What Does Surfing Have To Do With Trading

Thank Bill for his comment and interested analogy on surfing and trading:

I share your apparent struggle with the 'I'm a trader so I need to
trade' impulse, as I'm sure all traders do. It's only recently that
I've become marginally comfortable with the idea that it's ok not to
surf every wave that comes my way.

Feeling 'in-sync' or 'out
of sync' with the market is analogous to catching a wave for a fat ride
or missing a wave that might have either given you a fat ride … or,
ground your face into the ocean floor.

As you know, trading for
trading's sake is dangerous … and so unnecessary. Yet, all traders
have to deal with what to do with their feelings of frustration. I
mean, how long can a surfer sit on his stupid board and watch waves
pass by?

The fact is, traders can't make the market send them
decent set-ups anymore than surfers can make Mother Nature send decent
waves.

Basically, it's an emotional battle. Traders want to make
something happen … but, the reality is, traders can only ride the
waves that are sent their way. The trader's real job is to be
sufficiently alert and aware to recognize a good wave when as it
approaches and to position himself to catch the ride before the swell
rolls past.

Then, of course, there's gratitude. Gratitude that
Mother Nature gave you 12 pips rather than grind your face into the
ocean floor.

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