It's A Heart-Mind Game... Are You Ready?

Subby arrives at the office.

Subby: Good Morning. My name is Subconscious Wonder. I'm here to turn in an application for the talent search. (Subby hands her the application)

Receptionist: Thank you Mr. Wonder. I was expecting you. Nice to see that you are earlier than scheduled.

Subby: I like to be proactive and prepared. Never know when something could come up.

Receptionist: That's a great idea. Works well. I find that most successful people tend to have that habit.

Receptionist: Well your meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. You are welcomed to wait here if you'd like.

Subby: Thanks, but I think I'll sit outside in the sunshine for a bit. See you in about an hour...Ms. Thinker. (glancing at the receptionist's name plate on her desk...Creative Thinker.)

Ms. Thinker: Okay Mr. Wonder. See you then.


When Subby returns he will be interviewed by Mr. MindOverMatter who will have had the opportunity to review the application.

It's about 9:50 a.m. and Subby returns for the interview. He has a seat in the reception area. He sits for about five minutes before Ms. Thinker directs him to Mr. MindOverMatter's office.

Ms. Thinker: Mr. Wonder, Mr. MindOverMatter will see you now. Right this way please. (as she directs Subby to the open door)

Subby: Thank you Ms. Thinker.

As Subby enters the office, it is a surprise to see Mr. MindOverMatter. He is dressed like a pro golfer. The office has a very relaxed and comfortable feeling. Subby likes that alot. The two shake hands as Subby introduces himself.

Subby: Good morning Mr. MindOverMatter. I'm Subconscious Wonder.

Mr. MindOverMatter: Good Morning Mr. Wonder. Please have a seat. Well Mr. Wonder, I see from your application that you like to be called Subby. Do you mind if I call you Subby?

Subby: No, not at all.

Mr. MindOverMatter: Fine. I'd prefer it too if you would call me NeverAgain.

Subby: Sure. That's fine with me NeverAgain.

NeverAgain: Thank you Subby for taking up the offer made by my client Mr. DoingWell Trader. I've gone over your application and have a few questions. But, before we get there, is there anything you'd like to ask?

Subby: Not at this time. Still a little surprised that this is really happening to me...such an opportunity of a lifetime.

NeverAgain: That is how life works. We just have to do our best to be prepared for those moments when they do come...and they're always coming.

NeverAgain: Okay. Just going over some basics here...your parents are Diligent and Delightful Wonder and you have a brother..Stubborn Wonder? How did you get along with your brother?

Subby: We did not get along very well. He always wanted his own way, and that annoyed me. He was very closed minded...thought he knew everything and that he was always right. I guess he wanted to be in charge so he could control everything and everyone.

NeverAgain: Hmm...I don't think people like that get very far. Sorry to hear that you did not get along well with him. Might be a blessing in disguise that you were not like him.

NeverAgain: Uh...you mentioned here in the Work Experience/Other Interests section of the application that you started trading. Tell me about that please?

Subby: Well, just a few months ago a friend told me about Forex trading. I went online and started working with a Demo Account. I placed a few trades, but really didn't feel like I had a system or that I understood myself well enough to make it work. That's why when this chance of a lifetime came along, I jumped at it.

NeverAgain: Good for you Subby. Well I'll tell you...if your test results and take-home assignment are what Mr. DoingWell Trader would like to see, you're in for a treat. Ready to take the tests?

Subby: Yes sir!

NeverAgain: Okay Subby. Please use the computer to your right. You will be taking two tests: 1. A Personality Test and 2. A Well-Being Test. After lunch, we'll discuss the results and then go over the take-home assignment. Although these two tests are important, that's the one that Mr. Doing Well Trader is really interested in: that take-home assignment!

NeverAgain: I have to step out now, but I'll be back around 1 p.m. When you're finished or if you need any help, please let Ms. Thinker know. Stay calm and be as honest as you can be with the questions, okay?

Subby: Okay...will do my best as you know how emotions can get in the way.

NeverAgain: They sure can. Well, have to run now. See you after lunch.

Subby goes over to the computer, says a quick prayer and begins the first test.


Subby has completed both tests and tells Ms. Thinker. He leaves for lunch and will be back around 1 p.m.

Details of the interview and test results should be posted later this afternoon.


FX4

NOTE: Mind over Matter is an idiom that has the idea that the human mind is more powerful than the body and has the strength to influence any matter that it so desires.

Subby is meeting with NeverAgain now...


NeverAgain: Well Subby, glad you asked about my interest in sports. I used to be a coach...just one of the many things I enjoy. Eager to see your test results?

Subby: Not too eager (with a smile), but yes, I would like to see them.

NeverAgain: Okay, your Personality Test scored you as an INFJ. Here is a detailed description of those personality traits. This personality type is not as common as some of the others. It is interesting that it is the same as Mr. DoingWell Trader. Your Risk Attitude Index was moderately high: between 75%-85%.

Subby: Really? Cool.

NeverAgain: Now for your Well-Being Test. Your Solar Plexus Chakra was on the weak side; your Throat Chakra was closed (that I can understand given your relationship with your brother), but your Root Chakra was strong, which is not bad. The other four chakras were fine. So overall, just a few areas to focus on. Here are some more details on each.

Subby: Thanks. Will read up on these later. Didn't really think my coping mechanisms that I installed for dealing with my brother had such an effect on me.

NeverAgain: It happens to all of us in one way or another. We just have to recognize the problems and take steps to correct them. Nothing at all to be worried about.

NeverAgain: Okay Subby, ready for that take-home assignment?

Subby: Absolutely!!!

NeverAgain: First I have to give you this letter from Mr. DoingWell Trader. It explains why this assignment is so important to him. Take about 10 minutes to read it. I'll be stepping out to speak with Ms. Thinker, but I'll be right back.


NeverAgain gives Subby the letter and steps out of the office.

Next, the letter...

FX4

P.S. The links to these tests have already been provided in the thread.

Dear Subby,

You are about to complete an assignment that is very important to me. Here's why...

Several years ago I was preparing to teach some newbie traders. I was at Fry's Electronics in the checkout aisle when the inspiration came to get a particular move and play it for the students. I had seen the movie years before, but I could not even remember the name. All I remembered was that Harrison Ford was in it and that it was about a Russian submarine. The clerk and I tried to find it, but it was difficult. I went back to the checkout aisle after two attempts. At that point, I had given up as nothing was coming to mind. Just as I was going to pay, it came back to me as clear as a bell: K19 The Widowmaker. I ran back to that department and lo and behold there was only one left. Something about the whole situation felt like destiny in the making.

I watched the DVD before showing it to the class and I was shocked at what I "saw" and "understood". If you can see yourself in that DVD, there is a great chance that we can work together. That DVD has an answer, if not the answer for every newbie; every trader.

NeverAgain will give you instructions now. Hope we will get to meet soon.

Regards,


DoingWell

Subby just finished reading the letter as NeverAgain came back into the office.


NeverAgain: All done?

Subby: Yes sir; all done.

NeverAgain: Okay. Here is your take-home assignment. Watch this DVD. Watch it as many times as you need to, then answer these five questions. These answers will tell DoingWell if you are The One.

1. Which character do you think represents you (Subconscious) in the movie and why?

2. What do you think are the strengths of that character?

3. What do you think are the weaknesses of that character?

4. What do you think that character needed to succeed?

5. Do you think that character failed at any point in the movie? If so, why? How did they resolve it?

You should be able to "see" it by the time the missile is launched. When you have answered these questions, please return your responses to Ms. Thinker. I will contact you the following day. Today is Monday. I am hopeful that you would have it ready by Wednesday afternoon. If not, that's okay. Just let me know if you need some more time. Is everything clear?

Subby: Yes it is. I'm anxious to see what he "saw" and "understood" in this movie.

NeverAgain: Okay Subby, we're done for today. (as they both stood and shook hands)

Subby: I must say, this was a very different interview. Will do my best to get back to you by Wednesday.

NeverAgain: Take care Subby. It was a pleasure meeting you.

Subby: It was a pleasure meeting you too. Have a good evening.

Subby goes home to complete this mystery assignment. What is there to "see" and "understand"?


When Subby meets Mr. MindOverMatter again, we'll see if it would be okay to post the answers. I think it should be.


FX4

Subby got home and had an early dinner, then sat down to watch the movie. Lots going on for sure. Of course the goal is to "see" and "understand" what Mr. DoingWell Trader got out of it.

During the second viewing, while Subby was thinking "too hard" trying to find the answers to those questions, something popped out: "This guy Comrad Polenin, Executive Officer is like a hinge in this whole thing. The way he swings is the way things go. Huh..."

Subby made some sketchy notes and is about to watch the movie for the third time...after taking a nap of course. Maybe the pieces of the puzzle will be in place by this afternoon. "If I can get this off, I could be meeting Mr. DoingWell Trader on Wednesday. Seems like I gotta watch this guy Polenin very closely."

If Subby can make it happen, it would be the beginning of beginnings...

FX4

Subby's got it!!! At least it feels like "it". The picture that Subby "sees" seems so vivid; it makes sense and all the parts fit easily: nothing forced. The draft of the answers will be polished next, and there will also be a summary of the movie in the form of a letter to DoingWell...Subby really got into this I guess. Looks like the response will be dropped off this afternoon. Ms. Thinker should already have a message on her answering machine to expect Subby around 2 p.m. If NeverAgain is available, there could even be another meeting...all moving closer to the next step .

FX4

Subby arrived at the office just before 2:00 p.m. It was perfect timing as NeverAgain was just on his way to meet Mr. DoingWell Trader...

NeverAgain: Hi Subby. Ms. Thinker told me you would be by this afternoon. Is this your take-home assignment? (as Subby hands him the brown envelope)

Subby: Yes it is. Think I figured it out...it feels right.

NeverAgain: Okay. I'll take it to Mr. DoingWell Trader now. Expect a call from me later this evening. Gotta run.

Subby: Great. Will be awaiting your call!

Subby heads back home excited about the prospect of meeting Mr. DoingWell Trader.


Once Mr. DoingWell Trader has given his approval, the letter Subby wrote to him will be posted.

FX4

Subby gets a phone call from from NeverAgain...

NeverAgain: Hi Subby, it's NeverAgain.

Subby: Good evening NeverAgain.

NeverAgain: Well I have good news. Mr. DoingWell Trader would like to have lunch with you tomorrow. Can you meet at the office around noon?

Subby: Yes!!!

NeverAgain: He was really impressed with your ability to perceive what was happening in the movie. Your letter really did it. Congratulations!!!

Subby: Thanks. Will you be there with us tomorrow too?

NeverAgain: No, I have some other business to attend to, but I'll make the introduction.

Subby: Fair enough. Looking forward to lunchtime tomorrow. Thanks for the call. Have a good night.

NeverAgain: You too and congrats again.

Subby: Thanks.

Subby gets off the phone and is grinning from ear to ear. "I'd better get to bed now 'cause it might take me a while to fall asleep..I'm so excited. Need to be fresh and alert tomorrow."


The letter that Subby wrote will be posted next. This is the letter that did it!!!

Here's the letter that got Subby in the door to meet Mr. DoingWell Trader:

Dear Mr. Trader,

I thank you for inviting me to be part of your search for trader talent. I consider it an opportunity of a lifetime. I have watched the movie you assigned for the take-home project, K*19 The Widowmaker, and have answered the questions, but I thought I should go into a little more detail about what I "saw" in the movie.

You asked me to find the character that I thought represented me, Subconscious, in the movie. I think that character was Comrad Polenin, the Executive Officer. Here is what started me thinking that way...

In the movie, there was a meeting with Captain Vostrikov in which he was speaking to all of the other executive officers under Comrad Polenin. The Captain made this statement in response to the crew's sub-standard performance during preliminary drills:

"It's not the men's fault; it's the officers' fault. You have failed to set high standards. If you do your job, they'll do theirs."

Without saying it, the statement reflected directly on the Executive Officer, Polenin, who was also at the meeting. As I played the movie the third time, I realized that Comrad Polenin, the Executive Officer, allowed "his guys" (the crew) to do whatever. They saw themselves as a family, and that he was their father. He did not keep them in check and gave in to their excuses and feelings way too much for them to be adequately prepared to accomplish anything significant. That was one of the reasons he was demoted and Vostrikov was sent.

Polenin himself had a major meltdown in front of the crew and abandoned his post because he thought the Captain was putting "his men" in jeopardy by ordering that the submarine be taken to crush depth. This is the next statement the Captain made that got my attention after Polenin walked away, leaving the Captain and the crew to launch the test missile according to the instructions from Moscow:

"I took this boat and these men to the edge because we need to know where it is. These one hundred and twenty men are a crew now because they achieved something together that they did not think they could do. Next time, when it is not a drill, they will go to the edge and past it and die if necessary, because that is what their duty demands of them."

It was obvious that Comrad Polenin did not agree with the Captain's style of leadership and "tolerated" the betrayal of one of the crew who finally pulled a gun on Captain Vostrikov. He also blamed the Captain and the nuclear reactor officer for its failure when the failure began under his slack leadership.

This is how I see it. I, Subconscious, am responsible for how I manage my crew of emotions. It is a tremendous responsibility. If I ever intend to achieve, then I must subject them to the logical and informed directives of the Captain (the conscious mind). I will have to learn to trust the Captain as he gives me the instructions of what I am to do, because he knows what will work best and what will not. That is his job: to give me credible input because once I am "programmed" I will produce according to what was put in; and do so in the blink of an eye.

I cannot tolerate indifference, laziness, greed, betrayal, fear...especially fear of loss, false hope, lack of preparation or anything that would hinder the achieving of the overall goal. This could be a major challenge for me as I can easily identify with my crew. I realize that I must discipline myself and my crew in every area for all of us to benefit from consistently profitable trading. If I accept any position to be trained as a trader, then I must also agree to keep my crew in check and train them well to carry out what is necessary. I realize that I too will be trained, even re-trained. It will not be easy at times, but if I endure the process and do my part, the goal will be realized.

Part of Captain Vostrikov's speech to the crew before leaving Moscow was enlightening:

"...You're nothing without me...and, I am nothing without you."

I, Subconscious realize the need for both to work together. I see now, clearer than ever before, my potential to make or break the team's outcome. I hope that I would be given the opportunity to take my place on the team. I want to help the team succeed and make some wonderful things happen. If the team wins, I also win.

Sincerely,



Subconscious Wonder

P.S. Running on emotions only, could get you run over (as it did to the ship's doctor).


After Subby meets with Mr. DoingWell Trader he will be given his first set of trading instructions.

Subby is still in shock that the meeting with Mr. DoingWell Trader is on.

Subby (thinking): "Wonder what we'll talk about? "Wonder how my relationship with NeverAgain will change, if at all?"

By this afternoon all those questions and more will be answered because Subby will have begun a new phase completely.

FX4

P.S. Once Subby's training begins, would like to hear your thoughts and get some feedback. Hope you all are getting something from this journey Subby has been on. We can discuss it later . Dot 7 will begin Subby's "official" trader training.

Subby got a call stating that the luncheon could be a bit earlier. Subby had started to prepare early enough so it was possible to make the adjustment. Subby is having brunch now with Mr. DoingWell Trader. They're meeting at a coffee shop across the street from the office.

Mr. Trader: Well Subby, I have to tell you, I was very impressed by the way in which you were able to have such an objective "diagnosis" of yourself by watching that movie. That told me alot about your perceptive abilities...being able to read between the lines so to speak.

Subby: Thank you sir. Just tried to get myself out of the way so I could see what was there.

Mr. Trader: Now that you're in, I just want to explain a little about what's coming next. Mr. MindOverMatter (NeverAgain) will be taking you through some trading sessions. I think you've done a little trading, haven't you?

Subby: Yes I have, but did not feel like I had a good system or that I understood myself well enough to be as successful as I believe I could be.

Mr. Trader: I too had that challenge when I first started. It took me some years to first put "my system" together then I had to work on me. I'm doing well, but I know I can do better. Subby, I want to see you succeed too and I want to do what I can to help you. I have shown NeverAgain a system (one of the few that I use) that he will teach you. I have been able to do well trading by myself but I think with your help I can do even better and I think will you too.

Subby: Wow Mr. Trader. I consider that a real honour.

Mr. Trader: There's something about you that just strikes me as genuine and trustworthy...I like that. Anyway, after our brunch here, you will be meeting with NeverAgain back at the office. He will show you the system and give you instructions. Any questions you have about the training please let him know. Anything else I'll be more than happy to help you with.

Subby: Okay. Thank you.

Mr. Trader: Would you like dessert?

Subby: No thanks, I've had enough already.

Mr. Trader: Alright. Maybe next time. By the way, this brunch was on me.

Subby: Thank you. You remind me of my dad in a way.

Mr. Trader: Many people say that about me. I just like helping people to be the best they can be. Okay Subby, NeverAgain should be back by now, so maybe you should head on over. It was such a pleasure meeting you and I truly am looking forward to working together with you.

Subby: Thank you sir. Same here. (as they stand and start walking away from the table)

Mr. Trader: Well Subby, enjoy the journey and don't be afraid to ask NeverAgain for help with any aspect your trading. That's what he's there to do.

Subby: Will do.

Subby crosses the street and heads back to the office. NeverAgain is in another meeting. Subby has a seat in the reception area.


Here is where Subby will receive the first set of instructions: a tested trading system. From there, the "real" training begins.

FX4

Subby is in the office now with NeverAgain.

NeverAgain: So how did you enjoy your brunch with DoingWell?

Subby: It was great. He is so approachable, just like my dad.

NeverAgain: Glad to hear it. It's a very important quality for a mentor to have.

NeverAgain: Okay, so our objective today is to get you familiar with one of DoingWell's trading systems. It is very simple and he believes it is a good way to get your trading reflexes going. Here is a description of how you are to set up your charts. Are you familiar with MT4?

Subby: Yes I am.

NeverAgain: Great. Now here is his system in detail. Everything has been spelled out. Please don't feel like he is trying to insult your intelligence because he's not. You should also be receiving a shipment this afternoon: 3, 22-inch monitors, a new PC, keyboard, mouse and speakers...a gift from DoingWell...no strings attached whatsoever. Oh, and he's also included a new trading desk and chair...comfort is important you know. Hope you've got room for it all.

Subby: As a matter of fact, I had just cleared one of my other rooms to set it up for trading. This is just so timely. Just unbelievable.

NeverAgain: Any questions about how you are to set up your charts and what you are to look for...your tells?

Subby: No questions, it's all very clear.

NeverAgain: Okay, your first trading assignment is to set up your screens and just begin to train your eyes to see what he sees...according to his explanation, then trade as soon as you see it, okay? Any problems call me. Oh, someone should be coming by next week to check on your internet from NoDroppedConnections Ltd.

Subby: Okay, will be on the look out for them.

NeverAgain: Well Subby, you're on your way. Expecting an important call. We'll chat again soon.

Subby: Best be going home now anyway, that delivery might be there shortly.

Subby heads home in time to receive the shipment. Tomorrow should be the first day of practising this new method.

We'll give Subby a few days to play with it and see how it works out.

FX4

Now that Subby is set and ready to go, would love to hear how, if at all, this journey has impacted you.

FX4

Mentor, Coach or both? Here are some basic differences:

Mentor: A process of selection is involved.
Coach: It's what they "must" do...it's their job.


Mentor: They are focused on the individual.
Coach: The focus for a coach is on performance.


Mentor: Concerned about all areas of life of the one being mentored.
Coach: Interested in how their performance is progressing and related issues.


Mentor: There to bounce things off of...person is "free" to choose their path.
Coach: May allow the person to select the "how" but the end result must be there.


Mentor: The mentoring relationship often becomes a mutually beneficial one.
Coach: It's usually about targeting the client to perform to best achieve the goal.

As a trader, you need to be both Mentor and Coach; Captain and Executive Officer; General and Commander. Knowing when to perform the required role is key to success.

FX4

These are the themes I saw in your posts #300-315 (quotes from these posts, liberally spaced between selections) :


courageous vs. stubborn
-----------------------------------
"proactive and prepared. Never know when something could come up.
. MindOverMatter.relaxed and comfortable feeling.NeverAgain. NOTE: Mind over Matter is an idiom that has the idea that the human mind is more powerful than the body and has the strength to influence any matter that it so desires"

vs.

"Subby:your parents are Diligent and Delightful Wonder and you have a brother..Stubborn Wonder? How did you get along with your brother?
Subby: We did not get along very well. He always wanted his own way, and that annoyed me. He was very closed minded...thought he knew everything and that he was always right. I guess he wanted to be in charge so he could control everything and everyone."
"INFJ {same as} Mr. DoingWell Trader. Your Risk Attitude Index was moderately high: between 75%-85%.
Now for your Well-Being Test. Your Solar Plexus Chakra was on the weak side; your Throat Chakra was closed (that I can understand given your relationship with your brother), but your Root Chakra was strong, which is not bad. The other four chakras were fine. So overall, just a few areas to focus on. Here are some more details on each.
coping mechanisms that I installed for dealing with my brother had such an effect on me."

free vs. enable
-------------------------
"{test on movie: }
1. Which character strengths weaknesses of that character?
4. What needed to succeed? think failed at any point in the movie? How did they resolve it?
You should be able to "see" it by the time the missile is launched."
--
"Subconscious, in the movie. I think {like} Comrad Polenin, the Executive Officer."You have failed to set high standards. If you do your job, they'll do theirs."
allowed "his guys" (the crew) to do whatever. They saw themselves as a family, and that he was their father.
Polenin himself had a major meltdown in front of the crew and abandoned his post because he thought the Captain was putting "his men" in jeopardy by ordering that the submarine be taken to crush depth.
...betrayal of one of the crew who finally pulled a gun on Captain Vostrikov.
....I cannot tolerate indifference, laziness, greed, betrayal, fear...especially fear of loss, false hope, lack of preparation or anything that would hinder the achieving of the overall goal.....discipline... trained, even re-trained.....If the team wins, I also win....."

vs.

"Mr. Trader: Alright. Maybe next time. By the way, this brunch was on me.
Subby: Thank you. You remind me of my dad in a way.
Mr. Trader: Many people say that about me. I just like helping people to be the best they can be. "

character vs. performance
-------------------------------------
"Mentor or Coach?
Mentor : individual....person is "free" to choose their path.
Coach: performance. May allow the person to select the "how" but the end result must be there."


Another idea in the posts, one I didn't capture fully above,
was that you can't merely notice your emotions and let them go.
You have to muster your own complete set of emotions that support a winning trade's scenario.
I've often wanted to do this, as I've noticed the need for one when, on the few occasions I have won resoundingly in the past and how I wrote my trade plan was not the key factor, I felt such a thing was necessary to be a good trader.

This is all VERY astute. Unfortunately , I doubt that it will benefit any trader or that any trader will gain much from it.
Some just like to waste their time in endless rhetoric. Much like a politician. Trading is not like politics. Either shit or get off the pot.

Yeah, there's two lines:
Profit/Loss
and
the Hard Right Edge

Most of life is b___ and easy to get wrapped up in.
Any way to guide oneself thru and past it to get to what you're referring to is appreciated.

Ha-Pattern,

Now this is one I had not seen...

free vs. enable

Gotta give that one some deeeeep thought...enabling behaviour. Most times we think of enabling others, but what about the things we do to enable ourselves? Yikes! Add the perception filters etc. and we have problems for sure.

I like the way you put this...

Another idea in the posts, one I didn't capture fully above,
was that you can't merely notice your emotions and let them go.
You have to muster your own complete set of emotions that support a winning trade's scenario.

Very, very true. Polenin did that alot I think...letting things go. Emotions are a critical factor in this process. Trading plans are great; trading methods/systems are necessary; but those emotions will have a trader trading in ways that are hazardous and sometimes even with the best plan and strategy. The idea...and let them go...'cause go they will, to do what feeds them best. If it's fear, do things to keep fear well fed. We make statements sometimes and don't think about what we're really saying. I'm sure we've all heard the term "emotional need". Well, emotions have "needs" that the subconscious will try to satisfy by doing what is necessary to feed them. Throwing that thought out, but I think there is some validity to it.

Yes!!! Each trader must have the set of emotions in place that support winning. So true. Unfortunately I don't think the majority of traders, especially new ones have gotten that message...yet. I could probably give them a system in two minutes that would work, but it would take their heart-mind months maybe years to make it work for them. Just recently spoke with someone who said that they knew a trader who would try a new system every two months or so. If they keep that up, do you know how long it would take them (not the system) to develop so they can be profitable?

Hope traders are getting some ideas on how they can improve that area of their trading arsenal. The heart-mind game is one area traders MUST win in order to become consistently profitable. Even if a trader uses a robot, and the trader is not in emotional control, they can shut it down when the risk gets scary for them emotionally...and some of these robots that "produce" astronomical returns do so using very high risk. But the detail behind that idea is for another thread...


character vs. performance...there is a distinction between them for sure.

Character and performance...the best of both worlds for lasting success.


As always...thought provoking . Thanks for sharing.

FX4

Was just thinking about the movie K*19 The Widowmaker...

Train harder than you expect to trade. Remember how Captain Vostrikov took the submarine to crush depth? By doing so, he also took all of the crew (including himself) and their emotions there as well. That was a very critical place for them to go and to begin the real learning process. If you don't take yourself there in your practice trading, how will you hold up when in the real situation? Practice trading can be done in a Live Account using very small positions. Demo Trading has only a certain level of impact on the emotions, but does provide important benefit so don't discard it. (Subby's first trading exercise is on a Demo Account).

If you plan to trade M30 because that is where you feel most comfortable, train on M15 or even M5 as well to sharpen your reflexes and help bring some of those emotions to the surface so you can feel them and have a chance to succeed at handling them. How would you know that the emotion has been successfully handled? When you no longer feel the sting of it in the trading situation. Case in point: yesterday I was not trading at the time when EurUsd was tanking. Someone else alerted me to the fact. I just looked at the chart. No biggie. It didn't occur to me until after a while that when I saw it, it didn't matter. I felt no excitement about missing out. Can't tell you exactly when that developed, but I knew when it was fixed.

To help sharpen skills, a trader can also use a software that allows playback of price action. Practise, practise, practise...train that mind and those emotions so you can optimize their performance. It doesn't just happen you know .

Position trading vs. swing trading vs. scalping...all use different emotional muscles. Haven't even added the impact of position sizes yet, but I think you see how a situation could snowball easily.

Best to be prepared and that could only be done ahead of the actual battle, because when in battle and under emotional pressure (stressful situations), we respond as we have been trained. Fight/flight responses, which are the body's natural self-defense mechanisms, need to be trained and conditioned for trading.

Hope that puts some emotional "meat" on the trading bone,

FX4