There are two types of people:
• On time people
• Late people
“On time” people will always find a way to be on time unless an entire sequence of awful events takes place because there’s something inside of us (yes, I’m one of them) that makes it so, so unacceptable to not keep the time agreement.
“Late” people? They do not care about such things. They see time as a suggestion, not a key part of the agreement and will always find a way to be late, no matter how early they start getting ready or how many times you try and nudge them into being on time.
And have you ever noticed that “On time” people and “late” people almost always marry each other. Good times!
This principle applies to how you’re trading as well, where there are also two versions of you:
The “good” version, who is able to easily trade well and have a good time.
The “bad” version, who, no matter what is going on, just cannot get it together and make solid decisions no matter how many times you tell yourself to lock in and get focused.
Your earnings depend entirely on how often you show up as the first version compared to the second. Because it doesn’t matter how much you study or know. If you’re in the “bad” state? You will always find a way to talk yourself into doing something stupid and always find a way to sabotage your volume and get upset at stuff that you will later see was ridiculous.
But in the moment, you’re gonna do what you’re gonna do when you’re in that state.
This is why presence matters. It keeps you in the “good” zone. And in doing so, ensures that your trading knowledge turns into nice profits, which is kind of the whole reason to play this game we call trading.
Consistency and Discipline:
On Time People vs. Good Traders: Just like “on time” people who consistently manage to keep their commitments, traders who are disciplined and follow a trading strategy consistently are more likely to succeed. They stick to their rules, manage risk, and are less influenced by emotional decisions. Their discipline ensures they are “on time” with their market entries and exits, adhering to their strategy regardless of external pressures.
Emotional Control:
Late People vs. Bad Traders: “Late” people, who treat time agreements loosely, can be likened to traders who let emotions drive their decisions. In trading, being in a “bad” state might mean reacting impulsively to market news or price changes, leading to poor decision-making like overtrading or holding onto losing positions too long. These traders, like “late” people, might start with the intention of following a strategy but get distracted or overwhelmed by the moment’s pressures.
Performance and Presence:
The concept of presence where staying in the “good” zone leads to better decisions and outcomes translates to trading where focus and mental clarity are crucial. Traders need to maintain a clear mindset to avoid sabotaging their own strategies. Being “present” means you’re fully engaged with your trading plan, market analysis, and not distracted by the noise or your own biases.
Success Definition:
The narrative about redefining what “good” means (making money rather than sounding smart) applies to trading. A successful trader isn’t necessarily the one with the flashiest strategies or who can discuss market theories the best; it’s the one who actually makes consistent profits. This might mean sticking to simpler, well-executed strategies rather than complex ones that one can’t manage under stress.
Marrying Opposites (Metaphorically in Trading):
Just as “on time” and “late” people often pair up, traders might find themselves oscillating between disciplined and undisciplined states. Recognizing these personal patterns can help traders work on their weaknesses. You always need to find the best version of yourself.
In closing, trading demands a blend of knowledge, discipline, emotional control, and the ability to be consistently “present” in your strategy execution. The key takeaway is that success in trading isn’t just about knowing what to do but doing it consistently under various market conditions.
If you need help with your trading read on:
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