Market Wizards | Credit Spread Options Strategy
content top

What Makes an Option Trader Great?...

The other day, I was digging through a stack of old notes that I made to myself when I first got started in the option trading business years ago… I really can’t believe I had let so much dust collect on them… because  this stuff was awesome! I felt like I had just re-discovered a buried treasure… (more…) Share and...


12 Responses to “What Makes an Option Trader Great?”

  1. Mike S says:

    Jeff, Thank you for the great tips to be a better Trader! Staying in Shape seems to be the toughest for me. Working a full time job, a side business and trying to make real gains trading, while also having a busy, happy family life leaves little time to work out.

    The challenge is to step away, get physically fit and clear the head. There is always so much to do that this very (most?) important task is usually left to be accomplished after all of the urgent and pressing.

    Knowing the problem is the first step to success. Now ACTING on this problem is the MOST important step to success!

  2. Dave Brawner says:

    One trick that’s helped me subdue the FEAR/GREED monster is to redefine wins and losses.

    By defining them as revenue and expenses I find my ego does not get as offended when a “bill” comes due.

    We all know that not every trade works out the way we planned. No, STRIKE THAT, not every trade works out the way we’d like. Since we plan our trades then EVERY which ever way it ends, it was the way we planned it.

    So whether it made money, or we spent money, the object like any business is to make more than we spend.

    That is a profitable trader.

    One other redefinition I use is to think points or pips during the trading day. I only count dollars after a trade closes, and usually after my trading day closes. This keeps my mind from fretting or spending what I haven’t yet realized.

    As a formerly fully licensed securities broker in stocks, options, and insurance, I appreciate the way you help your clients manage a effective income strategy.

    Keep up the good work, people will need it even more over the next few years.

    Dave

  3. Jeffrey Ziegler says:

    Boy does that sound familiar! I remember those days, Mike. Here something that may help…find 30 minutes at lunch to do H.I.T training (high intensity training). On Monday, Wednesday and Friday do full body interval resistance training and on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday do sprints or jumping rope as hard as you can. I’m only talking 30 minutes per day…but it’ll make an unbelievable difference! One other thing…pack all your own food for the day. Get six small meals every 2.5 hours apart so your energy is always at the peak.

    Hope this helps…

    JZ

  4. Dave Brawner says:

    A tip for MIKE S…

    Staying in shape is tough for most people these days. With the proliferation of economic, job, time stresses, and fast food joints, it’s no wonder people are getting heavier and weaker each year.

    The conspiracy theorists will point to big business and big government plans to enslave the mass populace, but I think we still have choices.

    Ask yourself what will you be able to do better later today or tomorrow if you skip your exercise or nutrition plan right now?

    It’s a mater of priorities and if you skip the most important ones, you’ll not likely succeed at the rest.

    For a quick solution, look for Matt Furey’s Royal Court. It only take a few minutes in the morning, and if you wish, a few more in the evening.

    I’m turning 60 soon and credit my health and energy levels to these quick exercises.

    Best of luck with your trading.

    Dave

  5. Adam Moon says:

    Great list Jeff. Constantly evolving and persistance I think are most important behind discipline. Being that we live in an information age, it is so easy to get side tracked by the next “best” opportunity whether in trading or anything else. Persisting in mastering the foundation of trading basics I have found to be priceless. I believe your training course to be just that.

  6. Hey Adam…really appreciate the kind words. Glad you’re part of the tribe!

    JZ

  7. Steve Schmidt says:

    Great advice – I am changing a few things in my daily routine after going through an extremely trying and stressful family crisis. These 6 steps couldn’t have come at a better time in my life. Thank you for posting them and for everything you provide on you training subscriber membership websight as well.
    PS How can I update my reply box with a different photo/avatar? Want to put in a market related picture that is more fun than the default non-personal one that is on there now. Thanks

  8. Tommy S says:

    This is a great list Jeffrey, thanks for posting it. The hardest obstacle for me, without a doubt, is “Trading to Win”. Of course I always go into a trade expecting to win, but I definitely trade “not to lose”. I find myself taking profits early, in order to lock them up. But when I’m faced with a loss, I will hold on waiting for a reversal that doesn’t materialize and usually gets worse. It’s a situation where I am allowing myself to lose more than I will allow myself to win.

    I would like to see more posts/videos that talk about the “mental side” of trading, and how to deal with issues traders face.

    Thanks!

  9. Jeffrey Ziegler says:

    Hey Tommy,

    Thanks for the suggestion…Will do. By the way, did you get a chance to watch my Fear and Greed video in the members area? I talk specifically about this more in depth.

    JZ

  10. John J says:

    I read the book “Trading In The Zone” by Mark Douglas a few months ago. It is THE book for all traders! Highly recommended.

  11. Rebecca Laughlin says:

    Hi Jeff, Great stuff in Zig’s Take! It’s so great to be connected to someone we can trust to help us in this business. There are so many snares out there, especially on the net. I’m thankful that the Lord led us to you. I am also taking the course you recommended with Mac X. Thanks for your lead on that as well. Keep us posted on how your moving forward on the Forex stuff as well.
    In His Love ~ Rebecca Laughlin

  12. Rebecca Laughlin says:

    Hey – quick tag to previous comment – I got on to quickly comment on the Zig’s Take then saw the above post with the list of six traits. Just another example of the cool stuff you bless us with. Hours of homework summarized right there in a few seconds of reading. Thanks so much.

    Quick grammar correction on above comment – “you’re” moving forward ….

    Looking forward to more cool stuff – I’m soaking it up like a sponge!

Leave a Reply

Security Code:

You Can’t Score on the Sidelines...

It grieves me today to write about this because neither of my teams made the playoffs. Actually, the Broncos didn’t make the playoffs and the Chargers were knocked off by the Jets. But I need to work through my pain with a little sports talk. Are you ready sport buffs?…Let’s talk football. I know what your thinking….You’re wondering if I finally fell off my rocker...


5 Responses to “You Can’t Score on the Sidelines”

  1. Howard says:

    G’day Jeff. Pity about the Chargers – I’m a fan because I lived in San Diego for 2.5 years (1985-87). You are right, of course, you can’t win if you are not in the game. I can’t win yet because I only received the training manual a few days ago, but am getting into it.
    Go Chargers! (next year!)
    Cheers,
    Howard

  2. Thanks Jeff. This tweet is a the piece of info I needed today…Corinne

  3. Hey Howard,

    It won’t take you long. Before you know it you’ll be able to trade spreads with your eyes closed.

    Who you picking for the Superbowl?

    JZ

  4. Corrine,

    I’m glad you liked it. Have a great day!

    JZ

  5. Steve Schmidt says:

    Hey – loved the way you mixed in trading tactics with sports and the SuperBowl…I’m gonna go with the Saints just because I think it’s the 1st time they’ve ever been to a SuperBowl but I could be wrong about that…anyway it’ll be a fun Sunday – kinda like a semi-national-holiday…get out the chips, dip a couple of Strohs Fire-brewed
    beers and take a well deserved break…Go Saints hahaha

Leave a Reply

Security Code: