02/15/2014: Olympic Lesson From Shaun White

My wife and I enjoy watching the winter Olympics together.  I really like to watch the snowboarding competitions.  Like the rest of the US, I was cheering on Shaun White, hoping he would be the first snowboarder to bring home gold for 3 consecutive Olympics.

The conditions weren't the best and although he gave it his best, he had a bad run on his last attempt.  Sadly Shaun was unable to bring home the gold.  He didnt' even bring home a medal, placing 4th in the half pipe competition.

"I'm disappointed," White said. "I hate the fact I nailed it in practice, but it happens. It's hard to be consistent."   

But, when asked if he would be competing in the 2018 Olympics he said "I think so".   After 4 years of training for these Olympics, Shaun didn't bring home the gold.  But, he is not giving up.  He will be going right back to training and will be back in 4 years.  I will be there to watch him and hope that next time everything works out for him.  I admire him for his talent and perseverance.  Go Shaun!

So, I took away a big lesson from this.  No matter how well you prepare and practice, there will be times when things just don't go your way.  Maybe you are doing all the right things but conditions aren't just right.  I will apply this lesson to my trading and to life in general.  There will be times when the conditions aren't just right and I will fall.  But like Shaun White, I just need to get back up and head to the top of the hill for another run and keep chasing the gold.

"Here's to your success"

Bill McManus

02/08/2014: Challenges continue

I am still facing challenges but doing better to have the right attitude.  I have still not had the opportunity to review my goals with Greg.  The week after we had our last session he was in South Africa.  The week after he was in Morocco.  This week he is in Australia on a speaking tour.  I have to understand that he is a busy man.  I will do my best to set-up some time with him next week as I do not believe he is traveling.

Trading: Trading has been a mental struggle.  Why?  Well, not due to major losses, just due to the lack of trading opportunities for the last 2 weeks.  The number of potential trades has been low for the last 2 weeks.  But, I have to realize that I cannot force trades.  The set-ups are either there or they aren't.  The idea is to avoid losses by only taking good set-ups.  An exercise in patience.  I am taking it as a challenge to grow further.

week of 01/16: 9 pending trades placed, only 1 of the 9 triggered for a small loss.

week of 01/23: 8 pending trades placed, only 1 of the 8 triggered 

Mentoring:  With mentoring being one of my goals, I started to mentor others through the icouldbe organization.   I am now mentoring under-privileged kids through Icouldbe.org (www.icouldbe.org) I am currently mentoring 2 students in their academics and planning for the future.  I am doing my best to pass on what I  learn from Greg nd others like Trevor Kearney, a new friend I met in th UK.  Trevor is a very successful man and also mentors children.  

Writing:  One of my other goals was to write my first children's book. With the lack of trade opportunities I have made quite a bit of progress on this book.  The book is to be the first in a series.  It is called Doran's Doorway Adventures.  I will finish this book this year and see what happens..

"Here's to your success"

Bill McManus

02/02/2014: Goals for 2014

As requested, I have sent my 2014 Goals to Greg.  He asked for: What I want to be, What I want to do and at I want to have.  My goals for 2014 are as follows:

For 2014….

Who Do I Want To Be?

1)     A Positive Person

2)     Healthy and Fit

3)     An inspiration to others

4)   A better all round person than I was on 1/1/2014

What Do I Want To Do?

1)     Maintain a positive outlook and positive self-talk and image

2)     Volunteer/Inspire: mentoring (icouldbe.org) 50+ hours for 2014

3)     Only take good trade set-ups.  Focus on trading plan!

4)     Begin to “brand” and build a significant following for The Making of a Millionaire

a.      Get a good website w/ email capture capability set-up

b.     Blog and post videos regularly

c.      Engage others in online success forums etc.

5)     Attain a good level of Physical Fitness

a.      Lose 40 pounds

b.     Exercise daily

c.      Lift weights 3+ days a week to tone up

6)     Complete 5-6 chapters of Making of a Millionaire

7)     Sell my old home

8)     Complete first children’s book: Dolan’s Doorway Adventures #1

9)     Disney Trip with family for Colin’s graduation (1 ^st week of December)

What Do I Want To Have?

      1)    Peace of mind.  Freedom from money and job worries.

      2)    Pride in my achievements for the year


"Here's to your success"

Bill McManus

01/25/2014: Better Week

Just a quick update.  This last week was a better week.  My trading improved and I regained most of my lost profits.  I have a better overall attitude as well.  I am still facing a lot of issues in my job and in my personal life.  But I am looking at these obstacles as a test and I am doing my best to learn to deal with them  and work through them and grow from them.  It's all about attitude.





"Heres to your success"

Bill McManus