“They make it look so easy!” is the best way to describe kung fu masters in action. The way they effortlessly combine powerful punches and swift roundhouse kicks not only captures our imagination but also inspires us to dream. We tell ourselves that perhaps we too, can become masters like them if we keep our sights set on the desired destination.
But the truth is, successful people seldom focus on the destination. It’s all about the journey. The same applies to personal branding or trading. Knowing that ‘life is a journey and not a destination’ is a solid foundation to build from, and one that I believe can help you achieve more.
Brand-building is a journey. It’s about communicating and delivering your brand clearly to each person you interact with. Each interaction is an opportunity to build your visibility and credibility. Brand-building is also about consistency. People need to know what they can expect from you, so be sure to deliver the real ‘you’ all the time. Building a brand also requires strong positive habits such as not succumbing to impulses or behaving rashly.
I’ve come across many people who believe trading is a get-rich-quick scheme. They make some money in the beginning and then they lose it all in the end. They become frustrated and disillusioned. You do not just become a successful trader because you ‘want to’. You become one because you’re interested and passionate about trading and you want to put in the necessary time and effort to develop your trading skills. The potential of trading to make you a lot of money needs to be an afterthought, not an all-consuming goal.
Your ultimate goal as a trader should be to become the most profitable trader you can possibly become. If you genuinely do that, and ‘ignore’ the addiction to trading, the money will ironically begin to become attracted to your trading account. Most top Forex traders view trading as a challenge and a passion, something they love. If the challenge of trading does not excite you, does not make you passionate about becoming a good trader, then trading is not for you.
It really is no different from any other profession or specialised skill in the world. Take an astronaut, for example. Stepping onto the moon looks simple, but it requires many years of rigorous training to achieve such an amazing feat. The same goes for driving. Basically, it’s just turning the wheel and stepping onto the brake and accelerator. However, you need to be very knowledgeable about the traffic lights, road conditions and the car’s engine in order to drive.
Similarly, Forex trading essentially revolves around buying low and selling high, but it takes years of experience to identify and take advantage of an opportunity when it presents itself. As a trader, I’ve learned to embrace every step of my journey and to consistently do my homework without fail. Through the ups and downs of my path thus far, my passion for what I do has only grown.
I’ll leave you with one last piece of advice. Just remember that it takes a lot of training and discipline to become a kung fu master. So get out there and enjoy the journey!
Authored by Kenneth Kam
Produced by Callio Media