Happy Friday, traders…

Ben here.

You may be unaware that I was a teacher before I was a trader.

I got my teaching degree because I love helping other people learn new skills — the number one skill being trading.

As a teacher, it’s important for me to convey what I think … but it’s just as crucial to show you how I think.

In other words, I want to reveal to you my philosophy — my truth — about trading and people. 

And it all comes down to three trading proverbs.

By breaking down these trading proverbs today, I’ll show you: 

• Why most traders aren’t “born with it” (and how to build it)…
• The profound impact of self-awareness on your trading decisions…
• What cold soup has in common with trading…

Great Traders Are Born And Built

Like a musician born with perfect pitch, or a tall guy being genetically predisposed to play basketball (e.g. myself) … some traders are just naturally gifted. 

They come to the market fully formed with an innate sense for reading the tape, controlling their emotions, and executing trades with discipline. 

But these ‘born traders’ are few and far between. 

For the vast majority of aspiring traders, your skill in the market needs to be built. 

And with the right guidance, you can acquire the chops you need to crush the options market — just like shooting a jump shot, driving a car, or learning a language.

Who You Are as a Person is Who You Are as a Trader

If you want to be a great trader … you must know thyself.

The traits you exhibit as a person are going to carry over into your trading performance.

Oftentimes, trading is about patience — a trait you need to practice in your everyday life. Allow it to spill over into your trading. 

On the one hand: If you’re a patient person in general, you’ll be far more likely to stay patient when it matters in your trading.

On the other hand: If you’re not a patient person in life — if you’re the person who gets road rage, yells at the TV, etc. — you will be an impatient trader (and it’ll cost you).

Stay cool, calm, and patient — then watch your trading improve exponentially. 

Your Expectations of the Market Will Affect Your Trading Experience

Quick story…

Have you ever tried gazpacho? It’s a soup. 

Now, I don’t know about you, but when I think soup, I think: warm, hearty, cozy, and delicious.

So, you can imagine my shock and disgust when I tried gazpacho — a soup served cold — for the very first time.

I spit it out. Not because it tasted terrible, but because my expectations didn’t match reality.

Well, the same goes for your trading.

If you expect to make 10,000% on your money in a few weeks, you’re gonna be sorely disappointed.

And if you’re not careful, that disappointment can lead to frustration, lack of discipline, and disastrous trading decisions.

But if you keep realistic expectations and set achievable goals, you give yourself room to smash your goals and shatter your expectations to the upside. 

Now, let’s look at:

💰The Biggest Smart-Money Bets of the Day💰

• $2.89 million bearish bet on TEVA 04/19/2024 $13 calls @ $0.85 avg (seen on 3/14)

• $1.75 million bullish bet on PTON 07/19/2024 $6 calls @ $0.46 (seen on 3/14)

• $1.11 million bullish bet on PYPL 05/17/2024 $65 calls @ $4.45 (seen on 3/14)

Happy trading,

Ben Sturgill

P.S. If you want access to more ‘smart money’ sweeps like those…

This SATURDAY, March 16 at 3 p.m. EST — my colleague Danny Phee is hosting an urgent LIVE WEBINAR where he’ll reveal the most promising ‘smart money’ trades we’re seeing this week.

Don’t miss out — CLICK HERE NOW TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT.