to Lesson 4. We recognize that we are trying to make the best decisions possible and that we some kind of process and discipline to guide our efforts. On the other hand, we need to get the mental game right to achieve true peak performance, just like with any activity … Read More
Lesson 3: You Need A Process of Your Own
Continuing the series on Seven Lessons I’ve Learned, we will explore Lesson 3: A process and methodology of your own are what make you a long-term winner. As we have seen in the past two lessons, trading well is mostly a product of making good risk/reward decisions in the face of stress. The markets can do what they’re going to do … Read More
Lesson 2: Trading Is Peak Performance
Continuing the series Seven Lessons I’ve Learned, I wanted to talk about the right lens or framework for understanding trading. Is it “combat”, is it a “sport”, or is it “a treasure hunt”? All of these are valid metaphors for describing some aspect, but I don’t feel that it captures the essence of the activity. Instead, peak performance is the … Read More
Lesson 1: Trading is Decision Making
Lesson #1 : Good trading is about good decision-making Last week, I wrote up seven lessons that I’ve learned about investing and trading over the past few years. That was an overview of some of the more interesting and surprising things that I’d come across in my journey in the markets. As a continuation of this series, I’m going to … Read More
The Seven Lessons I’ve Learned
The Seven Lessons I’ve Learned Over the past several years of writing about trading and investing, psychology and self-development, there are a few things that seem to come up over and over. When I started out, I just wanted to share what I found interesting and what I had learned in my career journey. But after some time, as I … Read More
Choking and Trading
The most painful sports phenomenon to watch is choking. I can get almost nauseous when I see a skilled, highly practiced athlete fall apart in the last minute. Imagine- he’s been ahead the whole way and yet manages to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. We know that the stress in these situations is huge but no one wants to … Read More
How To Remove Your Emotions From Trading
Investors and traders around the world are always wondering “How do I remove the emotions from trading?” We’ve all experienced the downside of emotions –panicking and closing out a trade at the worst possible moment; being too greedy and taking on an excessive amount of risk; or just watching our overall emotional state fluctuate with the markets. The natural reaction … Read More
How Do You Start Trading Without A Methodology?
Starting out in trading and investing can be a daunting challenge. Surveying successful traders, they will give you advice like “You need a methodology that works”; “You need a style that’s all your own”; “you have to find your own way”. That’s great, but when you are just getting started, you’re probably wondering how you’re going to make any money. … Read More