BarroMetrics Views: The Trader and Productivity

An overlooked element for success in trading/investing is how we manage our time to produce optimum results i.e. how productive we are in what we do. As a mentor/coach I have heard time and again, the refrain: “I did not have enough time to do a full analysis but the trade looked too good to pass”.

That comment of itself does not mean an unsuccessful trader uttered it. Research now shows that many of us act first and evaluate later. This important thing is to make the evaluation at some point - either before or immediately after acting. The former implies a more structured process for decision-making; the latter implies a more free-flowing style.

That said, it’s important for both styles that a context is maintained - the ‘background’ of a trade is what grounds our present tense decision-making process. So it is important to schedule and organise our day. This is where productivity management becomes important. This  used to be called ‘time management’ but it became clear that what we our managing is our relationship with time to produce a desired result. It’s not just about being efficient (doing what we do well) but about being effective (achieving the results we want).

I was lucky - I learned the difference between being effective from being efficient at an early age; through the years I have expended time, money and effort to be as effective as I can be. So when I took Diane Pettie’s ‘Productivity Bootcamp‘, I was not looking for any quantum improvements but incremental ones.

So, imagine my surprise when the program probably resulted in some massive changes. I say probably because just having completed the course, I need to think through the major insights. But if my gut feel is correct, the course will have produced a major change. Part of the change comes from the content - the course has some unique approaches. But I suspect that a major part comes from Diana’s sincerity and commitment to deliver the best she can for her charges. And because of her ability, her commitment gave me a major prize.

So, if you are looking for a way to be more effective, wander over to her site and have a gander.

USUAL DISCLAIMER In this time of affiliate selling, it’s probably more important than ever to state that I receive no gain, financial or otherwise, from my endorsement of the Bootcamp. I pass on the comments because I found the course to be of great benefit. In this case, I expect even greater benefits to accrue with the passing of time. 

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