If we were to investigate the daily P&L of an emotionally intelligent trader, we would find occasions of trading actively and occasions of standing back. We would see periods of high-risk taking and periods of caution. All markets are not created equal: some bring more opportunity, some less. The self-aware trader knows when “it’s my market” and goes into opportunity-seeking mode. The same trader knows when “it’s not” my market and preserves capital.

Dr. Brett Steenbarger