(Updated Dec 2012)
Every now and then, I get a question that brings me into deep introspection – and get the waterworks going! A trader in one of the groups I frequent, asked me this – “how does it feel to be successful in life?”.
Since he asked me the question, I would have to define what that success means for me. Not everyone has the same idea. You know what I mean, right?! But I would go with a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson (great guy, I’m sure you know him – if not – there’s Google!)
“To laugh much; to win respect of intelligent persons and the affections of children; to earn the approbation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give one’s self; to leave the world a little better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition.; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm, and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived–this is to have succeeded.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Wouldn’t it be awesome to tick all that! I can fairly say, I am close!
After all, as life stories go, I had quite a struggle (but still count myself luckier than most) — arriving in Australia with 2 luggage and a box with a second hand rice cooker, 3 years that my husband (an engineer) couldn’t find work, parents’ and relatives needing monthly support, I couldn’t even have a child given a stressful job, even with the help of a fertility doctor (the saddest part!). That was an old life, that I traded to…
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PERSONAL JOYS
Years of persistent study and commitment to trading and investing had allowed me to trade up my life. So please allow me to share my joys ….
Like yesterday, as I was walking along a path with my 3rd child, a 2 -year-old, I took a photo of a lavender bush laden with flowers, and she plucked some (I didn’t see her do it, promise!) and I was able to capture a moment when she looked at them with wonder and excitement 🙂
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To have the time to enjoy the outdoors, on a week day, to appreciate and delight looking up to a beautiful blue sky.
To be with my parents and sisters living afar, to have sung and played with the whole clan in our island hometown, fresh seafood (my favorites!) all day, and proud moments of contribution to society launching my book! Plus enjoying the company of lifelong friends.
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INVESTING AND TRADING
On the trading and investing, especially in the last few years, soundly beating market performance since the GFC (Global Financial Crisis) — when the funds managed by big money managers funds fell 30-60% my decisive action from April 2008 on my retirement fund not only preserved it but also gained. Just look at the charts!
Goldman Sachs, Vanguard and UBS Funds:
These funds profiles (that I got from my company fund manager portals) show that since the Global Financial Crisis — if you lost money back at the “bottom” in Sept 2008, you are back to where you started – after nearly 4 years!
PERSONAL INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
Retirement Acct 2012
Referring to the above chart, you would see that during the GFC, my fund had preserved its value and, in the course of the four years, it has increased its value, from my approximation, the fund gained by 20%. The chart would include my contributions, but I did not contribute for 1 year as I was on maternity leave, and also put in small amounts as I have just been working 3 days a week. If you have any questions, put a comment below!
For my short-term trades, one of the highlights was a gain of 800% or 8R trade one of the few I did last year as I was writing the book! Read about it here!
Here also is my trading performance of trades discussed in this blog for period Apr-Aug 2012. Yes, that period when markets were falling once again due to the EU/ Greek debt issues. Note the high gains (312% of amount risked) and win rates (75%) achieved while ensuring the losses are kept small. These are Options trades, but for those trading in stocks, I would like to assure you that the same trading system, position sizing, discipline and mindset can be used to achieve the same results in the stockmarket.
Trading Results - Apr - Aug
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NEW DREAMS
Now, the thing with life, is that when you achieve success, you are faced with new challenges. Take the legendary rock star trader George Soros and legendary investor 3rd richest man Warren Buffett on how they have used their wealth and set in motion a grand plan to benefit humanity past their own lives here on earth, as there is still so much poverty, and pain.
I also have new dreams. For one, I’d like live to for more than 100 years! 🙂 as I have many things to do. Enjoying my children’s children (no pressure…), reaching out to other women with the book, stepping up to daytrading and forex, plus I’d love to have “waterworks” (of the fun kind!) that my children and I are dreaming up, and of course my island home where I can trade the financial markets of the world. (Cool huh!)
Abundance and love!
http://georgesoros.com/
