Happy Thanksgiving, Evolvers!

Today, I’d like to take a step back and remind myself of the things I’m thankful for.

And on the top of that list is YOU.

I’m blessed to have such dedicated, hardworking and intelligent trading students and I’m honored to be your mentor. 

But that’s not all I’m thankful for…

I have one of the greatest gifts in life — the ability to do the thing I love most for a living.

That’s SO rare, but I don’t say this to brag or take it for granted…

I’m telling you this to motivate you to be the best trader you can be!

With that in mind, allow me to go into further detail about why I’m so thankful to be a professional day trader.

Thankful for Freedom

First, I’m thankful for the freedom that being a trader provides in my personal life. 

Think about it … Right now, I’m taking a Thanksgiving break with my family. 

If I had a normal job, I would’ve had to ask permission to take time off. 

But as a self-sufficient trader, I can choose to work (or vacation) whenever I feel like it. 

I don’t have a boss to answer to, a schedule to adhere to, or an office to go to. 

In other words, I can do whatever I want … whenever I want. 

That’s priceless … and I’m thankful every day for it. 

Thankful for Tim Sykes

My mentor Tim Sykes has taught me more important lessons than I can count, but one sticks out…

Sykes is infamous for trading from his laptop on crystal-clear beaches or in front of gorgeous scenic viewpoints…

But he doesn’t do this to look cool — he does it to prove a valuable point.

Sykes showed me that I could make money from nearly anywhere in the world. All I need is a solid internet connection and a laptop.

When I realized this, I had a big mental breakthrough … an ‘a-ha’ moment. 

The ability to trade from anywhere opened my eyes to the possibilities around me. 

Today, the freedom that trading provides remains one of my favorite parts of the job.

There aren’t many gigs out there that you can do whenever you want from anywhere on the planet. 

I’m thankful to my mentor, Tim Sykes, for showing me how to have one. 

Special Note: Enjoy the Holiday (and Don’t Let Trading Control Your Life)

Even if you’re completely obsessed with the stock market (like me), you’ve gotta find balance in your life. 

Thanksgiving is a good time to remind yourself of this…

NEVER let trading take over your entire life.

Take me, for example…

You’ve all seen how much time I spend on trading and analyzing the markets.

But in the big picture, my time with my family is much more important to me. 

I have a beautiful wife and three young children that mean more to me than any trade or any amount of money ever will.

That’s why I always make sure to take breaks from trading to spend time with them. 

It helps me remember what’s truly important. And even better, it helps my trading.

But I get it. Less-experienced traders may have trouble disconnecting. It was hard for me to rip myself away from the charts when I was first starting as a trader. 

The keyword? FOMO. 

If you have anxiety about taking a break from trading, you’re probably afraid of missing out on some hypothetical monster trade (that has no guarantee of occurring).

I’m here today to calm your fears. There’s nothing wrong with taking a break. On the contrary, it might be just what you need.

A trading vacation can be one of the best times to study and reassess your overall mindset. 

As long as you’re being productive during your break, there’s no reason to have FOMO. And even if you do miss a great trade, you shouldn’t beat yourself up about it…

The stock market will still be there on Monday morning. 

So, if you’re experiencing a slow period of trading, use this Thanksgiving break as an opportunity to rest and recharge.

If you let the stresses of the market invade your personal life — or vice versa — you’re unlikely to realize your full potential.

Live a happy life, remember what’s important, and you’ll be a better trader for it.

Final Thoughts

Have an amazing Thanksgiving break, Evolvers!

We have so much to be thankful for as traders. 

Don’t forget to remind yourself of those things this weekend.