Negative thoughts not only hinder your growth as a trader, but they also hinder you in your everyday life. In this article I want to remind you of some techniques you can use to help clear negative thoughts from your mind and to allow you to learn and grow as both a human being and a trader. Through dedication to these practices and techniques, it is possible to clear these negative thought patterns and to build a more positive mindset. I’ll explore six effective techniques that can help you regain control over your thoughts, enhance your mental health, and achieve a clearer state of mind.
Technique 1: Mindfulness Meditation, is a powerful technique to help clear negative thoughts from your mind. By focusing your attention on the present moment and observing your thoughts without judgment, you can develop awareness and detachment from negative thinking. Through consistent practice, mindfulness meditation can train you to let go of negative thoughts, creating space for more positive and constructive thinking patterns.
Some people are under the impression that meditation has to be a long-drawn-out process. But it doesn’t have to be. You can start in as little as 3-5 minutes a day. Here is an article on how to get started which you can read by clicking below.
What Is Mindfulness Meditation? (verywellmind.com)
Technique 2: Mental Rehearsal, by using the power of visualization and cognitive techniques, mental rehearsal allows you to mentally practice various scenarios, refine your decision-making process, and to overcome psychological barriers.
I wrote a detailed article on mental rehearsal: Mental Rehearsal for Traders
Technique 3: Positive Affirmations, engaging in positive affirmations is another effective approach to combat negative thoughts. By repeating uplifting and empowering statements, you can rewire your mindset and replace self-doubt with self-belief. Gradually, these affirmations become ingrained in your subconscious, positively influencing your thought patterns, and boosting your self-esteem.
In order for affirmations to work they have to be meaningful to you and there needs to be an emotional attachment to them. If you simply download a few from the internet and repeat them over and over again they are unlikely to help you. It’s best to write your own so that you can really feel the emotion attached to the affirmation.
The technique I use for writing my affirmations is called cognitive restructuring. It involves challenging and replacing negative thoughts with more realistic and positive ones. By questioning the validity of negative self-talk, you can gradually reframe your thinking patterns and overcome self-sabotaging beliefs. It doesn’t happen overnight it takes time, but with persistence you can turn the negative thoughts around.
Here’s an example:
You just had a trade that went against you, but you followed your trading plan perfectly.
Negative thought: “The market sucks, why did I take that trade, I knew the market makers would screw me over”.
Positive affirmation: “You followed you trading plan perfectly. Things like this will happen from time to time it’s part of the process”.
Technique 4: Gratitude Practice, integrating a gratitude practice into our daily routine can have a profound impact on clearing negative thoughts. By expressing gratitude for the present moment and the blessings in your life, you shift your focus away from negativity and redirect it towards appreciation and contentment. Cultivating a habit of gratitude helps you reframe your thoughts and perspectives, enabling you to see the silver linings even in challenging situations.
Give thanks for your winning trades. Give thanks for your losing trades because they give you new opportunities to learn and grow. Give thanks for your loved ones because even though most of them are a pain in the ass they support you and give you something to strive for.
I give thanks every day for my trading group, my assistant coaches, and every member of the group because they all help me stay focused on my own trading. They challenge me to be better so that I can help make them become better traders and even maybe a little bit better as a human beings. When one grows, we all grow. So, Thank You!
Technique 5: Physical Exercise, engaging in regular physical exercise not only benefits your physical health but also has a significant impact on your mental well-being. Physical activity releases endorphins, also known as “feel-good” hormones, which can alleviate stress and anxiety. By incorporating exercises such as running, walking, yoga, or dancing into your routine, you stimulate your brain’s production of these mood-enhancing chemicals, helping to clear negative thoughts and promote mental clarity.
I hike several days a week. I like to hike in the most remote places I can find so I get away from all the noise of the city. I always come back refreshed and happy, ready to tackle the next task. You might find it interesting to know that a pretty good number of these articles came to me while I was hiking. I simply have to write them down when I get home. It’s funny how that works.
Technique 6: Journaling, lastly, journaling provides a powerful outlet for releasing negative thoughts. By writing down your emotions, fears, and worries, you unload the burden they place on your mind. Also, journaling allows you to reflect on these thoughts objectively, identify patterns, and finding alternative perspectives. This exercise allows you to gain a clearer understanding of your feelings, facilitating the process of letting go of negativity and embracing a more positive outlook.
When you are journaling, you’re trading at the end of each day you should not only be documenting your trades but the thoughts and emotions that were attached to them at the time you took them. If you have trouble remembering, make sure you take notes so that you can review them at the end of each day. This is also a good time to consider writing your positive affirmations while all the negativity is still fresh on your mind.
Listen folks, clearing negative thoughts from your minds is essential for maintaining your mental well-being and overall happiness. By practicing exercises such as mindfulness meditation, positive affirmations (cognitive restructuring), gratitude, physical exercise, and journaling, you can reclaim control over your thoughts. With dedication and consistency, you can foster a clearer, more positive mindset, enabling you to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and optimism.
If you need help with your trading read on:
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