[walterw]

Hi doc... I have a question to make you, there is no hurry at all for your response, thanks for still being here even thought some criticism... (there still people that we feel very honored to have you here ).

Something happens to me ( a reaction ) when I finally understand something ( normally on the technicall area )...

When I dont know something I consider it dificult to me... once I understand it, it is the most easy and silly thing... so here comes my reaction : "What a stupid felllow, how couldnt you understand before (some years ago ) such an easy thing"

The fact is that it wasnt easy untill I understand it... but I tend to be very exigent with myself, and sometimes I feel guilty (could had done much more before), left brained and so on...

Its funny, but I consider myself actually succesfull, but sometimes guilty off not making this success happen before...

I would like to find a way to be more in peace with myself on this issue...



I expect your feedback doc.... cheers Walter.

[TinGull]

Hey Walter,

This happened to me today. SO much stuff all of the sudden became clear like it had never done so before. Instead of thinking backwards and saying...why didn't I know this sooner??? I look forwards and say...I can't wait to use this from now on!!

There's absolutely no point in looking backwards. What's happened has happened. It's tough to do at first...I struggle with it every day. But, is there a point in thinking about changing the past? Not one at all, so why waste the energy on it when you can think about the future?

The steps Im going through right now to do this are:

Waking up every morning telling myself what a wonderful day it is to be a trader.

I go downstairs, have breakfast and think...what will happen today? What will I learn to make me better?

I go to the garden and tend to my veggies and flowers, and think...I can't wait to get back to the markets and use some of my knowledge.

Notice...all this, I'm always looking forward. I try really hard not to think backwards on anything! Like...for instance, in my garden I've got some carrots that aren't coming up like I want them to. For me, I want to look back far enough to think...why is this happening? I figure I must have planted them too deep in the soil. Awesome! Learned something to use for next year. Will I go back to the garden every day until next year thinking...crap, why didnt I plant those carrots closer to the top of the soil? No, I'm gonna try my hardest not to. Im sure the thought will creep into my mind, but then I'll think...."but look at those tomatoes! I did that spot on!"

So, realize that you needed some time to learn something, but you've learned it! Thats the important piece to the puzzle. Don't look back, only look forward because you can't change the past, but can certainly make your future paths more enjoyable. We all want to enjoy life, right?

[thetradingdoctor]

Thanks for the great question and response. This is about learning and being patient with ourselves. There are many times when we have to spend hours, days or years until we actually learn something. We may have an idea about what it is. We may have no idea about what it is. The crux of this is that it takes time to learn certain things and certain other things we just "get" almost immediately. It has to do with the way that our brains are hardwired. Do not fight against this, rather try to accept it as a reality. Also, please do not be hard on yourself for not "getting" it sooner. The most important thing is that you are on a learning curve. Some stuff will come easy for you and other stuff will not. If you continue to be positive and apply yourself, learn and study a little more every day, things will fall into place for you. Some of the greatest discoveries in history have come from years of trial and error and then "appeared" in a dream or dream-like state. What was really going on was the the brain was processing all of those years of information and trying to make sense of them. When it finally did, it came in a dream!


There is a rhythm to life and to learning. It is wonderful when the "eureka" appears. What is to be gained by going back and feeling bad that you did not understand it more quickly? I think it is better to stand in the light of your new-found knowledge and be in gratitutude that you were given the time to discover it.

I hope this helps a little..

Thanks!

Janice

[Dogpile]

"I only had to make the same mistake about 100 times before I learned. I didn't learn from making the same mistakes just twice. It can take repeated bashing of the head for something to sink into the skull."

'Market Wizard' Linda Rashke
Active Trader Magazine
October 2006

[walterw]

Very encouraging words Tin and Doc... thanks really...

I think yes its no bussiness to look backwards... sometimes I am tempted to do this, now what I notice that it is very related to some stress I am going thru on my private life, not much related to trading...

And yes¡¡ I have to be happy for my achieved eurekas ¡¡... thanks again for your valuable inputs... on this isolated profession it is so nice to hear some encouraging words...

So Tin you do some gardening... I asume that might be relaxing, cheers Walter.

[TinGull]

Ah yes, I do garden. I've got a decent sized garden at my community garden spot where I've got enough veggies growing for me and my girlfriend to eat for the rest of summer and fall.

[BlowFish]

I cant help wondering if it is difficult to learn things because of limiting beliefs. I am looking forward to reading the Carol Dwek book. A friend recommended it before I saw it reviewed here. From what I understand here main premise is that fixed mindsets (akin to limiting beliefs I guess) is what holds us back and that ...err...I think she calls them 'growth mindsets' allow great things. Forgive me I haven't read it yet.

Anyway look forward to the next Ahha moment and enjoy working towards that :-)

It would be interesting to know if something did change in your thinking that allowed you to 'get it'?

[Soultrader]

I think our minds initial reaction to knowledge that conflicts with our belief system is to deny it. An elderly person once told me "that no matter how boring a conversation, there is a chance that out of 1,000 lines you might find one that can change your life for the better. So always listen."

For me, many new insights have come from trigger words from converstations with different people. Certain phrases or concepts spark an instant interest in my mind. I then get creative with the idea.

I think as much as we constantly like to expand our knowledge and view of the world, we are limited to what we know. Which is why I enjoy talking about business and trading frequently with my friends. Whether its positive feedback or concrete critiscm, I view it all as a positive experience.