Gain by Losing
“Taoists advise people not to seek recognition or public acclaim. Instead, act humbly, and quietly pursue the development of personal talents. Tao is not fulfilled in external awards or recognition but in accomplishing for itself” (Simple Taoism: A Guide to Living in Balance by C. Alexander Simpkins and Annellen Simpkins, p.67).
Kill the Buddha
Let the idea of becoming a master trader die. If you don’t, the recognition will kill your trading. “The ninth-century Buddhist master Lin Chi is supposed to have said, “If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him” (“Killing the Buddha” by Sam Harris). One interpretation of this saying is that you have to find your own answers to life’s questions. Another interpretation is that having the attitude that you have all the answers in any area of life (being the Buddha) is dangerous to your self-growth and that egocentric attitude needs to be killed. So the attitude of becoming a master trader needs to go (let it die or kill it).
Bye, Bye Master Trader
The reasons that being labeled a master trader will kill your trading are the following: If you believe you’ve arrived at some exalted state of trading mastery, the wrath of the gods will descend on you in the form of massive trading losses; since the markets are constantly changing, if you think you reached a static state of trading mastery, you won’t have the tools to trade the markets successfully and hence, more trading losses; and the societal acclaim will bring you down because you ultimately can’t trade to please others without ruining your trading style and self-respect. Paradoxically, you could become much more successful at trading (if trading is your vocation) than a master trader, if you don’t seek fame. Instead, seek to gain by losing (recognition).
Photo by nito500.