I read a quote about trading a long time ago that went something like: “Trading consists of extended stretches of intolerable boredom interspersed with moments of sheer terror.”

No terror for me today but I felt like one of my favorite animals – the cheetah. Just sit with orders in the market wait for price to come  so you can pounce on it.

Most people only pay attention to the speed of the cheetah because that part is exciting. But that part only lasts a few seconds.

What they don’t pay attention to is the fact that the cheetah spends the majority of its hunting time lying in wait and silently stalking its prey – “intolerable boredom.”

Waiting, and waiting, and waiting some more for the right situation to present itself.

Yes, that part is boring, but it’s also the most important part. It wouldn’t matter how fast the cat was if it just ran around without a plan.

His speed is only a small part of what makes him successful.

The bigger part of his success is his ability to follow his plan. To wait until the time is right. To conserve his energy until he sees the opportunity that gives him the best chance for success.

And even then he only gets his prey about 50% of the time.

The key to his success is his ability to consistently apply his method no matter what.

He may be starving. She may need to feed her cubs. But flailing around doing stupid stuff won’t get them what they want.

Only by following a consistent plan can they have any hope of success.

I don’t know if I’ll catch the prey on this attempt, or the next, or the next, but if I’m consistent with my approach, I know I can be successful over time.

I try to trade like a cheetah would.