How You Know You're Trading Well

 

8/12/2025 - The quote from Rolf at Tradeciety captures an important dynamic.  The need to make money keeps us focused on short-term performance.  A desire for mastery keeps us focused on longer-term growth.  We know we're trading well when we are actively studying our performance as well as markets, taking away some learning--some important lessons--each day.  Here's a great psychological test:  If trading exhausts you, you know that you're a victim of the ups and downs of P/L and the need to make money.  If trading inspires you, you know that you're tapped into your growth as a trader.  Traders in professional settings are typically organized in teams, and they typically reach beyond their teams to connect with others, share views, and engage in mutual learning and development.  Great trading gives us energy.  Great trading processes immerse us in what we do well and what is meaningful to us.  We know we're trading well when trading is a platform for developing the best of who we are.