Trade Aptitude

Trading Lessons from A Road Less Traveled 

In this 4-part series we'll explore why traders need more than technical analysis and market strategies—they need emotional resilience.

We’ll use ideas from the bestseller A Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck, to find ways how traders can achieve mental discipline, personal growth, and manage their emotions for long-term success in the markets. If you missed yesterday's article you can find it here. 

2. Acceptance of Responsibility: Owning Your Trades

"We cannot solve life’s problems except by solving them." – M. Scott Peck

Blaming market conditions, news, or external factors for poor trades is easy, but it stunts growth. Peck stresses the importance of accepting responsibility for our actions. In trading, this means owning both wins and losses. By doing so, traders can analyze their mistakes, learn from them, and refine their strategies.

Tips:

• Keep a Trading “Thought” Journal: Document every trade, including the reasoning, emotions, and outcomes. Reflect on what worked and what didn’t. In my journal I note when I deviate from the rules and why. As I review those notes I get ideas to change the rules and improve the plan OR see glaringly wrong decisions that must be avoided in the future. 

• Avoid Excuses: Accept that losses are part of the process. Shift your focus from blame, anger, and remorse to improvement. Every mistake or failure is a learning opportunity. Embrace them unemotionally. 

• Control What You Can: You can’t control the market, but you can control how you respond to it. This all starts with your Thoughts, are they positive or negative? Thoughts bring about Emotions, are they productive or destructive? Emotions determine your Behavior and that gets you Results. You want positive trading results so start with your Thoughts. 

Tomorrow we'll address why patience is so important. 

Our trading teams focus on multiple strategies for day trading futures and high-probability candidates for swing trading options. You can learn either or both risk-free. Join us.

To your trading success,

Mike Siewruk

PS: Feel free to forward this invitation to your trading buddies. Share in the wealth!