i_rabbit

I’ve been reading a few books that I never have thought I’d be into - I mean these are financial, business and marketing topics - that I have generally been somewhat standoffish about. I once abandoned a marketing minor in college after derailing a scheduled twenty minute lecture on propaganda that turned into a week long debate about the social justification and responsibility (or lack thereof) in the world of ‘business’. But I digress…

In short I have come to realize that these are only techniques, much like say, Kung-Fu. Sure I can kill with my bare hands, and learn to do it with utmost efficiency, but I can also, with discipline and honor, use the same techniques toward virtuous ends. One thing all of these books (re)emphasize is the importance of knowing yourself, what motivates you, and what you really hope to accomplish, before ever taking a step toward that goal. This is not to say that you shouldn’t take action until you have it all figured out. Rather, that the discipline of asking the question can reveal the best path of action. Otherwise your mileage may vary, subject to tax and fees, other terms and conditions may apply…

From his book; The Brand You 50 : Or : Fifty Ways to Transform Yourself from an ‘Employee’ into a Brand That Shouts Distinction, Commitment, and Passion!, I present Tom Peters in a nutshell:

Know Who You Are.
Know Why You Are Here.
Know How You Are Unique.
Know How You Can Make a Difference.
Know Who Cares.
Know Whether Or Not You Care.

Recommended Reading:

• The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss
• The Brand You 50 : Or : Fifty Ways to Transform Yourself from an ‘Employee’ into a Brand That Shouts Distinction, Commitment, and Passion! by Tom Peters
• Simpleology: The Simple Science of Getting What You Want by Mark Joyner

AKA - Trading my way to financial freedom.

So what does one do when one comes into some money? The ’safe’ thing to do would be to invest it. The ’smart’ thing to do would be to use it to make more money. This is what separates an investor from a trader. Right now I am playing it both ways by putting my money in the hands of a competent investor who also is a competent trader and mentor. He is showing me the ropes and showing me how I too can learn to trade my way to financial freedom. By the way, that is the title of my first ‘textbook’ on the subject; Van Tharp’s “Trade Your Way to Financial Freedom“. Great read so far and I also highly recommend  Curtis Faith’s  “The Way of the Turtle“, which I liked so much I cribbed the title for a new category.

I haven’t made any trades yet, nor do I plan to for a while, but I am watching the moves of my mentor, studying theory, and contemplating the pros and cons of various systems used by traders.

One thing that I have heard in common from all these sources is that trading is mostly simple to understand and difficult to execute. This is because most good traders will tell you that it is psychology that separates the successful from the broke.

My mentor tells me that my software testing background, combined with my philosophical and spiritual views, should take me a long way toward actually achieving my goals of financial independence.

I plan to share all my own experiences along the way in this new category; “Way of the Turtle.”