Everyone loves presents on Christmas Day. As a kid, I remember the excitement of running to the den on Christmas to see what Santa brought. What did he leave under the tree? Did he remember the LEGO set I asked for at the last minute? (Sorry, Mom and Dad—maybe taking me to see Santa right before Christmas wasn’t the best idea!)
That pure excitement as a child is something special. But what if you could channel that same joy and anticipation into your life through the stock market?
You see, for me the stock market is very similar to opening presents on Christmas day, even the trades that don't go as I planned. In the spirit of Christmas (this was posted on Christmas Eve) I want to open up this mindset to all of you as well.
The stock market is an incredible vehicle to build wealth. And when you follow the Good Kids Trading way, the profits (or presents, if you will) can bring the same joy and freedom.
Building simple and passive strategies are the real presents in this journey called life. When you start making money in the market while you are focused on the other things in life you too will find the Santa Claus mindset. The excitement and relief of when your money starts working for you!
Creating this mindset really isn't hard from a logical standpoint, but it does require us to rewire our brains and our habits which isn't always easy. Sort of like staying on the nice side of the naughty or nice list as a child.
Patience: Going to fast, trading too much risk, and pushing your expectations are common temptations that lead to bad results. Time, small steps, and practice builds confidence and results. You don't expect a child to go straight to riding a bike without training wheels! Stop trying to trade and invest like you are a BMX stunt rider when you haven't been on a bike in 15 years.
Preparation: Just like Santa checks his list twice, traders need to stick to their plan. Whether it’s rolling options or collecting dividends, strategy beats impulse every time. When you let emotions take over, you've turned trading into gambling.
Discipline: Freedom comes to those who stay the course, even when the market tests their resolve. Staying disciplined isn't always easy, but if you build a strong enough why for what you want to do with the money you are making in the market your WHY becomes strong enough to help you in harder times.
Shiny object Syndrome: Every year some random toy becomes all the rage. And everyone has to have it, but in truth that shiny object is nothing more than you falling into the comparison trap. Same thing with the market... High-yield dividends and “hot stocks” are the Stanly cup of trading. EVERYONE wants one, but as soon as it comes time to clean that thing... All of a sudden you start regretting ever buying it.
Decisions out of Fear: Don’t trade out of fear. Have you seen the videos of the Grinch stealing all the presents? The sheer panic on the children's faces? You might think it's silly as an adult, but then you panic sell a stock that has bad news, or you panic and close covered calls for big losses instead of following your plan. Don't let the grinch (or emotions) steal your Santa mindset.
Presents you don't want:
We all have gotten that candle for Christmas, no doubt a regift. Sometimes trades don't work out, sorta like a present none of us want. Dealing with losing positions aren’t always lumps of coal—they are part of the process. At GKT we like dividend stocks, and we like selling premium because they help us when we think we're about to unwrap a nice watch and instead we end up with an electronic thesaurus. Here’s how to reframe bad trades:
Dividends as Stocking Stuffers
Each payout is a gift, reinvesting itself into a brighter future. Don’t ignore their quiet power.
Rolling for Hope (Opportunity)
Like regifting, rolling options takes something stagnant and gives it new life. Collect credits, extend time, and position yourself for success.
The Magic of Time
Just as Santa works year-round for one night, the market works its magic over time. Belief isn’t just for kids—it’s for traders who know that patience builds wealth.
The True Gift of Trading
As adults, Christmas isn’t just about the presents—it’s about the joy and freedom of giving and enjoying watching others excitement. The stock market offers the same: a chance to unwrap freedom, to turn money into a tool instead of a goal, and the most passive way to make income.
This holiday season, ask yourself: Do I have a mindset to set me up for success? Are my trades setting me up for longer-term joy? The Good Kids Trading way isn’t just about profits; it’s about building a life you don’t need a vacation from. That's my Christmas wish for all of you!
Merry Christmas and Happy Trading Good Kids,
-$Maxwell
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