Emotions Are Data
Emotions themselves are not the problem — reacting to them without awareness is. Learn to notice the emotion, name it, and then choose whether to act.
Common Patterns
- Excitement before entry → oversized
- Anxiety after entry → moving stop away
- Regret after loss → chasing next trade
- Frustration after slow session → forcing setups
Techniques
- **STOP** protocol: Stop, Take a breath, Observe, Proceed with plan
- **If-Then** rules: "If I feel excitement about a setup, then I halve my size"
- **Physical resets**: stand, water, walk
- **Meditation / breathwork** outside market hours
Key Takeaways
- Emotions cannot be eliminated, only managed.
- Awareness + rules beat willpower.
- The best trades often feel boring.