The previous post reminded me about a conversation I had last week with Prince (a.k.a. Chartreuse). "Ugly", Prince and I were discussing trading over drinks, dinner and then drinks again. Prince was fascinated by the fact that Ugly and I were trading stocks full time and was peppering us with questions. He wanted to do a video interview with us but we never got around to it. Perhaps we'll still do it in the near future. There were a few things in particular that really piqued Prince's interest.
The first thing was when I told him that I know nothing about the fundamentals of the stocks that I trade and often have no idea what the companies even do. Most people, when they learn that I'm a trader, think that I'm studying financial statements, economic reports and the like. They're often taken aback when I tell them that all I do is look at squiggly lines (charts). That was very much the case for Prince. I wish that his reactions were being videotaped. To me they were much more entertaining than anything Ugly and I were saying.
We also got into some interesting discussion when I told him that I have more losing trades than winning trades. I think he was contemplating trying to trade for a living until I told him that part. But the real kicker of the evening was when Prince responded to something we said with a comment like "so you guys just focus on the present moment". That "present moment" stuff is repeated over and over in my trading affirmations CD so I had to whip out my iPod and ask him to take a listen. Here's one of the tracks from the CD:
He listened to about 30 seconds of the track and pretty much fell out laughing. He passed it to Howard who did the same. They asked me if I seriously listened to those affirmations and I got into some of the reasons why I do actually listen to them. As you all know, and as the previous post illustrates, having the proper state of mind is crucial to trading success. While I don't necessarily like some of the things said on the CD ("You are favored by God to...") nor the choice of background music, the CD does a good job of reinforcing important principles. I like tho think of it as audio CliffsNotes for the book "Trading in the Zone". The CD (MP3s) is an excellent, and quick, way to reinforce much of what's in the book.
I knew that playing the affirmations would evoke quite a response from the guys but I had no idea it would become the running joke of the weekend. Jeff and Adam, the video producers of WallStrip even got in on the fun. I'm sure we'll be doing something on those affirmations at WallStrip. Prepare to be amused...
Great post. Don't let the joking get you down - in fact, you should set it to auto play whenever someone hits the website!
While I don't listen to positive "trading specific" aspirations, I do practice positive thinking and I meditate daily. And, it makes all the difference in my trading and my life. If anyone is interested in a great resource, Google "TAD Principle".
I also like the poster at the top of your post - I have studied Buddhism and recommend everyone take a look at it. Don't think you have to turn away from your religion or beliefs; the concepts of Buddhism can be incorporated into any life and religious pursuit.
Sorry about getting too deep - anyway, keep going with your affirmations!!!
Thanks for the note X. Don't worry, the joking didn't get me down. I thought it was funny and I knew it was coming.
I've got that cd too. Once you've got a playbook of technical patterns to work with, it really does comes down to psychology.
I incorporate positive visualization as much as possible into my trading. Books like, Shakti Gawain's "Creative Visualization", is one I've got on my reading list.
I forgot the story because I was too busy looking for an otlet to charge my Motorola Q for the eigth time that day.
You are right. Us filming Char's would have been funnier. Comedy is about context and played in the right context, the affirmations can seem quite normal - OR HYSTERICAL.
Great post - save that one for Wallstrip - "behind the Scenes"
wow... that is soothing. I feel okay now losing all my money :)
=))
Wow. I listened to that 10 times so far today, it is soothing. I am gonna listen to that every day!! Thanks TM for putting that on your site, I had no idea how tense I was. Of course my trade is going in my direction, so maybe another test is needed...lol.