8/24/2025 - The challenge for the individual, independent trader is to create their own "team": to connect with serious traders whose strengths differ from one's own. So, for instance, I might be strong in researching market patterns, but someone else might display their strength in how they express trades or in how they maximize reward relative to risk. By networking with others, we create the possibility of virtual teams, in which each member can make the others better. Indeed, this can begin by simply pairing up with just one like-minded, motivated trader who can benefit from your strengths and who can share their own.
Imagine reviewing each day's trading in detail with just one other dedicated teammate. Their lessons each day teach you; yours teach them. They help you extract learning from your mistakes and you do the same with them. You increase the learning, you increase the engagement, you create a source of motivation that keeps you going during lean times. We further our own development by participating in the development of others. The solutions to our trading challenges are found in the strengths of those with learn with.
8/22/2025 - A major shortcoming of almost all coaching of professional traders is that it is conducted individually, not within the teams that they are part of. The solution-focused framework described below is just as applicable to teams as to individuals--and often more so.
Consider the possibility that the changes you want/need to make as a trader have already been made by someone on your team. Suppose each team member already has a strength that you need to develop and that you have strengths that would benefit each team member.
Now the goal of coaching is to be solution-focused within teams: Find the exceptions to your problem patterns within the trading of one or more team members and make a concerted effort to model them. Similarly, when you display a strength needed by a team member, you help that trader do more of what you're already doing well.
A good team is a combination of strengths and a community of traders that strengthen each other. The trader you want to become is already present in some measure within your team. This is a very important reason to not attempt to learn to trade in isolation. All performance activities, in sports and in the arts, are learned through modeling and teamwork.
8/21/2025 - The solution-focused paradigm is perhaps the most powerful framework for improving our trading because it naturally builds upon what we already do well.
The framework is this:
Find exceptions to your problem patterns: occasions in which your problems do not occur or occur at a much smaller scale.
When your problems aren't occurring, that is when you're doing something right.
Study what you're doing when you aren't having your problem, consider that as a possible best practice, and look to expand upon it.
For instance, one of my problems might be to take profits too early in a market move. When I don't take profits early, it's because I have grounded myself in a longer timeframe perspective and have consciously identified a bigger picture target. My confidence in the bigger picture idea, often anchored by research, outweighs the fear of losing my profit.
The exception to my problem pattern reveals a strength.
We develop as traders, not by focusing on our problems and negative emotions/patterns, but by identifying what we do when we make money and consciously "do more of what works".
Further Reading:
Becoming Solution-Focused in Our Trading
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