Comments on: Knowing What you Want – Part 2 of 2

By: hutch

hutch — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 13:59:59 +0000

“I believe that if we focus on the end result, no matter the vocation, then we’re missing all of the elements that provide for us during the process of getting to that end result …”

Really made me think now, beacuse I make a conscious effort to focus on the end result in my trading (and by end result I mean what I want out of my trading – not just the money). Why? because that’s what energises me. Focus is feelings and the object of my focus determines the longevity of my feelings. If I focus on my last trade, good or bad, that feeling persists until the next trade – good or bad. If I focus on my trading state my feelings persist for the duration of that state. Consequently it may persist over multiple trades as I experience my developmental progression. My ‘State’ feelings are less ephemeral than my ‘Trade’ feelings but still prone to swings. Now if I focus on my end result my ‘Vocation’ feelings kick in and it is these that are long lasting and keep me anchored to the prize even when the trade goes against me and my state is unbalanced.

My ultimate? embrace the present, learn from the past and keep my eyes firmly on the prize

By: Bradley Trull

Bradley Trull — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 18:08:03 +0000

I can only make a sports analogy here, I think. Growing up in Indiana; we are the basketball capital of the world . The list of great players from this tiny state , less than 6 million, reads like a whos’ who of basketball legends.
Growing up we played for the love of the game , baskets on barn doors. My home court was mud/dirt. Hours were spent playing, shooting free throw pickup games, dribbling with our left hands.
The movie ” Hoosiers ” is a true story as is the pictures of the scenery; and did any of you see the little tiny school from Indiana ” Bulter ” play ” Duke” in the finals this year ?
See, if you do all the little things at basketball and practice them well ; the money will follow. I think this is the idea in becoming a good trader. First embrace learning to be a good trader , practice your methods and the money will follow.

Just my 2 cents

By: Triffany Hammond

Triffany Hammond — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:30:36 +0000

I believe that if we focus on the end result, no matter the vocation, then we’re missing all of the elements that provide for us during the process of getting to that end result.

Ultimately, you want to make money with your trading. Yes, that’s the main draw.
There are a lot of things that are out of your control. Yes, that’s very true and what makes it so risky.

But if we keep our focus on those two things alone, then we’re overlooking everything else that this path (or any path a person could choose) has to offer. It is in all of that stuff that we’re overlooking where the real answers lie.

What else are you getting out of learning to trade? Personal insights, personal development, learning to be disciplined, becoming more patient, the list goes on and on.

Now that the focus is on what we’re getting out of the process we can develop and hone those elements and that will ultimately make the change we’re after in our lives.

The problem really lies in shifting the focus…it is very difficult to do. Even more difficult than shifting the focus is changing the belief system that kept our attention diverted in the first place. Fear, disbelief, fear, anger, doubt, fear…these are the emotions that drive our attention to the unproductive side of our lives.

In answer to your question maybe you should just go back to your former life (whatever that was)…maybe you should…but I’d encourage you to really understand why you’d be making that choice.
Maybe you revert because you realize you don’t like risk, you don’t like feeling out of control, you don’t like the learning and growing process it makes you feel uncomfortable. That’s where the knowing what you WANT in the first place comes in handy. Do you want to stay with the familiar as long as possible (change is still inevitable) or do you want to expand yourself into something new and glean everything you can from the process? Often the answer is the first for people (for now)…that’s fine. There is absolutely nothing wrong with doing what you want…but…

… it is the unconscious choice that I want to dissuade you from.

By: Aby David

Aby David — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:54:42 +0000

Bare with me here … cos I do struggle with this problem but in a different way …

There is a difference between our friend Simon Choppit and us/me. Once Simon decides to focus on becoming a lumberjack, hard as though it may be, the basic stages in becoming a lumberjack are within his control, so that his focus is the key and his decision to become a lumberjack can direct him towards success. However, Al Mond who wishes to start his own nut stand business has pitfalls in front of him (pitfalls get it ) that are out of his control . As much as he may be obsessed with nuts, not everyone else may be, and he can put all the efforts in the world to attract people to buying his nuts but that does not necessarily lead him to success. He may have to re-think his position and decide that maybe it can’t be done or maybe his capability is just not up to success in this area despite his desire for it to work, maybe he’ll have to go back to being president of the SNB.

As traders, we, for the most part, have managed that initial drive to focus us towards becoming a trader, thats why we are here, right ? What is missing is after having driven for so long, maybe no one wants to buy our peanuts ? maybe we should go back to chasing after Paris Hilton as a paparazzi ?

Is this comment completely off target or am I just off target ?