Trading Composure

Preface ix

Foreword xv

Chapter 1: From Zero to Hero 1

Modest Origins 1

Almost Within Grasp, Yet Elusive 7

Rock Bottom 10

My Journey to Composure 14

A Three-Pillar Approach to Composure 23

Pillar One: Grasping and Welcoming Uncertainty 27

Pillar Two: Fostering a Resilient Emotional Core 29

Pillar Three: The Accountability Factor 31

Chapter 2: Pillar One: Grasping and Welcoming Uncertainty 35

Uncertainty: The Name of the Game 35

Unpacking Uncertainty 39

Uncertainty in the Market 42

Time Frame’s Impact on Predictability 51

The Predictive Value of Price Patterns and Formations 53

The Pathway to Profitability Amidst Uncertainty 59

Making Peace with Uncertainty: The F.A.C.E Principle 64

F: Fully Embracing Reality 67

A: Appreciating the Statistical Nature of Trading 72

C: Centering on Survival 77

E: Easing Off the Prediction Paradigm 81

Random or Not: That Is the Question 88

Chapter 3: Pillar Two: Fostering a Resilient Emotional Core 93

Composure Amidst Uncertainty 93

A Journey of the Mind 98

The Self-Reorganizing Nature of the Mind 103

Where You Are, There You Are 109

Looking Within or Beyond—A Time for Both 111

Sustaining Composure Through S.T.A.Y 115

S: Start and End Your Day with Meditation 117

T: Take Time for Self-Reflection 121

A: Active Acceptance of Uncertainty 123

Y: Yield to the Trading Process 125

Perspective Through and Through 132

Chapter 4: The Accountability Factor 137

The Institutional Trader’s Edge 137

The DIY Method: Good or Bad? 142

Staying Consistent with A.C.T. 146

A: Acknowledge Progress and Setbacks 147

C: Commitment to the Journey 149

T: Take Full Ownership 151

Chapter 5: Parting Thoughts 155

Takeaways 155

Leveraging Your Strengths 164

Closer Than You Think 166

Acknowledgments 171

References 173

Index 175