JP Spears is famous for his humor. However, before he found this "character," he made his money as a spiritual coach. One step under the surface, I believe there are a few consistent hidden messages in his humor.
The first hidden message is to let go of what served you that no longer serves you.This is also a key to profitable trading. The market doesn't care what your favorite trade looks like. Nor does it care whether you're comfortable, or how you made money in the past.
You have to be more committed to your results than you are attached to your process.
Many times, your favorite practice is more beneficial to you as a nightlight, which keeps you comfortable, rather than as an alpha-generating strategy, tactic, or technique.
The second hidden message in JP Sears' humor is to look for happiness where it is, not where it isn't. This also is a key to trading. It doesn't make sense to look for a good trade in a bad market. The key is to understand where your edge is, and to use it where and when it exists.
In the video, JP says that we should all stop using our "analytical minds" to trade, and instead use our third eye – and while I don't think my third eye is the answer, I do think our analytical minds can confuse us instead of help us.
Look at it this way: Less than 10% of active traders beat the S&P 500 any given year; and if they beat it one year, the chance is less than a coin flip, that they beat it again the following year.
Most traders understand that analysis and knowledge isn't enough anymore.
So what's the answer?
Well, if you watched the video, I'm leaning towards algorithms and artificial intelligence.
That doesn't mean looking for the "Holy Grail" – or a good set of three to five trading systems either. First, there's no Holy Grail, and it isn't realistic to believe a few systems can handle the chaos of modern markets.
There's always something working in the markets, but there isn't something that works all the time.
There's something to be said for knowing when to switch it up and try something new.
JP Sears was, and is, an emotional healing coach, and licensed "Holisitic Coach Advanced Practioner," but he found then when he posted a YouTube video he was excited when he got a couple hundred views (you can see his more serious origins in this video from four years ago).
He added the funny/satirical aspect as a complement to what he already knew, and it took him to the next level. He now gets millions.
When you see this picture from the 2000 NFL Combine, it's hard to believe that Tom Brady would be a 3-time Superbowl MVP taking the Patriots to their 5th under his reign.
The Patriots are a well-oiled machine, and it's not because their players are better than the rest.
Keep in mind, the NFL is a league at the top of the food chain (their athletes are the best of the best). Moreover, the NFL actively creates rules designed to level the playing field and create parity.
So, it is hard to create a team that 'can't be beaten' – When it happens, it happens because of culture, coaching, and process. Ultimately, somehow, winners find a way to win.
Bill isn't known as the friendliest (and he's certainly not known for dishing out praise) – but he is known for discipline (and lauding hard work when it's deserved).
More importantly, Belichick created a framework of success that isn't reliant on the individual – and it is that which allows the individual to shine.
Frameworks create the structure that allows, focus, specialty, and the freedom to improvise.
The System is the 'system'; but, within it, you can measure what works, who contributes, and use it to identify the best things to try next.
Win, lose, or draw … some things speak for themselves.
