Like traders, top athletes compete and practice their sport day after day. Like traders, top athletes have good days and not so good days. Here’s an insightful comment by an elite tennis player after winning an important match in which she didn’t feel 100% (emphasis added in bold):
Actually, mentally I’ve been going well from every match, I’ve been unbelievable. Probably stronger and stronger considering I didn’t play my best and didn’t feel great really, but kept on going with my head. So that’s what pulled me through today.
Even though she “didn’t feel great” she was able to play well and win the match. One of the hallmarks of a champion is playing well enough to win despite feeling poorly. How do they do this? Note that this tennis player attributes her success to her mental skills – as she said, she “kept on going with my head.”
Recent research shows that how we feel inside has little bearing on our performance. We can feel nervous, tense, and even scared, yet still perform well. Athletes and their sport psychologists know this and incorporate specific mental skills in their training. One way they do this is to adopt the role of the Observer.
Anyone can observe what their mind is saying to them and how they feel. As you read this article, you can–in your mind’s eye–observe yourself reading and thinking about this article. Try it for a moment. You’ve just taken on the role of the Observer!
The Observer notices how poorly one may feel, but also knows that the goal of winning the match is important. Rather than placing attention on the discomforts, the Observer accepts the discomfort and chooses to play anyway. Attentional focus is redirected to the task-at-hand.
For traders, embracing the Observer will help improve your trading. As the Observer, you can stand apart from your internal processes such as negative thoughts, unwanted feelings, and uncomfortable physical sensations. You notice these things as they occur but choose not to center your attention on them. The alternative of engaging your negative thoughts and feelings only serves to magnify them and cause distractions. Then, you become vulnerable to trading your emotions. Adopting the role of the Observer can help you make the choice to refocus back to what’s most important to you – managing the trade at hand.
Learning the role of the Observer takes practice. Like building muscle, the more you consistently do it, the better you will be at it. And, you can do it anywhere. For example, after a meal, wash your dishes. Be attentive to actually washing the dish. As the Observer, notice when your mind wanders. Then reorient to the task-at-hand. Look for other opportunities in your daily life to practice noticing, observing, and refocusing your attention.
Adopting the role of the observer comes from cutting-edge human performance psychology.
This report is prepared solely for information and data purposes. Opinions, estimates and projections contained herein are those of FXTechstrategy.com own as of the date hereof and are subject to change without notice. The information and opinions contained herein have been compiled or arrived at from sources believed to be reliable but no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to their accuracy or completeness and neither the information nor the forecast shall be taken as a representation for which FXTechstrategy.com incurs any responsibility. FXTstrategy.com does not accept any liability whatsoever for any loss arising from any use of this report or its contents. This report is not construed as an offer to sell or solicitation of any offer to buy any of the currencies referred to in this report.
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD rises to 1.1800 neighborhood amid renewed USD selling and trade uncertainties
The EUR/USD pair regains positive traction during the Asian session on Wednesday and jumps to the 1.1800 neighborhood in the last hour, reversing the previous day's modest losses. The intraday move up is sponsored by the emergence of fresh US Dollar, which continues to be weighed down by persistent trade-related uncertainties.
GBP/USD remains stronger above 1.3500 following Trump’s State of the Union
GBP/USD remains in the positive territory for the fourth successive session, trading around 1.3510 during the Asian hours on Wednesday. The pair appreciates as the US Dollar remains subdued following US President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union address of his second administration before a joint session of Congress.
USD/JPY bounces back toward 156.00 as Japanese Yen weakens
USD/JPY rebounds toward 156.00 in the Asian session on Wednesday, eyeing two-week highs of 156.28 reached after reports that Japan’s PM wants the BoJ to go slow on future rate hikes weighed on the Japanese Yen. Meanwhile, the nomination of new BoJ board members revives Japanese Yen sellers even as Trump's State of the Union address dents the US Dollar.
Editors’ Picks
AUD/USD rises above 0.7100 after Trump's SOTU
AUD/USD extends gains to retake 0.7100 following the release of Australian consumer inflation figures, which back the RBA's hawkish tilt and boost the Australian Dollar amid a positive risk tone. The pair also benefits from a modest US Dollar downtick, induced by Trump's State of the Union address.
USD/JPY bounces back toward 156.00 as Japanese Yen weakens
USD/JPY rebounds toward 156.00 in the Asian session on Wednesday, eyeing two-week highs of 156.28 reached after reports that Japan’s PM wants the BoJ to go slow on future rate hikes weighed on the Japanese Yen. Meanwhile, the nomination of new BoJ board members revives Japanese Yen sellers even as Trump's State of the Union address dents the US Dollar.
Gold re-attempts $5,200 amid tariffs and geopolitical woes
Gold buyers are back in the game early Wednesday after seeing a correction from monthly highs on Tuesday. The US Dollar slips after Trump’s SOTU fails to impress and as AI-driven worries ease. Dovish Fed bets also weigh. Gold looks north so long as the key 61.8% Fibo resistance at $5,142 holds on the daily chart.
Bitcoin, Ethereum and Ripple post cautious recovery amid downside risks
Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple are posting a cautious recovery on Wednesday following a market correction earlier this week. BTC is approaching a key breakdown level, while ETH and XRP are rebounding from crucial support levels.
The Citrini report: How a debatable AI narrative can shake Wall Street Premium
That AI-related headline alone was enough to rattle investors.US stocks slid sharply on Monday after a widely circulated Citrini Research memo outlined a hypothetical “2028 Global Intelligence Crisis”, warning that rapid AI adoption could push US unemployment into double digits as early as by mid-2028.
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