“One of the greatest challenges in trading is dealing with ambiguous information. The market is always sending mixed information to various degrees. We can also see this ambiguity in the commentary from the market pundits in the media. Each pundit chooses (consciously and/or subconsciously) to focus or emphasize one thing over another thing. I came across the following quote recently by Robert Gates addressing a group at the CIA in 1991: ‘the most difficult task that falls to us in intelligence is to see the world as it is, not as we – or others – would wish it to be.’ I talk about this all the time, using different words: ‘we don’t see the market as it is; we see it as we are.’ What do I mean by that? Our thoughts, feelings, hopes, expectations, and beliefs (both conscious and subconscious) create a personal filter that we see the market through. And that filter forms the basis for our entry and exit decisions. That’s just the way it is. It’s part of being human. And this filter not only impacts how you see the market, even your choice of instrument, time frame, trading style, etc, are influenced. Traders who are self-aware, who understand their own biases, their fears and hopes and what triggers them are in a better position to profit from the market. Going one step further, traders who are self-aware and who are honest with themselves are in an even better position. And taking another step, traders who are self-aware, honest, and have the courage and willingness to do the work to incorporate their own personal trading psychology into their plan are in the best position. What kind of trader are you?”