Walk in the Woods

Nik Curfman 12/8/20 Nik Curfman 12/8/20

Journal: #141 Career Changes

The time is right, and marketing is not my future. To clarify, I enjoy marketing and the life it affords me, but the idea of being a project manager is boring. If I view my time in marketing as a place to learn how to trade and develop my portfolio of funds, I’ll survive.

When I was a kid, I loved opening the newspaper to the Business section. I usually skipped over the reports and went straight to the columns and rows of tiny numbers. They were so neat and orderly. In a way I couldn’t articulate at the time, I knew those numbers told a story, and I was eager to read it.

My interest in the stock market and trading is of my origin, meaning I gravitated to it of my own volition. Since I am over 40, and still interested in it, I aim to do something about it- to scratch the itch if you will.

No Time Like The Present

A week ago I sat down to begin a module on “Content Marketing.” I’m taking classes to help me improve what I do and my value to the company. Halfway through I had a thought,”why don’t I learn about something I love, like stock investing?” The real question is what took me so long to ask? LOL. I don’t know, but I’m here now.

Eyes Open, Proper Expectations

It’s a bonus that I’m old enough to heed the wisdom of others, and I have time to pick up a new trade. I’ll need both. Trading options is not for the greedy or ignorant. Modern day traders need discipline and a refined strategy to make money from market gyrations. It’s not about buying low and selling high, but reading the signals and deploying the best strategy on a given day. The pros make money coming and going.

What I Learned From Poker

I expect to lose money, especially early. Every craft requires a learning curve, and this is no different. However, and not to be arrogant, I think I have what it takes to be a professional trader.

For twenty years, I’ve developed some mad poker skills. I can remember the last game I lost, but I think it was in 2013. Even then, I didn’t lose a lot. I played in a weekly tournament and routinely finished in the top three of a group of serious players. Oh, you want to know how this applies? I get it.

Poker is not about bluffs, tells, or whatever crap you see in movies. Serious poker players play the odds and watch the cards. We know if I flopped four-of-a-kind, then all I’ve got to do is slow play the pot to make as much money as possible. Likewise, I might have two high pairs. a pair of Aces and Kings. Yet…that’s a weak hand, easily beaten by three two’s.

Poker is about discipline and sticking to a strategy. Most importantly, it’s about getting out of a hand when you know you’re beat. Lose a little, stay in the game. Lose a lot, no more game. It’s called chasing, and I see it every time I sit down to play.

How It Applies

I don’t chase. I play probabilities. When the odds aren’t in my favor, I fold. Then, it’s onto the next hand. I find having a short memory helps, win or lose.

Whenever I read about what day traders do and strategies they use, they could interchange the word “stock” for “cards.” The pros talk about discipline and taking small wins. As one man put it, “A successful trading day is not when you make a load of money, but when you stick to your strategy.” I’m down for that life. I’ll take small wins over the prestige of “hitting it big.” Most people who try to go hard usually end up losing big.

I’m not sure how long this career shift will take. My first guess is it’ll take me two years to fund, learn, and begin to be a successful options trader. Then maybe by year five, I’ll be in the money- like this-is-my-job money.

So…yeah. Get ready for those periodic updates, and Lord…bless me with patience and willingness to learn from my mistakes.