Bulletproof Trader. Steve Ward

the rest of your trading career you take the specific actions that are required to maximise your chances of success in trading – whether you are motivated or not, in the mood or not, whether you feel good or bad, whether you are making money or losing money, optimistic or pessimistic, calm or anxious, relaxed or fearful, energetic or tired, confident or not.Which would you choose?Many people link taking specific action to being in a particular mindset, mood, or having a required level of motivation. In trading, however, it is often the case that action will need to be taken even when the desired internal experience is not present. Traders have to be able to take market opportunities that present themselves, even though difficult thoughts and emotions around losing may be showing up following a previous losing trade or a string of losses. Traders need to be able to stay in winning trades, even though thoughts and emotions around the potential for future regret may be showing up. Traders have to be able to take losses, even though difficult thoughts and emotions about taking the loss and the possibility of the ‘market coming back’ may be showing up.

      It is commonplace for traders to have to take effective trading action while co-existing with difficult internal thoughts, emotions and physical sensations.

From motivation to commitment

      Commitment is about being action-focused. It is about taking action, doing what is needed, even when motivation is low, or you are tired, or you are feeling anxious. Or, in fact, when you are having any difficult internal experience.

      Commitment is long lasting. It cuts through motivation. It doesn’t require you to feel a particular way; it just requires you take effective action in that moment.

      When you take action you create shifts in your mind and body. Taking action in itself can lead to increased feelings of motivation. Action can actually be antecedent to motivation.

      Act first, then feel as a result.