Forgive me if I offer a contrarian opinion, a minority report. Of the many trading/psych books that range (or rage) from interesting to insightful to profound, I have yet to find a favorite. This because no amount of cool information or new insight has ever really changed my psychology ie, inner life and thus my trading bottom line or satisfaction. What “works” for one person doesn’t necessarily phase another, but I would genuinely be interested in hearing from others an example of a specific psychological insight that changed their results as a trader. (Here I would define “results” as profitability along with satisfaction at sticking to one’s rules or strategy.) The one thing that has proven “true” for me, and I wish I could remember who said this, “the best thing to improve your psychology is consistent profitability, when you are making money who needs psychology?” Yes, that can be a chicken vs egg puzzle: do I have to fix my psychology to be more profitable or can I fix my “psychology” ie my experience of being a trader, by learning and mastering effective rules or strategy? Every trader who has survived thus far knows it’s a journey, a process.
The thing that helped me the most came from a movie. The Wolf of Wallstreet, “The only thing standing between you and your goal is some bullshit story you keep telling yourself as to why you can’t succeed”.
Secrets for Profiting in Bull and Bear Markets by Stan Weinstein
Trading for a Living – Dr. Alexander Elder
Mindful Trader by Rande Howell
Forgive me if I offer a contrarian opinion, a minority report. Of the many trading/psych books that range (or rage) from interesting to insightful to profound, I have yet to find a favorite. This because no amount of cool information or new insight has ever really changed my psychology ie, inner life and thus my trading bottom line or satisfaction. What “works” for one person doesn’t necessarily phase another, but I would genuinely be interested in hearing from others an example of a specific psychological insight that changed their results as a trader. (Here I would define “results” as profitability along with satisfaction at sticking to one’s rules or strategy.) The one thing that has proven “true” for me, and I wish I could remember who said this, “the best thing to improve your psychology is consistent profitability, when you are making money who needs psychology?” Yes, that can be a chicken vs egg puzzle: do I have to fix my psychology to be more profitable or can I fix my “psychology” ie my experience of being a trader, by learning and mastering effective rules or strategy? Every trader who has survived thus far knows it’s a journey, a process.
Well stated, Rob!
I really liked Reminiscences of a Stock Operator
Trading in the Zone by Mark Douglas is my favorite by far.
The thing that helped me the most came from a movie. The Wolf of Wallstreet, “The only thing standing between you and your goal is some bullshit story you keep telling yourself as to why you can’t succeed”.
Yes! It’s so true!