“The market will be here when you are ready” @Chris1979
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 @Chris1979 has to say!
What brought you into trading?
I became interested in trading in 2007 when I read an article about the iPhone, bought call options, and made a lot of money (it seemed easy enough!). Initially, trading was just a hobby for me, I traded equity options, index futures, energy spreads, eurodollar, and fixed income spreads, I became focused solely on the ES and trading full time in 2018.
What do you like most about Convergent?
Being part of a community is very important to your development as a trader, seeing other people, from all over the world, go through the exact same struggles you are with trading and seeing how they are dealing with them or have overcome them is a great help. Also, seeing professional traders up close, the work they put into preparation, and how they are viewing current conditions is important for development as a trader.
How have these aspects helped you grow as a trader?
My preparation used to fall far short of what a trader needs to be sufficiently prepared but I didn’t know. Seeing how well prepared the head traders are, how well they know the “map” and deal with the unexpected (which always happens in trading) has helped me turn my prep into a strong area for me.
Do you have a favorite community quote or webinar?
My favorite quote comes from LongShortorFlat, who said “you can only control your plan, process, rules, risk, and execution”.
My favorite webinar is Risk Management Basics, it changed the way I looked at risk management, and without a risk management plan, you can’t make it.
Do you have any advice for new members?
Take your time setting up a solid foundation first, the market will be here when you are ready. Go through the Trade Right program, key webinars and refine your process and pre-trading routine.
Have you participated in the #TradeRight program/challenges? What discoveries have you made?
I have participated in the #TradeRight program. I realized that it all comes down to consistently following your plan and doing what you say you will do, limiting your errors, and focusing on the process. It sounds easier than it is, but it is doable.
What is your favorite non-trading activity/hobby?
I recently started lifting weights again after a 20-year break from it. I rapidly gained a lot of weight after the death of my parents (after slowly growing a ‘spare tire’ for years) and initially just wanted to just lose a little weight doing some light cardio, that led to weightlifting starting last May and the benefits to both my mind and body has led me to a complete lifestyle change that has had positive effects in almost every part of my life, especially my overall happiness, work ethic, focus, sleep, and discipline, all of which happen to help with trading.
