Transformation – What is it?
Transform: To change markedly the appearance, form, nature, function, or condition—usually for the better.
Transformation is an interesting phenomenon. In the transformation process, your external circumstances may not change at all. That is, you may still be a trader, trading the same markets with the same system. Yet somehow, your experience of trading seems different. Why?
Transformation occurs as you break down your boundaries of who you “think you are” and expand them. For example, as you go through the process of releasing the feelings or emotions that you have stored deep inside, transformation can occur. As you develop useful beliefs about yourself, the transformation process will occur. As you move from relying on beliefs that you have learned and feel protective about i.e. “this is just the way it is” and move to relying on what you instinctively “know” deep inside - transformation will be occurring. As you move through the process of self-discovery, and learn more about yourself, you will start to transform.
Transformation doesn’t just happen to you (although it can, but this is usually when life changing events occur). It takes work and an ongoing commitment from you. Ultimately, this means that you will trade better because you will trade with less ego involvement.
But most importantly, transformation means that your entire life will move forward. The circumstances that surround you will not necessarily change, but how they appear to you and how you respond to them will be significantly different.
Comments
Dear Van,
that's a wonderful article. Sounds really good to me that there are more roads than just one to transformation... and gives me the hope that transformation is possible in any age, you don't have to be in your teenage years. That's really a good message.
Best greetings
Gabriele
Posted by: Gabriele | October 30, 2006 10:18 PM
Dr. Tharp,
I was so pleased to find your web site. I have been away from trading for many years. I used to read your articles in Stocks & Commodities magazine and always enjoyed them. Your article on transformation strikes me, since I am returning to trading after about ten years (really, more like 20 since I really traded regularly).
What success I have had in the past was luck, although I did not realize it at the time, not until the mistakes that allowed for my "success" caught up with me.
After so long away from the markets - having had quite a roller-coaster ride while trading - I am most interested, yet a bit fearful, to learn how I may have changed as a trader.
I know that in the 20 or so years since I traded actively, I have changed as a person, but it is only in the last two-to-three years that I have felt like I could refer to it as a "transformation". (guess it comes with the territory of getting older).
I know that as I approach the markets from a distance (I have not yet opened an account - I am still dusting off my old work and putting together a trading plan that suits me), I find that I do feel like I am near a high-voltage wire. I have a healthy respect for my response to the market, as it has often surprized and dissappointed me!
So, I am very happy to find this spot where I have someone to remind me of what I consider to be the meaningful part of trading, learning about myself.
-Dave
Posted by: Dave | November 25, 2006 04:43 AM