The Mental Strategies of Top Traders: The Psychological Determinants of Trading Success

Chapter 2. Planning for Action: The Importance of Goal-Directedness

Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.

—W. H. Murray, Scottish Himalayan Expedition leader

I find a lot of inspiration in this quote from the Scottish Himalayan Expedition's leader, W. H. Murray, about the power of taking action toward specific objectives. This is the way humans first learn to do most things in life, by deliberately planning every move. When a toddler learns to walk, each step is tentative. He must think about every move. When a teenager learns to drive, each decision is conscious—turn on the ignition, put the car in gear, press the gas slowly.... To learn sports and then to play at maximum levels, athletes consciously and deliberately perform each action. Eventually, however, toddlers, teenagers, and athletes, as well as traders, begin to perform seemingly difficult ...