Do I really want Success in Trading ?

Often, we fail to understand the reason why even after trying for weeks and months and even years together, we do not feel as successful and as confident as we would love to feel in our trading profession.

In this context, there is a well known Zen Story that goes like this:

“A hermit was meditating by a river when a young man interrupted him. “Master, I wish to become your disciple,” said the man. “Why?” replied the hermit. The young man thought for a moment. “Because I want to find God.”
The master jumped up, grabbed him by the scruff of his neck, dragged him into the river, and plunged his head under water. After holding him there for a minute, with him kicking and struggling to free himself, the master finally pulled him up out of the river. The young man coughed up water and gasped to get his breath. When he eventually quieted down, the master spoke. “Tell me, what did you want most of all when you were under water.”

“Air!” answered the man.

“Very well,” said the master. “Go home and come back to me when you want God as much as you just wanted air.””*

What significance does this story bring to you as traders?

It makes us think, ponder, and make us ask ourseves something very basic yet so very important?

Do i want to trade more than anything else in the world right now?

Or trading is just a means to me for money?

Till i do not feel the same as the man felt for Air, meeting success in Trading is less probable. It ought to be my only passion, my first love, for it to reward me with the joy and gains i expect from it!

Only when my intense will for trading and success in trading becomes so so strong, my subsequent hard work and focus will (should) support me through it. And of course, money will come, but as a by-product!

Ponder!