Key Points:

1. Mindful trading starts with enhancing self-awareness and labeling internal experiences.
2. The goal of mindfulness is to get better at feeling, not to feel better.
3. Trading success requires connecting micro (internal state), mezzo (immediate environment), and macro (values) awareness.

Summary:

In this ninth live coaching session on March 17th, 2024, Sean focuses on mindful trading, emphasizing the importance of developing awareness of our thoughts, emotions, and urges while trading. He begins with a mindfulness exercise, encouraging participants to label their internal experiences—thoughts, emotions, urges—without judgment. Sean explains that mindfulness is not about changing our feelings but getting better at experiencing positive or negative feelings.

Sean highlights how mindfulness can be a powerful tool in trading by helping traders recognize and manage the emotions and urges that often lead to impulsive decisions. He shares insights on the importance of understanding the broader psychological context—your “psychological higher timeframes”—and how being in tune with your values can guide better decision-making in trading. Sean also discusses the significance of recognizing when you are not in the right state to trade and the value of stepping back when necessary.

One impactful takeaway from the session is Sean’s reminder, “Mindfulness is not about feeling better; it’s about getting better at feeling.”

This quote encapsulates the essence of the session and the importance of embracing mindfulness not just as a trading tool but as a life skill.

C.L.E.A.R. Mindset Connections:

Connect to the present moment and enhance your self-awareness with practical techniques.

• Participants practiced labeling their thoughts and emotions, heightening awareness of internal experiences during trading.

Loosen your attachment to thoughts and emotions, and cultivate mental clarity and resilience.

• By recognizing and labeling urges, traders learned to detach from impulsive actions, fostering clarity in decision-making.

Embody your core values and align them with your actions to foster authenticity and purpose.

• Sean emphasized the connection between trading decisions and personal values, encouraging alignment to avoid mindless trading.

Accept all the present moment offers, whether wanted or not, and find peace and strength.

• The session reinforced that mindfulness is about accepting all emotions, even discomfort, to build emotional resilience. This is a crucial aspect of mindful trading that can help you stay focused and make rational decisions even in challenging situations.

Respond with decisive, informed action, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth and feeling empowered in your trading decisions.

• By integrating mindfulness, traders can make more informed decisions, turning emotional challenges into strategic opportunities.

Actionable Strategies:

• Practice the practical strategy of labeling thoughts, emotions, and urges during trading sessions to increase self-awareness and equip yourself for better decision-making.
• Use the four-step process to assess your mental state and readiness to trade regularly.
• Ground yourself in your core values before making trading decisions, especially during moments of emotional intensity.

Act Accordingly:

This session on mindful trading provided valuable insights into how traders can enhance their emotional intelligence and decision-making by practicing mindfulness. By staying connected to their internal states and broader values, traders can navigate the market with greater clarity and purpose. Sean’s guidance offers a practical approach to integrating mindfulness into trading, reminding participants that the true goal is not to feel better but to get better at feeling, inspiring them to apply these learnings in their trading journey.