As some of you may know I have recently finished the 75 Hard Challenge. I did this challenge for a few different reasons, which I'll go into detail below and how I think it "can" be very beneficial for traders.
( As you are reading this blog replace some of the to do items with trading related items such as following your rules etc. etc.)
What is the 75 Hard Challenge?
75 Hard, is a 75 day challenge to help you gain mental toughness and mental fortitude. At first to many will look at this challenge as if it is like a diet and a part of it is a diet. The reason being is sticking to a diet is hard, sticking to a diet among all the others things you have to do is even harder. So what do you have to do?
For 75 days straight you have to do the following:
Stick to a diet, it can be ANY diet but it can't be filled with junk food. No cheat meals.
No alcohol
Read 10 pages in a non fiction book, ideally a book that will help you become a better person.
Progress picture, every day.
Work out twice a day. Each workout needs to be a continuous 45 minute workout. One of your workouts HAS to be done outside.
Drink a gallon of water a day.
On top of the items above, if you miss one item for the day you go back to 0. Doesn't matter if you make it to day 74 and forget to drink your water, your going back.
Many people will look at this a think, " What does this have to do with trading"?
This has everything to do with trading! Trading is about 90% mental 8% skill and 2% luck. This challenge is meant to turn you into a mental badass. How many times are you not being consistent in your trading? How many times do you not follow your rules or get into a trade when you know you shouldn't be in a trade?
The goal is to do these tasks and let me tell you, it's going to suck! Especially when it pouring down rain and in the mid 30's but you have to power on.
Just like in trading, when a great setup turns into a losing trade. What are you going to do quit, or put your head down and do what needs to be done?
By doing stuff that sucks, your mental toughness will improve greatly. Did I want to wake up at 6:30 and go workout in the cold or go to the gym at 10 pm after trading all day... hell no! But I did it anyway!
All these ideas can easily be applied to trading, but before we get into that lets look at some pros and cons of doing this challenge.
Cons:
Your going to be tired and sore for a good part of this.
People are going to laugh at you and tell you, your crazy.(This might be a pro.)
It's going to be one of the hardest things you've done.
There is always going to be a reason not to do something that is hard. In trading you risk your hard earned money everyday and that in itself is extremely hard to do.
Pros:
You'll get in much better shape.
You will have that " aha moment", when you realize how strong you've become not only physically but mentally as well.
Afterwards you'll see that YOU have been the one holding yourself back because you didn't want to do the hard stuff.
By reading 10 pages a day you'll learn many new things.
Your tolerance for BS from you and others will go to zero, due to the fact you know what really needs to be done and you know YOU can get it done.
Not to mention you'll feel like a bad ass ( once you get over being sore )
I could go on and on about the pro's but to keep it simple, it will improve many aspects of your life IF you do it properly.
What Does This Have to do With Trading?
Everything! It has everything to do with trading. Trading is mainly a mental game and to succeed you are going to need to be an absolute mental badass.
What if every time you broke your trading rules your account went back to zero? You probably wouldn't break your rules anymore.
What if you stopped making excuses with your trading and admitted to yourself that YOU keep messing up, or YOU aren't putting in the work YOU know YOU need to be doing to reach your goals. YOU would stop making those excuses and get to work!
As I tell all the coaching members, being consistent 24/7 is much easier to do then only being consistent for 1-4 hours a day while you trade. This challenge brings being consistent and mental toughness into one.
For many people this will sound crazy or they will feel like they are being picked on but in reality a little tough love is exactly what they need.
If you want something you've never had you must be willing to do something you've never done, it's that simple!
In summary, put the work in become a mental badass and it will hopefully have a life changing effect.
What do you think?
Disclaimer, consult a doctor, be smart and don't workout outside in extreme weather conditions. Gorilla Futures and those associated with Gorilla Futures are NOT liable for your choices.