Good morning, traders…
Ben here.
It’s the reason most people get into trading, and ironically, it’s also the part that trips them up the most…
It’s easy to think that trading is all about making more of it, but the way you feel about money plays an even bigger role than most realize.
Some people come into trading with a certain mindset. We’ve all met the type — they can’t stand to lose a dollar, and view any financial risk as an emotional rollercoaster.
Others might have the opposite problem — degenerate gamblers addicted to the thrill of making random bets without putting any thought into it whatsoever.
The tough truth is that neither of these mindsets leads to success in the options market. In fact, they usually both lead to abject failure.
Trading requires a unique mentality — one that respects money (without coveting it) and takes calculated risks (without gambling).
The goal is to treat money as a tool, not as a scorecard for self-worth (or a source of stress that dictates every decision).
When money becomes an emotional trigger, your trading decisions will start to reflect hope, fear, and frustration rather than a proven process.
So, if you’re wondering how to build a healthy relationship with money and improve your trading — it starts with one simple shift in perspective…
Trading Like a Video Game
I’ll give you some advice no one else will: think of trading like a video game.
The market is the “map,” so to speak, and dollars are simply points in the game — something to be used strategically to advance your position.
In a game, the focus isn’t on what points can buy in real life — it’s on using them wisely to win.
The same applies to trading. Treating dollars as game pieces helps take the emotional weight off each trade.
It encourages better decision-making, patience, and the ability to walk away when the odds aren’t in your favor.
Don’t think about what that money could’ve bought — think about how that money can grow your account.
Traders who embrace this mindset cut losses faster, protect their capital, and wait for high-probability setups instead of forcing trades…
We’re here to win the game.
The Emotional Side of Money
Risking money naturally triggers emotions — excitement after a win or frustration after a loss.
But emotions and money don’t mix well. As much as you can, you want to trade like The Terminator.
Letting a loss get under your skin often leads to chasing bad trades.
On the flip side, getting overconfident after a win can lead to taking on too much risk.
The goal is to stay level-headed, regardless of what’s happening in the account.
As strange as this may sound, you need to detach yourself from the all-importance of money.
Ideally, disciplined trading should be (kind of) boring. If you notice your heartbeat racing in a trade, you’re risking way too much…
Respecting Risk Without Fear
A healthy relationship with money means understanding risk and accepting it — not avoiding it or taking reckless chances.
Some traders hesitate to pull the trigger (even when the setup is perfect), while others go all-in and risk way too much to be comfortable.
SPOILER ALERT: Both groups are doomed.
Risk should always be intentional and controlled. Knowing exactly how much to risk on each trade will take a lot of the stress out of the equation.
A good rule of thumb is to never risk more than you’re willing to lose. How much is that? It’s easy to figure out. When entering a position, ask yourself: How would you feel if you lost that money?
If the loss would be anything more than a minor blip on the radar, it’s time to size down.
Separating Money from Your Identity
One of the biggest mental traps in trading is tying self-worth to the ups and downs of an account balance.
It’s easy to feel like a rip-roaring success story after a big win or a hopeless failure after a tough loss, but this is a recipe for disaster…
Individual trade results don’t define your value. Losses and drawdowns are unavoidable, even for the best traders in the world.
What separates the best from the 90% who quit is the ability to identify their mistakes (and eliminate them).
Your relationship with money has a huge effect on how you trade. When money is seen as a tool rather than an emotional burden, trading becomes less stressful and more strategic.
Think of dollars as points in a game. The same way poker players view chips on the table. They’re tools to grow your account, to win the game.
The traders who last aren’t the ones who chase money, but the ones who respect it, manage it well, and focus on improving their craft every day.
Before we go, let’s look at:
💰The Biggest Smart Money Bets of the Day💰
- $8.5 million bullish bet on BE 07/18/2025 $28 calls @ $5.20 avg. (seen on 1/23)
- $3.7 million bullish bet on TLT 05/16/2025 $89 calls @ $1.97 avg. (seen on 1/23)
- $2.6 million bullish bet on UBER 06/20/2025 $75 calls @ $4.10 avg. (seen on 1/23)
Happy trading,
Ben Sturgill
P.S. This SUNDAY, January 26 at 1:00 p.m. EST, we’re hosting a VERY SPECIAL WORKSHOP to break down the biggest Smart Money bets for next week.
Seats are limited — Click here to reserve yours now!
*Past performance does not indicate future results
