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with Sean Sawyer, MS

Session: #066 | Trading Isn’t a F*cking Sport!

December 17, 2024

Key Points:

  1. Trading requires patience, process over competition, and quick outcomes.
  2. Viewing trading as commerce shifts focus from adversarial win-lose mindsets to sustainable decision-making.
  3. Fixed mindsets and sports analogies in trading are harmful and misaligned with market realities.

Summary:

In this session, Sean delves into the perils of using sports metaphors in trading. He argues that trading is not a competition or a zero-sum game but a form of commerce, likening it to managing inventory or selling a product rather than scoring a goal. The adversarial, “win-lose” mindset inherent in sports analogies fosters impulsive reactions, heightens emotional stakes, and hinders traders from focusing on long-term success and process-oriented thinking.

Participants shared how removing sports analogies and embracing a commerce mindset felt more calming and sustainable. One SPP member highlighted that thinking of trading as a business rather than a game helped reduce pressure, allowing them to make more precise decisions. Sean reinforced that this shift encourages flexibility, patience, and mindfulness—vital to navigating the market’s uncontrollable forces.

Sean also tackled perfectionism and the detrimental effects of fixed mindsets, reminding attendees that markets are unpredictable. A quote from Sean resonated deeply: “Any adversarial mindset is outcome-oriented and toxic to a trader aiming to remain process-oriented and committed to longevity in the business.” By emphasizing values and process over rigid goals, Sean pointed out the importance of adaptability and self-compassion, traits often overlooked by traders aiming solely for “wins.”

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

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

  • Focus on patience by observing market conditions without rushing to act.

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

  • Practice defusion techniques to shift away from win-lose thinking and embrace the process.

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

  • Redefine success as making sound decisions rather than achieving immediate profitability.

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

  • Welcome market unpredictability as part of the journey rather than something to conquer.

Respond with decisive, informed action, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth.

  • Commit to process-oriented decision-making instead of reacting emotionally to market fluctuations.

Actionable Strategies

  • Begin your trading day by reminding yourself, “I’m going to the market, not to battle.”
  • Identify situations where you’re chasing “wins” and reframe them as opportunities for learning.
  • Practice self-compassion exercises to counteract perfectionist tendencies.
  • Track moments when waiting or non-participation proved to be the right choice.
  • Regularly reflect on your values and how they guide your trading decisions.

Act Accordingly

Trading is not a game of wins and losses; it’s a dynamic commerce process. This mindset reduces pressure, encourages growth, and aligns your actions with long-term success. Approach the market with patience, flexibility, and a focus on process—because, in the market, sustainability always beats sprinting to the finish line.

Sean Sawyer, MS

Psychotherapist | Performance Coach

Sean Sawyer, a psychotherapist since 2003 and full-time trader since 2017. Sean uniquely blends psychology and trading, offering insights from both worlds. His experience in psychological trauma and performance psychology helps individuals master decision-making and resilience in high-pressure situations.