ForexSpirit

Having a quiet two weeks of trading to start the year might not seem like the greatest thing in the world. On the face it isn’t really. What I am most content about is the mental attitude during that time frame.

I think the core tenant in this slight shift of thought and outlook comes from a phrase that I’ve already mentioned not that long ago. I’m never going to find a trading edge in a trading strategy or methodology. It’s not lurking amongst a bunch of indicators or in the money management techniques I follow. There is no secret to unlocking a fabled holy grail system. It really is just this simple:

I am the edge.

The outcome of this realisation is most likely different for every trader, for all of us are unique in our own ways.

For me it has manifested so far in beefing up my belief in my own abilities. Here’s how I’ve phrased the messages to my unconscious that I recite as part of my daily meditation:

I am a professional trader who is consistent, profitable and patient.

As a professional trader I follow my trading plan. I am flexible in all things and abhor rigidity. I am fast and aggressive in my attacks. I am patient and nimble in my rescues.

As a professional trader I know that losses are inevitable but they are also avoidable.

As a professional trader I trade one currency in one direction. I choose that direction based on limited and focused fundamental, technical and sentiment analysis as well as communication with Infinite Intelligence.

As a professional trader I generate a positive return on my account equity of one percent a day. Today I will make one percent.

I no longer have a lurking fear that I could sabotage myself and lose it all at any given moment. I see myself being able to weather any storm and tackle any challenge no matter the circumstances. My inner demons and scorpions are still there but I am not afraid of them any more. I have absolute confidence that I can squash them if they raise their ugly heads, well before they pose any significant threat.

I have traded eight days so far this year and have been positive all eight so far. While this is certainly a small sample size at least things are moving in the right direction!

My (compounded) return for those eight days is 8.4%.

Each day I also rate myself on a scale of one to ten as to how mentally fit I feel for trading that day. Today I only rated myself a 4 due to a head cold that makes me feel like a helium balloon. I’m obviously in no shape to make proper trading decisions so I’ve taken the day off. It also helped that the markets were going to be very light and slow today due to the celebrations of Martin Luther King Day here in the States.

While there is a lot of upheaval in other areas of my life right now (which obviously results in some additional stress) I’m actually pretty surprised as to how positive, forward looking and hopeful I am about the coming year.

I see the fires of life forging a new core and framework that will stand me in good steed for years to come.