Why Trade Commodities Futures?

I have finally decided to write about my experience with day trading commodities futures. I trade futures full time and look forward to share my ideas and methods with anybody who is seeking for an honest view of this profession. This short article though, is about the Reasons for becoming a Futures Trader. You see, I strongly believe if you have a strong reason to accomplish something, the method or strategy will show itself up soon enough. Most traders I talk to often give me a predictable answer to this question: Make $$! The problem with this answer is, you can make money in a million ways, why trade futures? Another problem is, trading futures is really hard and most people will give up too easily in the early stages of their learning curve because they do not see the money they envisioned when they started.

So why do I trade Futures? (1) Freedom: Trading Futures is a good fit for me as it gives me a lot of spare time to spend with my wife and 2 daughters. It also does not bind me down to customers, contractors, suppliers and other stakeholders if I were to operate as a traditional business owner. (2) Mastery: All of us have a sense deep down that we can really be good at something, if only we knew what it was. For me, my passion for trading is like my passion for playing the guitar: I really want to get it right to feel a sense that I am fulfilling the potential that I know is within me. I enjoy making money but I derive as much satisfaction by seeing the patterns work out the way I envisioned in my head. (3) Purpose: Since becoming a father, I found a purpose in life that goes beyond myself. I want to pass on qualities like discipline, patience, decisiveness, strength, perseverence and humility to my children. Trading trains and forces me to acquire and develop these qualities so that my children can truly view me as a role model and hero.

So that's it. How about your reasons for trading? Do not read another book or attend another webinar/tradeshow before you answer this question. The road to trading success is long and dangerous - if your reasons are not compelling enough, you will give up.

Cheers and happy trading.