“Take it slow. Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day, and Neither is a Consistently Profitable Trader” @Stanko
In Members in Profile, we interview stand-out members that show strong aptitude and work ethic. Our goal is to highlight different folks so that you can see the effort that our members are putting into their trading and hopefully learn from their experiences of the Convergent Trading Community.
We hope you enjoy hearing what @Stanko has to say!
What brought you into trading?
I got my start, like many, during the pandemic. COVID hit, WallStreetBets was all the rage, and I saw my friends and friends of friends in various group chats making money on pandemic stocks. I did this for a short while, but quickly realized that trading stocks with no risk management on my phone was no better than gambling. However, I remained interested in trading and had time to dedicate to it, so I started
learning. Like many retail traders, I was lost, not realizing that the first of many uphill battles was distinguishing what was real from what was BS. Through YouTube, I found some videos about proprietary trading firms and learned that people really do this for a living. My interest became an obsession that has yet to wane. I spent the next year and a half losing constantly and facing the many pitfalls that retail traders encounter. It wasn’t until late 2021, early 2022 that I discovered futures and never touched stocks and options again. At this point, I knew I needed a community of like-minded people, but one that was legitimate. So, I decided to go with Convergent and am happy I made the right choice.
What do you like most about Convergent?
FT’s analogies are truly fantastic. But really, if I had to choose one thing about Convergent, it’s trust. I trust the lessons taught in the many educational webinars to be based on truth. I trust that FT, the Mavens, and the community as a whole have our best interests at heart. As a retail trader who had to figure many things out on my own, I know there’s a lot of misinformation about trading that we need to sift through, and many never find the right path. But it’s here at Convergent, and I’m glad I found it.
How have these aspects helped you grow as a trader?
The community is set up in a way that suits my learning style, which is by osmosis in an immersive environment. The Trade Right program and key webinars provide an excellent foundation for newer traders, equipping them with essential knowledge and enabling you to speak the same language as FT and the Mavens. This is crucial for getting the most out of the experience. Watching them not only execute their trading processes in real time but also explain their reasoning has been vital for my development, helping me improve leaps and bounds from where I was when I first joined
Do you have a favorite community quote or webinar?
There are far too many to choose from, but I must say the Risk Management Basics webinar elevated my game tremendously. Risk management is one aspect of trading that has more misinformation about it online than not, and developing a solid risk plan saved me from more pain than I can fathom.
Do you have any advice for new members?
Take it slow. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a consistently profitable trader. Understand that this is a marathon, not a sprint, and that over time the pieces of the trading puzzle will begin to fall into place. Your only job is to show up, listen, and do the work… consistently. If you can do that, you will improve. There are no silver bullets in trading, but a community like Convergent is the closest thing to it.
What is your favorite non-trading activity/hobby?
Snowboarding. I love the freedom it gives me—the ability to disconnect from everything, not think, and just flow.
Have you participated in the #TradeRight program/challenges? What discoveries have you made?
The #TradeRight program was fantastic for my development. Being accountable to others, showcasing your work, and being open to criticism is the best way to leapfrog your progress as a trader. I discovered that you’re only as good as your trading plan, and posting my plans and journals publicly helped me to stay on track.