There are many stock traders who make trading their sole occupation.

Some go on to make just enough to live on, some a very comfortable living and some make a real fortune.

Others go back to their old job, frustrated and fearful of ever doing anything different and giving up on their dreams of the life they really want to live.

Here is a story about a man……

Bill has a job as a plumber.

He is so tired of crawling under houses and the often ridiculous demands of his boss. Marion, his wife of 28 years is tired of his long hours and the grumpy husband who slumps in his chair in front of the television at night. She often asks herself how much longer can she continue to listen to Bill’s pipe dreams of the boat he would like, the family holidays he is always talking about, the better life he craves.

Fascination for numbers and research has always inspired Bill and he has often thought about investigating the stock market. One morning while eating his cereal during his usual morning routine, a flash of panic pulsed through his body. At 56, he felt that his life was basically over. It was too late to do anything differently and he would be stuck in this rut for the rest of his days.

If he had a chance to try something to change his life for the better, it had to be now.

During the course of that day, the subject of stock market kept coming up. Her noticed the CNN reports on Television. He overheard conversation at a customers house. A marketing phone call from an investment company was the final signal that made him realize that his answer to a better life was connected to his fascination with the stock market.

That evening he signed up for a course to learn as much as he could about the stock market.

Fascination turned to passion and Bill was excited by what was happening for him now. He rushed home every evening to learn as much as he could and started to paper trade. He deemed that the market was ‘kind’ to him and profits started to come fairly easily. He had a few small losses but he knew this was the name of the game.

He got excited! He could at last see in his mind, his dreams becoming very real. He thought that he could replace his salary with trading profits.

Consider this scenario

Two months on, that job was now just a memory and he was spending his days talking to boat yards about the perfect boat and catching up on all the things he had been putting off. Marion was checking out holiday packages.

Life was good!

Then, the bull market that had been in place for some time suddenly turned. Volatility was high and even seasoned traders had to put things in place to ensure they stayed on track.

Bill lost half of his trading account in a matter of days.

Those carefree days were now days filled with stress and frenzied emotions. Perching in front of his computer screen was now a chore and he did that most of the day as he watched the market ‘fire it’s bullets.’ The knot in his stomach and the tightness in his chest, constant companions.

He continued to trade and because he was trading under duress, even more losses were accumulating. He started to make really poor decisions. The cloud was about to let the rain pour down with the reality what had never really considered.

The overwhelming thought was ‘This was all too hard, I am a useless trader and I am about to lose all our savings’

Bill returned to his old job and gave up on his dreams.

Now, consider THIS scenario

Two months on Bill had now established a trading plan. A plan that was developed from good research and trusted teachers. His chosen strategy suited his personality and lifestyle. Back testing had proven that this was a simple strategy that would work. The majority of his trades were still paper trades and he had taken some small positions using real money. He knew that focus and discipline would need to be his constant companions.

Everything was working as he had expected and he continued to learn and trade whilst still in his job. Even though the job was not ideal, he felt better about it than he had in months. In fact, Marion had noticed a definite shift in his attitude and demeanor.

Then, the bull market that had been in place for some time suddenly turned. Volatility was high and even seasoned traders had to put things in place to ensure they stayed on track.

This was scary for Bill but basically he stuck to his plan. Losses and profits altered their ratios. Discipline and focus were sometimes out playing somewhere else. During this time he noticed things about himself and his emotions that could have an impact on his trading.

Everything was okay but new he needed help to work on some of his beliefs and any potential to self sabotage.

A mindset coach and new tools helped him with those limiting beliefs and his ability to stay focused and disciplined through any conditions. He new that this was the area that he would always need to work on if he was to be the master trader he really wanted to be.

2 years on Bill has just finished at Pete’s Plumbing. He is not at his desk or even at home. He is pulling up another fish from the back of his much loved 50 ft launch. Marion is home though, on the phone talking to the travel agent and finalizing the details of their upcoming trip to France.

Life is fantastic. Dreams do happen.

Karen Oates is a seasoned options trader and mindset coach who excels at helping traders understand themselves and the stock market by using a ‘keep it simple’ trading plan and the mind tools of success through mastery of mindset, focus, behaviors, beliefs and strategies.

Karen is certified as a:
Master NLP Practitioner
Master Results Coach
Performance Consultant
Specializing in Advanced Subconscious Reprogramming and Master Hypnosis

Check out how you can use the best tools and techniques to become the successful trader you want to be!
http://www.outofmymindtrading.com

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