Fear is a misunderstood emotion, and one that gets a pretty bad rap these days. We owe our survival as a species to the hard-wired fear that kept us safe from physical threats for hundreds of thousands of years. 
But what about the litanies of fears that plague traders every day? Fear of losing, of watching profits disappear, of making mistakes, of missing out? 
Perhaps the larger question is this: If almost every trader feels fear, why do millions of people continue to trade? The answer lies in the way that fear is perceived.
For many, fear is a predator that’s constantly lurking, sneaking up on them, ready to attack at any moment. In this mindset, they’re always running away from fear, crouching in a corner, or looking for a safe place to hide. Fear blinds them to opportunity. 
For others, fear is the prey. They move steadily and with discipline in the direction of the fear — always keeping it in front of them. As they approach the fear, they see it for what it really is. 
F.E.A.R.: False Evidence Appearing Real. They see fear as something to go through in order to get what they desire — better trades and more profits.  (more…)