Why easy is difficult

Should read short term edge

 

That's good to know. I can just see Donna sharpening a knife while looking at me in a hungry sort of way.

 

"A friend in need is a friend indeed".

 

I'd actually like to keep this thread alive, read this phantom's gift some years ago but never really understood what he was saying. Phantom, can you give an example of the above doublespeak and how you'd handle it?

 

Simple? Yes.

Easy? Not at all. Throwing the ball into a basket is simple too, but how many can do it on NBA level?

 

good way of putting it indeed. One can see the psy pro.

 

Thank you, sS.

My view on the problem in more details is that technically simple activity can be both difficult and easy depending on existence of emotional component in the equation so to say.

There are widely known experiments, where people were asked to walk on the moderately narrow plank simply lying on the floor. Most did it without slightest sign of a problem.

But what if the same plank was placed 1 meter above the ground? Far not every participant even agreed to walk it at all. Now imagine if it was placed above the abyss?

Difference in all cases above is just how we perceive it emotionally.

 

To add: of course there is skill involved in many activities as well. Trading is one of them, seemingly very simple, but also very nuanced professions, where "small things" make a difference between overall profit or a loss.

 

your example of walking across a plank on the ground or at 1 meter high is very instructive. Even myself, I am not sure I will just do it.

I also think that activities like trading do require a lot of "trading" experience,
AND , a very healthy psychology/spirituality. At the end of the day, after the trading experience, it is really a mental game. And with unhealthy psychology/spirituality, one is simply doomed to reflect the unhealthiness in the trading.

 

Yea, how simple is walking a plank 1m above the ground? And how easy?

I agree that psychological problems, especially those related to lack of adequate self-confidence or on opposite, presence of overconfidence lead to dramatic consequences in trading.

One of my favorite books is Soros's "Alchemy of Finance". He always keeps amazing me how easily he admits mistakes. Like there was no ego involved at all. Of course I think what he felt was different, but still, publishing such a detailed information about both successes and failures requires very strong psyche and self-confidence, but not overconfidence.