Trading Lessons From The Gridiron
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Watching the Super Bowl, I couldn't help but think how football is similar
with trading. Not only similar but offers an opportunity to learn
something from the gridiron that can aid you in changing your thought
process and how you approach trading in general.
Before players even step on the field, they have spent years working through the
basics. Even though they were itching for the big
stage, pro's had to wait until they were ready to compete at the highest levels.
The good thing is that there is someone else that gives them the nod.
They will only compete at the highest levels if someone is willing to take a
risk on them.
With traders, far too many think they are ready and promptly end up on the
losing side of the career.
There is nobody to stop them and ask them:
1. Have you been able to execute 25 plus trades without a mistake? 2. Do you fully understand risk and how to manage your positions/exposure? 3. Are you fully aware of the psychological factors that can take a skilled trader and turn them into road kill? Let's head to game day.
In the locker room, players get into the zone while reviewing the plays that may
unfold during the game. The zone is where they clear everything unrelated to the task at hand and the focus is directly on what
they are about to do.
The time before your actual trading session is an important time.
This is where you must focus on the upcoming task and laser focus your attention to the trading business.
1. Have you checked for any pending news releases that may impact your trading? 2. Have your reviewed overnight and prior days price action for any structure clues? 3. Have you gone through your trade plan so you hammer home exactly what constitutes setups and triggers?
When the game begins, players only know that they will compete at the
highest level of their skill. The outcome is unknown but what is
known is that every shift will have each player committing 100% to
execute the plays called out by the QB.
When your trading setups begin, you don't know if the outcome is a win or a
loss. What you do know is you must strive for 100% effort in following the
plans you have laid out for your trading business.
Failure to act on a setup could result in missing a trade that may have been in
the win column.
You want to ingrain the habit of execution when called for without
second guessing what you are doing.
What you also know is that without the QB, there is no game.
For traders, their QB is their trading
account. Protecting that should be the main focus because without your
account, your business is bankrupt.
During the game, the goal is to work down the field towards the goal line
following plays laid out by the coaching staff. Yard by yard, players battle it out trying to gain yardage to
either gain a touchdown or get in range for a field goal.
It can be a grind but they know that short quick plays reduce the risk of an
interception.
When trading, you have certain setups for certain market conditions.
Your job is to execute the plays when the setups show themselves. You have
faith that over time, these plays will add up to a healthy income from your
trading business.
Trade after trade, you top up your account with wins that allows for
bigger position sizing which allows for a bigger income.
Sometimes though, a massive risk takes place on the field....
the Hail Mary.
The QB spots a player alone in the endzone. With all the juice he can muster, he aims at the player and
throws the ball. Soaring through the air, the opposing team has a chance to regroup because they can see what is
in play.
If the player catches the ball, it was a great play.
If the ball is intercepted, everything
from a turnover to an opposing team unleashing a 100 yard run for a
touchdown takes place.
In trading, think of that as the "sure winner" where you throw out a
conservative risk profile and put up far too much in capital on one trade.
If it pays off, you escaped danger.
If it loses, you have put yourself in a much bigger financial hole then you would have if you kept to the plan.
The Hail Mary trade is a huge risk and many times can be a game changer.
In football, the team can always try to
recover the points.
In trading, once your capital is gone, so are you.
You can see that the mindset and actions of a trader often mimics those of professionals that are at the top of their game. Skill and mindset are the hallmark of professionals of almost all
careers and is often the difference between success and failure.
If I could have a sit down with each person entering the trading world, I
would always tell them to approach it like a professional or don't approach it
at all.
Take a lesson from those who are at the top of their game in any other
career. There are common traits that they all share that allowed them to succeed
where others have fallen.
You owe it to yourself to think hard at what traits makes a success.
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