One of the most common characteristics among highly successful traders is being extremely goal-oriented. People are most effective, happy, and not surprisingly, physically and mentally healthy when they have clearly established goals. From the small and mundane tasks, such as cleaning your desk, to more important life issues ranging from child rearing to estate planning, having a goal and making steady progress towards that goal creates a state of mental clarity and a sense of purpose.
That’s the good news. The flip side of the coin is that poorly planned goals can have the complete opposite effect. Once we firmly establish a specific goal, our subconscious kicks in gear to “get ’er done”. This has nothing to do with will power — it’s simply the way we are wired. While establishing and pursuing goals can lead to a higher quality of life, unless they are structured properly, they can also lead to depression and an overwhelming sense of failure. So before we start flipping those switches and the synapses start firing, let’s clarify some sound and solid principles that will become the foundational structure of every goal we set both in our E-mini Trading business and other areas of our life as well. Continue reading "Four Critical Goal Setting Tips for E-mini Futures Trading"