Is Your Money Mindset Sabotaging Trades?

by Sean Sawyer | Feb 10, 2025 | C.L.E.A.R., Loosen, Respond

Trading is a psychological battle. Every entry, exit, and risk decision is influenced by more than just logic and analysis—unconscious beliefs about money, success, and control shape it. If you’ve hesitated on good trades, chased losses, or sabotaged your performance, the problem isn’t just lack of discipline—it’s likely tied to deep-rooted money narratives from your past.

By recognizing and rewiring these hidden patterns, you can take control of your emotional trading and develop a clear, resilient approach to the market, feeling empowered and capable.

Greed Isn’t the Enemy—It’s an Underrated Edge

by Sean Sawyer | Feb 7, 2025 | C.L.E.A.R., Accept, Loosen

Greed, a familiar companion in trading, has often been cast as the villain. It’s been held responsible for impulsive decisions, account blowouts, and reckless overleveraging. But let’s face it, greed isn’t the problem—it’s how we navigate it that truly matters.

Much of trading psychology has been built on the idea of eliminating greed or controlling emotions. However, this outdated approach, often created by paraprofessionals without formal training in psychology, misunderstands how the mind works. Greed is not a switch you can turn off. It’s wired into your biology, linked to dopamine, ambition, and the pursuit of security. The goal isn’t to fight it—it’s to train it.

Change Your Life and Trading This Year

by Sean Sawyer | Jan 20, 2025 | C.L.E.A.R., Embody, Respond

Key Points: Build a foundation for success by defining values in all key areas of life, from family to work, health, and creativity. Align actions with values to make disciplined trading and personal growth decisions. Use values as a compass to navigate challenges and...

Are You High Atop Mt. Stupid?

by Sean Sawyer | Jan 1, 2025 | C.L.E.A.R., Accept, Respond

Have you ever felt like you’ve figured it out—only to see your confidence evaporate after a string of losses? You’re not alone. This common trap, tied to the Dunning-Kruger Effect, is why many traders feel invincible in the early stages of their journey. With low competence and soaring confidence, you stand atop “Mount Stupid,” where euphoria closes your eyes to the market’s realities.

Trading is Commerce, Not a Sport!

by Sean Sawyer | Dec 15, 2024 | C.L.E.A.R., Connect, Respond

Key Points: Trading as commerce shifts the focus from winning to creating value, aligning with market dynamics for long-term success. Sports analogies mislead traders by emphasizing control, competition, and forcing outcomes—often counterproductive. Viewing trading as...

Emotions Drive All Decisions

by Sean Sawyer | Dec 8, 2024 | C.L.E.A.R., Connect, Loosen

Every decision we make is informed by emotions, whether we acknowledge it or not. Emotions act as guides, nudging us to pay attention to certain aspects of a situation. For example, excitement may drive us toward opportunities, while fear can warn us of potential risks. Research by Antonio Damasio demonstrates that individuals with impaired emotional processing struggle with decisions—not due to a lack of logic but because emotions are critical for prioritizing options.

The Discipline of Value-Driven Action

by Sean Sawyer | Dec 2, 2024 | C.L.E.A.R., Connect, Embody

Discipline is about making value-driven choices, even when you are in discomfort. It is a practice of committed action that aligns daily decisions with deeper values and long-term goals. Psychological flexibility allows you to navigate challenging emotions without being controlled by them.

Discipline is often misunderstood as rigid control or suppression of emotions. Instead, think of it as the empowering ability to align actions with your core values, even when your emotions or impulses threaten to derail you. This reframing emphasizes action and intentionality, instilling a sense of personal integrity and resilience, and empowering you to take charge of your life.

Overcoming Strategy Hopping in Trading

by Sean Sawyer | Nov 18, 2024 | C.L.E.A.R., Accept, Embody

If you are reading this, you’re likely familiar with the frustrating cycle of strategy hopping—switching from one trading strategy to another and never settling into a consistent approach. Many traders face a common issue, but what drives this behavior, and how can you break the cycle? In this guide, we’ll explore the underlying causes of strategy hopping, why it’s so tempting, and actionable steps to help you develop a disciplined approach to trading.

Is There an Upside to Avoidance?

by Sean Sawyer | Nov 4, 2024 | C.L.E.A.R., Loosen, Respond

Avoidance deservedly has a bad reputation and is a barrier to personal growth and success. However, there’s another side: when used intentionally, avoidance—what we’ll call “Stress Pivoting”—can be a powerful tool for regulating emotions, conserving energy, and maintaining focus.

Why a Trading Psychology Plan is Essential

by Sean Sawyer | Oct 28, 2024 | C.L.E.A.R., Connect, Loosen

Mastering trading requires a robust trading psychology plan beyond technical skills and market analysis. This plan tackles the mental aspects of trading, equipping you with strategies to regulate emotions, maintain consistency, and improve performance in unpredictable environments. While market fluctuations may be uncertain, your mental preparation doesn’t have to be. Explore why a trading psychology plan is crucial and how it can anchor your mindset.

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