Overcoming Pessimism And Negativity

Colin Wilson's insight is that we approach life as a spectator, not realizing that we are the ones in the control room.  We experience pessimism when we believe we have little control over the important outcomes in our lives.  If you examine successful people, you find they structure their time in ways that give them that sense of control.  This is one reason living by goals and plans is so important.  Only dead things go with the flow.  Our job is to guide our lives.  That means being in the control room.

Wilson also recognized that we tap a small portion of our potentials.  This is partly because we tend to lead constricted lives.  Think of our emotional states and how rarely we experience true unbridled joy, profound fulfillment, or even deep and heartfelt regret.  Consider our physical states and how rarely we operate in modes that could bring us to our second wind.  Reflect upon our intellectual states and how rarely we truly challenge ourselves with new ideas and challenges.

Constriction of life lays the groundwork for pessimism.  It is difficult to remain negative if we experience varied emotional, physical, and intellectual lives.

Will you ever reach your true potential if you are planning, reviewing, and working on your trading while leading an unexamined, constricted life? If each day is an opportunity to stretch ourselves emotionally, physically, and intellectually, each day becomes an adventure--a journey into unexplored territory.  Pessimism most often results when life is routine and we no longer experience fresh, shining vistas.

Further Reading:

Why Emotions Are Key To Trading

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