Janice Dorn, MD, PhD
Neuropsychological Trading Coach
Janice Dorn, M.D., Ph.D., has been a full-time futures trader since 1994. Doctor Janice holds an M.D. in psychiatry and is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in general psychiatry and addiction psychiatry. She holds a Ph.D. in brain anatomy. A graduate of Coach University, she is a pioneer market psychiatrist and financial neurobehaviorist. Doctor Janice has written over 500 articles on the financial markets and coached over 600 traders worldwide. She is the Global Risk Strategist for Ingenieux Wealth Management Group, Sydney, Australia.
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The greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives…William James
Every trader and investor dreams to be able to sit calmly amid the noise and fury of the markets and make decisions which come from a state of deep repose and tranquility. Although challenging, this is a possible dream, and here are some good places to start. Remember that this will not be easy, but it will reap great rewards for you in every aspect of your capital-financial, mental, physical, emotional and spiritual. It takes a lean and steady horse for a long race, and trading success is a marathon, not a sprint.
Start slowly, be gentle with yourself and start taking some of the love and compassion that you give to others and turning it inward to manifest as self-love and self-compassion.
Each of us is bombarded with thoughts and feelings during the trading day. Often, these feelings are confusing, contradictory or deceptive. It is our task as traders to sort out what works for us and what does not, and to make this distinction on a frequent basis. In order to do this, we must find the energy to make changes in our lives. What is not working is an energy vulture or vampire, and it must go. What is working must be strengthened and nurtured. This is saying the same thing as cutting losing positions and letting winning positions run. Once you learn this and etch it on your brain forever, your trading is going to change for the better. You will reach a new level where you have zero toleration for what is not working, both in and out of the markets. As selfish and self-centered as this may sound, it is the only way to free yourself for your task as a trading warrior.
The first thing to do in this regard is to clear out the clutter from your brain. In doing this, you focus NOT on the clutter, rather on an empty space that you want to fill with thoughts that enrich and strengthen you. You get rid of the clutter with almost no thought because you know that the cleared space is a place of grounding from which you strengthen and grow yourself. Fill that clear space with positivity, strength and courage. You no longer have time for anything or anyone who is going to fill your ground with clutter and mess with your trading.
Once you have cleared your space and are armed with the courage to get through the negativity, begin to focus. Find a spot on the wall or a single point in space where you can direct your thoughts. At this time, begin to pay attention to your breathing and start to structure your thoughts and feelings around the breath. As you breathe in deeply though the nose, visualize your healing breath bringing oxygen into every part of your body. Imagine this breath nourishing you and filling your entire body with healthy energy and peaceful feelings. With the gentle release on the out breath, carry out of you everything that brings stress and negativity into your life. Breathe out your hideous job, the toxic co-workers, your miserable relationship, the bodily and mental pain that you are feeling. Breathe these out completely and just let go. Continue this cycle of breathing in healing and positive energy and breathing out all negativity. Feel yourself relaxing and letting go of every single piece of negativity that you are holding in you. Clear your space and find your ground.
As you continue with this, focus on the muscles of face and feel them soften and relax. Allow your eyes to move quietly down in their sockets. Relax your mouth and your tongue. Focus on your neck and shoulders, and notice how they begin to relax and loosen with each breath. Move this wave of relaxation slowly down every muscle of your body until you reach your toes.
Stop now and scan your body. Notice how you are now relaxed and breathing in an almost automatic manner. Your body and mind are relaxing and softening, and you feel light and free. It is at this exact point that your mind is the most receptive to conscious positive input. Fill yourself with the messages you want to give yourself: I am strong and balanced. I trade from a grounded center. I am aware of my own thoughts and feelings and do not allow myself to be put into chaos from all the noise around me every day. I feel relaxed, confident and peaceful. Everything I want to achieve is within my grasp.
In this state, you will listen to your genuine needs and find your unique authenticity. You will recognize the people, places and things that are holding you back from the greatness within you. You are relaxed and at peace. The present and future belongs to you.
Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself….Hermann Hesse
Until Next Time,
Good Trading and Brain On!
Janice Dorn, M.D., Ph.D.
janice@thetradingdoctor.com
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