7/28/2019 A Strong Enough 'Why'

1/2

A Strong Enough Why Will Take Your Trading to the Top

Dr. M. Woodruff Johnson

Paulo breathed a heavy sigh as he thought about the next days preparation. He was still

attempting to recover from todays session, which was emotionally whipping him, as my

grandfather used to say, like he stole something! He felt fragmented and frustrated; and he

knew that his research and preparation for tomorrows trading was crucial. Paulo also knew that

his state of mind was not conducive to the sharp focus of his A-Game, which was required forpreparation that was not distorted by poor judgment or distracted by noisy negative thinking.

He actually had a number of mental/emotional tools that he could use when his emotional

temperature was too extreme for making prudent decisions. But, he was so disgusted with his

results from this days trading, which included several losses, two rule violations and a

premature exit that left him at break-even only to watch the price action move decidedly in his

direction for several points; that he just wanted to chuck it for now. However, just then his

thoughts turned toward his toe-headed little daughter whose cherubic face beamed a smile in his

mind. He also envisioned his loving wife whom he knew was in his corner. In fact, these mental

pictures reminded him of his sensory rich vision of success that he had written which detailed

his compelling reason for trading.

It was all about his family and his community service. As he revisited the short but riveting

account of those things that mattered most in his life; those things that propelled him out of bed

in the morning and drove him like a turbo jet toward his goals; his emotional state rebounded

like the ball from a home-run bat.

Paulo became triggered into a whole cascade of neuro-networks (specific sensory filled

memories and thoughts surrounding significant events and people in your life) that revolved

around his family, friends and community that made his heart sing. He became reacquainted

with his passion for living which he had connected to his compelling reason for trading. Herein

was the internal motivation that was not tied to will power the myth of discipline. Will power

is the Ill make myself do it syndrome. It is a form of discipline, but the mind/body is working

against itself. It is the precursor of inner conflict and stress. Will power is where you use

metaphors like putting your nose to the grind stone and put your shoulder to the wheel.

This form of discipline is not nearly as powerful as connecting your goal to what makes you want

to break out in song. Connecting to your passionate visionary form of discipline engages the

body, mind and emotions to work in the same direction and for the same goal. When your

passion is at work, you become aligned and poised to activate and access your internal and

external resources. When you are on purpose, and your goals are tethered to your passion (a

compelling reason), you become driven not dragged to the results you want. You are thenpoised to do only what is in the interests of your highest and best goals and highest and best

self.

Actually, connecting with passion also creates a magnificent obsession where you are focused

with laser precision on your plan for achievement. Just think about it, what if you were

magnificently obsessed about your health? This would mean that you were only interested in

eating those foods in the right amount, and doing those things that would render your body and

mind in its optimum physical/mental state. Or, what if you were magnificently obsessed about

your relationships; where you were only interested in loving, respecting, and supporting your

family in ways that lead to optimum growth, happiness and well-being? And, what if you were

7/28/2019 A Strong Enough 'Why'

2/2

magnificently obsessed about doing exactly what it took to be consistently successful; planning

your trades, trading your plans and following all of your rules?

When purpose is connected to passion (the what-matters-most-in your life) you engage the

unconscious mind to work for you rather than against you. You are setting the blue print and the

road map in your unconscious mind to do those important things consistently to create the

results in your life that you are envisioning. You cant help but follow-through because you have

a burning desire to master the process. It actually becomes imperative that you do the right

thing habitually in order to get the right results habitually.

Having a specific and detailed purpose starts the journey to be the trader that you know is in

you. At this point your purpose can be used like a tool during the tough times of the trade. Just

as Paulo did, when you get to the frequent difficulties in and around your trading, preparing or

debriefing process, if you experience any resistance to doing what you know is important just

access and activate your purpose and the vision associated with it. In this way you will state

shift from frustration, anxiety or self-doubt to emotions such as, determination, inspiration and

confidence. Its as if you plugged into an energy socket when your purpose is strongly

connected to the passion of your life. It can help create consistency in order to develop capacity

for strength and endurance