Now that some non-sense rumours have been dealt with, let's keep going with the spirituality for "plan the trader". I have came across quiet a few well-trained and well-accomplished professionals volunteers. I was mostly shocked that some worked on major car manufacturers bankrupcies at the time... and what surprised me was "the only thing I can say I achieved in my professional life was saving this company 300millions". Yup. I had to ask if they took a cut for themselves for such an achievement. . I liked the answer "I was extremely well paid and got a bumper bonus straight to my 401K". I don't know if the ensueing conversation about abundance played a role : next day all the well accomplished pros were all happily making a full american style dinner from scratch for the whole house". . We all demonstrated a full appreciation of their culinary efforts by doing a full honor to the plates and saucepans! <iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jxuhST0JNro?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
what was important : - the effort in preparation. They put in massive efforts, but were happy to do it. So I'd be very happy to come to a point where I get thrilled DURING the process of making the preparation, not just when I finish the preparation. I guess this is where my "plan the trader" is weak. This part does not feel 'warm and agreable'. - they really did not care about the end result : they were following their recept plan, and did not worry about the outcome. I think if I can get the prep done properly, then I will have no worries during the trading ( aka pressing buttons, monitoring trades). - because they put so much energy and efforts, we just appreciated the meal because of the care they put into it ( one person spent the whole day cutting onions! talk about menial stuff). the preparation in my "plan the trader" needs to demonstrate that I cared about every detail, and also that I enjoy putting in efforts during the preparation. So this is what I will be trying to sort : how to make the preparation as pleasurable, enjoyable as possible.
Today, all the US Peace Corps are moving to their "countryside" places of 'accomplishments'. So things are going to be quiet at their office. This was a very good eye opener. I wish more Western countries had this type of 2-3 years schemes. Now, for "plan the trader" : - I guess putting a 5 minutes of physical exercise say every 1.30hrs will allow to "oxygenate" the brain and give it some rest. I have yet to test of the effectiveness of this. I am now realising that 2-4 hours of nonstop preparation was not a good way to make it an agreable activity.
Starting to test by "plan the trader" : obviously the early rising and vigorous jogging and exercises for some reasons do clear the mind, and make the trading easier in the morning. The key really is now to find what I can do to make the trading preparation easy, agreable and joyful. . Interesting that the coach is concentrating on taking the most difficult part of my trading process, and gettting me to search/test ways to make it easy, agreable and joyful.
This "plan the trader" is making me realise some basic principles : phases for the mind/body/spirit to rest, to be active, to be "bored" -aka impatient, to be "overstimulated",... and these phases are very normal, and nothing to worry about as I did. Simple normal mind/body/spirit phases. Now obviously, putting in one good hour or meditation ( aka standing still and not thinking of anything) , is a good contrasting activity for the afternoon before getting into prep or trading. Compared to meditation, there will be no boredom when doing prep. "plan the trader" is much more difficult than planning the trading. Never thought I'd experience that! Now, I understand better how simpleton traders have a real advantage : they are lucky , as they have very good intuitive understanding of healthy mindsets (psychology/spirituality) .
May be these first tests are not reliable, as it is just one day. And certainly after 6 months, it will look different. Anyway : the early physical exercises + the mid-day one hour meditation session to cut the trading day, made the trading much much much more easier. So we are finding ways to make it easy, agreable and joyful. Any programming and backtesting will now have to be outsourced as well. So will be checking some cheap overseas people able and willing to work. Place quiet here as all the US Peace Corps finished their "trainings" and " meeetings" and have been dispatched back to their villages and small town. Interesting to hear from one reeturnee - his placement was cut short in "...stan" country as soon as the US closed their ambassy! . Talk about some real life lessons about geopolitics! lol. For some reasons he did not miss the non-running water, and all that implied. What he learned : how spoiled we are in the West. Effectively, having a mum complaining that she had to open her door by hand , instead of using a telecommand looked like , how did he say. ... . A real experience. It was alwo interesting to discuss with the journalist met yesterday during their local political demonstrations. She saved one wounded policeman during the fight that erupted in their parlement. Some people takes political disagreements very seriously indeed. I am also glad to realise that quiet a few projects can be implemented in a very economical way. This US Peace Corps have made me realise that a project does not need tonnnnnssss of money to be implemented. The key is having a well thought out plan. "Thinking is the hardest job someone said. It is as if everything is falling into place in a very natural way. <iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ysARJIJg0W4?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Obviously, I am realising that the early exercises and mid-day meditation is making my days easier. From ET forum, looks like including every 2 hours , some really short meditation ( 10 minutes) max, can help. So modifying my 'plan the trader' to include this as well, for next week test. Physically, it is much easier. Mentally, the travelling is definitively helping. .
your goal of 10 minute meditation is not ambitious enough. look to accomplish goals in less time and perhaps meditate more often.