Key Points:
- Your attitude towards unchangeable circumstances—in life or trading—is a choice.
- Avoid hyper-reflection, as it often amplifies suffering and hinders decision-making.
- Aligning actions with your core values is essential to cultivating resilience and clarity.
These two videos were used during the sessions. Press play when the Group Facilitator starts the video, pause this reading until the video 2 videos end, and rejoin the discussion by unpausing audio here.
Summary:
In this dynamic session, Sean explores Viktor Frankl’s timeless wisdom, particularly his insights on finding meaning amidst suffering, and connects them to the challenges traders face. Using Frankl’s philosophy as a foundation, Sean explores how our attitude toward any situation can shape our experience—a volatile market or an unchangeable life circumstance. By confronting hyper-reflection and engaging with our values, we can create an environment of internal resilience, clarity, and accountability.
The session begins with Sean sharing clips of Viktor Frankl discussing meaning, values, and the importance of choice, followed by reflections on their relevance to trading psychology. One of the standout discussions revolved around Frankl’s concept of hyper-reflection, where overthinking failures or obsessing over trades gone wrong can trap traders in cycles of suffering. As Sean put it, “The meaning you make out of your failure will sink you faster than the meaning you make out of your success.” This profound insight served as a launching point to discuss practical ways traders can shift their mindset and break free from the paralysis caused by overthinking.
Sean also examined Frankl’s categories of values—creative, attitudinal, and experiential—and encouraged participants to define what truly matters to them. Whether serving family, finding purpose in trading, or choosing peace over frustration in market chaos, Sean emphasized that value-driven action creates consistency and strength. “Why choose suffering when you can choose your values?” Sean asked, challenging the group to reflect on the small but significant choices they make each day.
SPP community members shared influential contributions, including one who noted the importance of confronting difficult moments with acceptance rather than resistance. Another reflected on their struggle to clearly define their values and how this vagueness can impact trading decisions. These shared experiences added depth to the session, highlighting the universal battle of aligning with our values and navigating uncertainty.
“You can’t control the market, but you can control your attitude towards it. So why choose suffering? Choose your values instead.”
– Sean Sawyer
C.L.E.A.R. Mindset Connections
Connect to the present moment and enhance your self-awareness with practical techniques.
- Hyper-reflection was identified as a barrier to staying present. Sean emphasized mindfulness as a tool for noticing when one’s mind is stuck replaying past mistakes, enabling one to break the cycle.
Loosen your attachment to thoughts and emotions, and cultivate mental clarity and resilience.
- Viktor Frankl’s teachings on defusion—distancing oneself from unhelpful thoughts—echoed throughout the session. Sean encouraged traders to detach from self-critical narratives and focus on actionable insights.
Embody your core values and align them with your actions to foster authenticity and purpose.
- Sean walked through examples of aligning trades with personal values, such as maintaining discipline or focusing on long-term goals, helping traders identify values-driven strategies.
Accept all the present moment offers, whether wanted or not, and find peace and strength.
- The group reflected on Frankl’s perspective on unchangeable circumstances, such as volatile markets. Acceptance, rather than resistance, was positioned as the first step toward clarity and effective action.
Respond with decisive, informed action, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth.
- Sean highlighted the importance of consciously choosing attitudes and actions that align with values, even when markets are chaotic, transforming frustration into focused decision-making.
Actionable Strategies:
- Practice mindfulness during your trading day to notice when you’re ruminating on past mistakes or outcomes.
- Revisit your core values and write them down. Reflect on how they influence your approach to trading.
- When faced with volatile markets, remember: “I choose my attitude.” Aim for one rooted in acceptance and focus.
- Anchor your mindset before placing trades with small, values-based interventions, such as considering family or long-term goals.
- If a trade goes poorly, actively challenge the meaning you attach to it by asking, “What does this mean about my trading plan, not me as a person?”
Act Accordingly:
This session reminded traders that while the markets are unpredictable, their responses don’t have to be. Focusing on values and challenging hyper-reflection creates a foundation for greater resilience and clarity in trading. Viktor Frankl’s insights resonate deeply: When you consciously shape your attitude, you regain control, even in chaotic conditions. So, pause, reflect, and let your values—not emotions—guide your next step.