Mastering the Mental Game of Trading

Mastering the Mental Game of Trading is a groundbreaking exploration of the psychological intricacies that define success in the world of trading.

Drawing on extensive experience as a performance coach and former trader, Goldstein presents powerful models and theories that challenge readers to reflect upon their own mental, emotional and behavioural challenges when engaged in trading.

Goldstein introduces the Performance Process Cycle, a unique framework that serves as a guiding roadmap through a trader’s journey, illuminating the complex interplay between risk, uncertainty, and the human psyche. He also unveils The Two Approaches Theory of Trading, which transforms trading into two distinct practices, each with its own philosophical underpinnings.

This book transcends the typical trading literature, delving deep into the art of achieving high performance in the face of uncertainty. Whether you’re a novice trader seeking to build a solid foundation or a seasoned pro looking to hone your skills, Goldstein’s insights will provoke profound introspection about your own trading behaviours and actions.

Mastering the Mental Game of Trading is your key to unlocking the secrets of trading success in today’s complex markets.

Table of Contents

Part One: Foundational Elements

Chapter 1: The Mental Game – Mastering Your Self, the Key To Trading Mastery

Chapter 2: Introducing the Performance Process Cycle

Chapter 3: The Behavioural Gap

Chapter 4: The Two Risk Approaches – Player Approach Versus House Approach

Chapter 5: The Two Risk Approaches and Trading

Chapter 6: The Two Approaches and the Trader’s Psychological Contract

Chapter 7: Positive Expectancy – Edge

Part Two: The Performance Process Cycle – Quadrant 1

Chapter 8: The ‘Being’ Phase

Chapter 9: Trading, the Ego and the 3Ps of High Performance

Chapter 10: What the Market Wants for You

Chapter 11: The Power of Purpose

Chapter 12: The Trader’s Bargain With Their Self

Chapter 13: Detached Curiosity

Chapter 14: Presence – Your True Self

Chapter 15: Effective Journalling

Part Three: The Performance Process Cycle – Quadrant 2

Chapter 16: The Production Phase

Chapter 17: Preparing to Make an Educated Guess

Chapter 18: The Map Is Not the Terrain

Chapter 19: Our Natural Limitations

Chapter 20: Mental Capital, Time of Day and Decision-Making

Chapter 21: Intuition and Trading

Chapter 22: Learning to Trust Your Intuition

Part Four: The Performance Process Cycle – Quadrant 3

Chapter 23: Meet Radical Uncertainty

Chapter 24: The Performance Phase

Chapter 25: Win or Lose, Everybody Gets What They Want out of the Market

Chapter 26: The Performance Effect

Chapter 27: Results Orientation vs Process Orientation

Chapter 28: Navigating the Performance Phase

Chapter 29: Staying Positive When the Market Wants You to Be Negative

Part Five: The Performance Process Cycle – Quadrant 4

Chapter 30: Letting Go – A Superpower

Chapter 31: Letting Go

Chapter 32: The Reset – Entering the Fertile Void

Chapter 33: Self Compassion – Soft Power

Chapter 34: Developing Your Human Potential

Chapter 35: Becoming Your Best Ally

Chapter 36: That’s a Wrap

About the Author

Steven Goldstein is one of the leading coaches in the financial markets industry. He holds accreditations in coaching and organizational development competencies from several bodies including the European Association of Gestalt Therapists. Prior to becoming a coach, Steven worked for almost 25 years as a trader at some of the world’s leading investment banks. His experience and knowhow endow him with a unique understanding of financial markets, human behaviour, and performance development skills. This, combination enables him to help people in trading and investment make powerful transformations that drive personal growth and improvements in bottom-line results.