Purposeful Trading Part 1

By Dr. Woody Johnson

Paulo breathed a heavy sigh as he thought about the next day’s preparation.  He was still attempting to recover from today’s session, which was emotionally whipping him as my grandfather used to say, “…like he stole something!”  He felt fragmented and frustrated. He knew that his research and preparation for tomorrow’s trading was crucial.  Paulo also knew that his state of mind was not conducive to the sharp focus of his A-Game, which was required for preparation that was not distorted by poor judgment or distracted by noisy thinking. 

He had several mental/emotional tools that he could use when his emotional temperature was too extreme for making prudent decisions.  But he was so disgusted with his results from this day’s trading, which included several losses, two rule violations and a premature exit that left him at break-even only to watch the price action move decidedly in his direction for several points; that he just wanted to chuck it for now. 

However, just then his thoughts turned toward his toe-headed little daughter whose cherubic face beamed a smile in his mind.  He also envisioned his loving wife whom he knew was in his corner.  In fact, these mental pictures reminded him of his “sensory rich vision of success” that he had written which detailed his “compelling reason” for trading.  It was all about his family and his community service.  As he revisited the short but riveting account of those things that mattered most in his life; those things that propelled him out of bed in the morning and drove him like a turbo jet toward his goals; his emotional state rebounded like the ball from a home-run bat. 

Paulo became triggered into a whole cascade of neuro-networks (specific sensory filled memories and thoughts surrounding significant events and people in his life) that revolved around his family, friends and community that made his heart sing.  He became reacquainted with his passion for living which he had connected to his compelling reason for trading. 

Herein was the internal motivation that was not tied to “will power” … the myth of discipline.  Will power is the “I’ll make myself do it” syndrome.  It is a form of discipline, but the mind/body is often working against itself.  Relying on will power can be the precursor of inner conflict and stress.  Will power is where you use metaphors like “putting your nose to the grind stone” and “put your shoulder to the wheel.” 

This form of discipline is arguably not nearly as powerful as connecting your goal to what makes you want to break out in song.  Connecting to your passionate visionary form of discipline engages the body, mind, and emotions to work in the same direction and for the same goal.  When your passion is at work, you become aligned and poised to activate and access your internal and external resources.  When you are on purpose, and your goals are tethered to your passion (a compelling reason), you become driven not dragged to the results you want.  You are then poised to do only what is in the interests of your highest and best goals and your highest and best self.