Winning with energy!

Did you ever read about or hear someone talk about energy (about people or events giving you energy and people or events taking your energy away? Well, energy for a trader is very important. In fact, energy is vital for peak performance. Without energy a trader finds it difficult to feel, to see and to hear the whispers of available information. For a trader to be successful the brain needs to be rested. The brain is like a muscle; to work effectively it must be in a state of relaxation (calm). Thus, for the brain to receive all the significant stimuli, it must be in a tranquil and confident state. If you are a sports fan, think about how and why some performers are better than others at critical times. The “Big Dogs” know how to relax to accomplish the task. My point in sharing this information is to let traders know that when they are without energy, have a cluttered mind, it is very dangerous to trade. When one is without energy, lethargy sets in. Lethargy is represented by the Dark Knight (the ego, the voice of distraction within). The ego’s delight is to get the trader into a state of anger or panic. Thus, the trader is encouraged, baited, tempted, to do something out of the ordinary i.e. to trade a 50 lot when the trader is a 5 lot trader. Without energy, it is impossible to challenge the dark knight of the brain. When lethargy kicks in, the trader losses are inevitable. So, if the trader has had an argument with a spouse, someone cared about is ill in the family, or any adverse event has caused the trader disappointment or stress, the trader must be wary. Remember a trader does not have to work everyday. So, if you, the trader, is not feeling strong, you should not trade. I know, all winning traders enjoy the challenge of the day, so they want to come to work. I know all winning traders enjoy the camaraderie of the environment. And I know, all winning traders just plain enjoy making money, doing what they want to do. Also, I know it is hard not to trade when the market is open for business. However, great trading, good trading revolves around not only knowing the market but knowing oneself. To be a champion trader one must first know oneself. Knowing yourself involves examining your thoughts and examining just how you feel each and every day. How else do you know whether or not you are ready to compete? How do you know how you feel? Ask yourself and listen to the answer……. Some days it pays to stay away from trading. Depending on the extent of the depletion of the trader’s energy, the trader may have to stay away for an extended period of time to regenerate his or her energy. Playing the game, when one should not play, may cause the trader to be seriously injured (lose more money than desired)! Note: When a trader recognizes that his/her fuse is short, it is a good time to take a break. It makes no sense to let the "Dark Knight" (your emotional state) control your decision making. The Dark Knight’s goal is to place you, the trader, in a self destructive mode. Maintaining a high energy level keeps the “Dark Knight” on the side line.