Trading Full-Time

Posted on August 7, 2007
Tags: Asia, Living, Day Trading |

A bit of an update on the events of the past few weeks. This is going to be a long and relatively incoherent and mushy post. So be warned.

Not too long ago, about early July, I decided to take the risk and go full-time trading. Just to make things a bit more ‘interesting’ I also threw a relocation into the mix. So in 1 month’s time I’ll be moving to Bangkok, Thailand and trading for a living - or at least attempting to ;-) Several factors have contributed to the decision, amongst them some personal circumstances as well as trading results from this year and a feeling of urgency as my life is moving forward and a small fear creeping in that if I don’t go for it I’ll end up regretting it later in life. I’m therefore giving up a secure and comfortable job in a comfortable and flourishing country I like living in and know very well, a host of very good friends I’ve known for years and are almost like a family to me. In exchange I’m getting a chance at living my dream life as well as a relationship which has developed very nicely over the past 6 months.

Since I made the decision in July I’ve spent countless of hours planning, worrying, jotting down lists, reading forums, researching stuff, being anxious, hopeful, excited, stressed and almost every other possible state of mind. Despite having relocated about 7 times so far between 5 countries this is one of the riskiest moves I’ve made to-date. Stress levels and preparations are therefore at corresponding levels. This state is expected to last for at least another month or so, followed by some euphoric state once the physical move has happened and then to be replaced by a new type of anxiety - performance related.

So there you have it, that’s the plan, that’s where I’m headed, for good and for worse. One of my favourite sayings is: Life is not a dress rehearsal. I try to treat it this way, if I fail, at least I’ll know I’ve tried and I’ll have no regrets. If I succeed, well the personal fulfillment will be unparalleled.

Comments

22 Responses to “Trading Full-Time”

Richard on August 7th, 2007 11:50 am

Sounds great! Will you be doing anything differently, now that you’re full-time? I guess you didn’t have as many time conflicts as US part-timers, so maybe not…

Good luck!
eyal on August 7th, 2007 11:54 am

Thanks. The main things I’m planning on doing differently are not trading related at this point but more lifestyle oriented, such as getting more sleep, an exercise routine, reading more and overall trying to live a more balance life rather than juggling commitments in a crazy way.

I will also have more time to devote to trading R&D which may result in some tweaks but nothing drastic I think.
Carlton on August 7th, 2007 12:31 pm

All the best, I am sure you have made the right decision. I don’t overull doing the same thing myself in a few years’ time.
Dave on August 7th, 2007 12:44 pm

This is quite inspiring, Eyal. Congrats on your trading confidence and decision. It’s great to see your success!
eyal on August 7th, 2007 12:46 pm

Thanks Carlton. Are you going to move back to Bkk?? :-) that would be quite cool.
Carlton on August 7th, 2007 1:09 pm

once you got under your skin… :-) As long as you don’t rely on Thailand for a living, and you stay out of the Thai tax-corporate-employment-social bla bla system, living there can be very pleasant.
yo on August 7th, 2007 2:04 pm

Way cool! I’ve got a feeling it’ll work out great!
Bubs on August 7th, 2007 2:15 pm

Congrats on the move, I’m sure you will have great success trading and in other life adventures.

Bubs
mv on August 7th, 2007 2:19 pm

Behatzlaha eyal!!! You’ll doing fine, I’m pretty sure.
Gav on August 7th, 2007 2:52 pm

So my guess was right. You’ve been traveling to Bangkok so frequent, I was going to ask you if you are setting up a ‘home’ there. Here you go. :-)

All the best to you, Eyal. Keep us updated about your latest relocation, and trading full time.
Eric on August 7th, 2007 4:58 pm

Eyal,
I’ve been reading your site for quite the little while - but congratulations on your decision. I’ll bet your trading and income will jump once you implement those non-trading related, stress-reducing measures.
Eric
Zoomie on August 7th, 2007 6:39 pm

Congrats! What’s better yet is I have a place to stay in Thailand.
Pinoytrader on August 7th, 2007 8:16 pm

Congratulations and best of luck!
eyal on August 7th, 2007 9:07 pm

Thanks everyone for your comments and words of encouragement. I’ll keep the blog updated with how things are going.

Gav- yeah, I’ve been doing some of the ground work in advance for a while. I can’t avoid the heavy planning habits of my previous career as a PM.

Eric - that’s what I’m hoping too, and not just for trading purposes but also for general quality of life.

Zoomie - sure, you’re welcome anytime - at a symbolic cost of 10% of your R’s while you’re there, only the winning R’s of course ;-)
Ugly on August 7th, 2007 11:38 pm

good luck man, I know you can do it.
john on August 8th, 2007 12:37 am

congrats! gl eyal
Caravaggio on August 8th, 2007 7:24 pm

top stuff … all the best with the move and the trading Eyal !
eyal on August 8th, 2007 10:27 pm

Thanks Ugly, John and Caravaggio. Now I just gotta make sure I don’t disappoint you all :-)
Mike Taylor on August 9th, 2007 7:12 am

Congrats! I wish you the very best.

MT
Sharky on August 17th, 2007 6:39 pm

Hi Eyal. Congratulations on making your decision to go full-time. You’ve got the past results, and I’m sure enough of a bank to make a real go of it. All the best.
eyal on August 17th, 2007 9:17 pm

Heya Sharky, how are you? Thanks for the wishes. How are you things with you?
Sharky on August 18th, 2007 5:59 pm

It’s all good down here in (too) sunny Australia. I finally finished that freaking User Manual, and I’ll do my tax this weekend, leaving me all free to start coding TS again. Oooh yeah - I’m a thrill-a-minute kind of guy :-) Looking to get TS downloading stock prices from IB, which you might find useful. Or not.