Nobody in my life understands. I have invested over 20,000 hours and seven years into this project. Working for myself, trading and traveling is my dream. But when I attempt to talk to even my best friend about it I get such negative commentary. Can anyone relate?
Show them your brokerage statements when you consistently profitable....then perhaps they will "understand".
People get tired of hearing it and even worse if you succeed, I believe most people don't want you to do better than them.
The truth is they have no idea what the hell they’re talking about. They just think it’s gambling. The people I’m talking about, my sister, my best friend, another close friend don’t even invest and have no clue. But they’re quick to tell me that it’s a fools dream.
That's the truth. I talk to almost no one about my trades. Few people want to hear it. I used to see one guy at cocktail parties who owned 2 NYSE seats. He loved to exchange stories about trades. And my wife wants to hear once in a while (but not that often). For most people, trading is like being a mobster - you don't talk about the trades.
The clue is in how you titled this thread. You used the word 'dream' Most people would agree with you, they think that as well, except they would add the word 'pipe' in front. noun: pipedream an unattainable or fanciful hope or scheme. As a part time serious hobby, trading is fine, but not as a long term full time career to your replace your regular career and income, not without some other source of income to help pay your living expenses. Otherwise it is a pipe dream for the vast majority of people who try it.
Is that what you are doing or is it still a dream? Most of my friends have a vague idea of what I do. I don't talk about it unless they bring it up then we can trade stories. Most have their money with an advisor. Being polite no one asks how much I have or make, but they seem impressed when we talk about percent returns.
This is correct. Excellence is a solo pursuit, doubly so if you were marked for failure from birth (my name means second place - lol)
But when I attempt to talk to even my best friend about it I get such negative commentary. Why is there a need to talk about it. When I finally had my portfolio to the size I was burning over $500 in theta value a day, I just stopped talking about it altogether. Problem is, when people find out then you get flooded with everyone wanting to ask how they can do that (and quickly)... like it's some easy hidden secret. You won't really care at that point anyway.
Talk about traveling Also, when someone says: "so, one told us that you do some kind of electronic trading?". Hum, I say "let just say that I manage my own investments".