Forced to Make Choices

It is easier and less painful to keep life as it is rather than to face the changes that are necessary for us to grow. The changes that I speak of are the changes that will make trading possible in your life.

Why are you in the significant relationship that you are in now? Is it because you love this other person, you are used to it, you feel obligated or are you just plain scared to get out of it because you do not want to be alone and/or have to find another relationship? If you cannot find support in your becoming a trader, then you must decide if this relationship is worth that sacrifice. A person who has a passion for trading that is unstoppable cannot make that sacrifice, and if he does, he will always feel unfulfilled. So, the question becomes are you going to be more miserable giving up the relationship, or feeling unfulfilled by not becoming a trader? If you decide that you will give up the relationship, plan for it before the emotions of the loss you will feel are involved in your decision-making. You need to consider how to break up in the most responsible way for both concerned. A part of those choices are not only dealing with your feelings, but also that of the other person/or people involved. You need to consider the financial aspect and logistics of where you will move. It would also be smart to have a strategy and trading business plan in place. Then once you are out of the relationship, focus on becoming profitable before getting into another relationship.

It is not the best idea to quit a job in these difficult times of finding employment. If, however, that is what is necessary, then you must plan for it in an intelligent way. During the time that you have employment, you must consider the employment to be part of the process and appreciate what you have. If possible, while employed go through all the steps necessary to become a profitable trader. When you believe that your theory is viable, plan to trade real money during a vacation. If you see that you have a profitable strategy that you can follow, then see if you can take a leave of absence. If not, then trade a couple of hours a day. When you have saved enough for your trading business - that being one year of living expenses, enough to run your trading business and an adequate amount of money in your trading account, this is the time to consider letting go of your job. If your trading does not work out, it would be a good idea to have a strategy to get back to a regular job if possible.

It is not easy to sacrifice the pleasure of vacations, dinners out and other social activity just to have that money in the bank for awhile. If, however, you see that money as the money to pursue your dream of becoming a trader, then the sacrifice is worth it. The focus should be on delayed gratification of all those pleasures that you can look forward to when you are a profitable trader.

Yes, perhaps you see that trading class as being expensive, but consider what the price is of time, energy and perhaps you will not be able to do it on your own. Make sure the class will give you the tools you will need. Just because you know of someone who made a great deal of money because they took that particular class, doesn't mean it is right for you. You must not only love trading, you must love the type of trading and a particular strategy to be profitable.

The best strategy will not work if you cannot follow it. Consider what you are losing by not handling the issues that are preventing you from making a profit. What do you feel that you could gain if you overcame your self-imposed limitations on earning profits? This aspect of trading should be part of all traders' training in order to be the best trader that their strategy will allow.

When you make the choice of becoming a trader very often you will have to also make difficult choices. The transition can be challenging, but if the prize of becoming a trader is worth the sacrifices, then it is best to start sooner than later. It is true that you might not make it, but consider the alternative.

coaches traders and investors to their next level of success by helping them overcome their self-imposed limitations. She has been a keynote speaker since 1989, author of 13 books, and owner of