Pulling the Trigger

"Sometimes I absolutely dread sitting down to trade. I have had so many bad experiences that I'm not sure I can pull the trigger. Anything I can do about it?"   

What happens to us as we trade colors the way we see things in the market and influences the way we approach them. We take a big hit in a particular market and we decide never to trade there again. Or, when we have a great trade in market, it produces pleasure, so we try to trade there again as soon as we can.

How do you envision the futures markets overall? More importantly, how do you conceive of your role in the market? Do you see the markets as potentially hazardous arenas in which you must be very, very careful? Do you see them as though everyone in it is out to take your money? Or do you view them as a place in which there is dynamic profit opportunity?

Each time you sit down to trade workspace, do you feel uncomfortable and wish you were somewhere else? Or are you really eager to jump into your work, look over your charts, and get down to trading? Does plowing through new material feel like a lot of hard work, or does it excite you to learn new information that will add to your ability as a trader?

The way you envision the markets will have a powerful influence on your actions! So it's absolutely necessary for you to be very much aware of just what your perception is and what past experiences colored your perception. You need to honestly assess your vision of-and feelings toward—the market and your role in it. It will surely be time well spent.