That’s a really good sign that you’re at stage when you’re realizing that psychology is holding you more back than TA, not many people get to thit stage.
Here is how psychology books (generally) fits into trading (there are always exceptions).
Beginning traders and those with small accounts (generally) can only appreciate the conscious execution of skills, and usually poopoo psychology.
It’s because they’re blind to their own blindness, and because if they blow their tiny account, it is easy to replenish.
Recommending psych book for them hardly ever works because most of them don’t believe in psychology, they just want to make a tonne of money.
The next category is “becoming traders”, they already have some personalized trading strategy, their skill is becoming more subconscious through repetition/practice and are developing the awareness of the importance of psychology.
If you’re in this category, then most of the psych books should provide at least some benefit. It really depends on what specific weaknesses you need to work on. (One warning though, don’t judge the books by Amazon ratings . . . not just psych books, but trading books in general))
Recommendations to consider:
Brett Steenbarger is very good, but I find his material bit all over the place, lacking flow, it kind of never stuck with me. But hey, it’s just my opinion, and it might work for you. Either way, you can’t go wrong with him.
Rande Howell is also very good, but very different from Steenbarger. I guess it really depends on what you need to work on.
https://tradersstateofmind.com/
(There are many others good psych books, and there are amny that suck)
The next level are the more advanced traders who have the ability trade, they don’t mind changing market environment, they have unconscious competence, they trade larger accounts and need to be humble and drop their egos, their focus is not on P&L but rather on execution and self-mastery, and therefore they fully understand the importance of psychology.
For this category I’d recommend psych books which are usually more focussed on peak performance trading:
Steve Ward’s books such as “Bulletproof Trader”
https://performanceedgeconsulting.co.uk/about-steve/
Jared Tendler is very good with helping to overcome tilt (I haven’t read the book, but I went through his course)
https://jaredtendler.com/about-jared/
If you’re committed to becoming a professional trader (i.e. your only source of income through trading), then I’d highly recommend buying and studing “Peak Performance Home Study for Traders and Investors” by Van K. Tharp.
https://www.vantharp.com/peak-performance-homestudy
I have both the old and the updated versions of this course, and it was probably the best money I’ve spent on trading. It takes many months to work through it, it turned my trading around.
Warning: Do not judge Van Tharp by his free youtube videos, A) they’re free B) it can take you down the rabbit hole C) his free youtube stuff has nothing to do with his paid course. I was aware of Van Tharp for years but I was avoiding his material because people were poo pooing his stuff, and then I decided to give it and try, and his Peak Performance Course turned my trading around. I then took few of his expensive programs which actually turned my whole life.
If you have no issues with discipline, then you can sample Steve Ward for free if he resonates with you, then you can buy his books.
Steve Ward also has very good “Trader’s Mind Journal” which I’d highly recommend to everyone to buy and start using.
