Great post Momo!
I wrote this a long time ago... same concept
THE $100 BILL
Soldiers wishing to join the Special Forces go through unbelievable physical and mental hardships as they try to prove they have what it takes to be one of the worldâs elite warriors. Those who succeed are true warriors, fighting in small task forces, and conducting their campaigns/waging their wars on a very personal level. Trading is economic warfare on a very personal level, and traders go through a lot of similer experiences as they fight their way through the learning curve hoping to count themselves among the few consistently profitable traders. Soldiers go through exercises designed to break down certain mental responses and thought processes detrimental to performance. Traders need to also break down and change certain mental processes.
Try this exercise. Take a $100 bill and throw it out a convenient window. Sit down in a quiet place by yourself and wait 15 minutes. After this time has elapsed, you may go outside and retrieve the bill. What thoughts are running through your mind as you sit? You are probably feeling foolish for doing this in the first place, and are trying to remember if there was any wind outside. Thoughts flit through your mind.
I could just run out and get itâ¦
But Iâm supposed to sit here for 15 minutesâ¦
I donât know this author from Adamâ¦What does HE know? I just read about this stupid exercise, the author canât make me do anything!
It IS windy out there, I knew itâ¦
Iâm not going to be able to find that billâ¦
What was I thinking?
Iâm going to lose $100â¦
I make $X an hour, it is going to take me how many %#$& hours to make that $100 back?
Iâm going to lose $100â¦
Iâm going to lose $100â¦
Iâm going to lose $100â¦
I AM GOING TO LOSE ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS!!!
These are some of the same destructive thoughts that go through your mind as you initiate, and manage your trades. They are counter productive and must be controlled and eliminated. Instead, what if the following were your reaction to the $100 exercise.
It is mid day, the area outside my window is quiet, no one is about. There is a bit of wind, so I may have to hunt a little. I routinely risk $500 or more as I trade, so if this exercise improves my trading substantially, it will be a 5 to 1 or richer risk reward endeavor. Nobody forced me to take this action, I am in total control at all times. But, bottom line⦠If for any reason I was unwilling to risk my C note, I would not have thrown it out the window! A controlled, emotionless, style is one that every trader must cultivate.
-Bo