My girlfriend and I sit at a table by ourselves. The candle on the table and the orb light fixtures cast a soft, dim glow through the room. Some electronic music plays in the background as we sip our drinks.

I feel like I should be happy, but I’m not. I did a lot of things right, but I could’ve done better.

On Thursday I bought puts in XOM, INTC, EEM and SPY. By most measures I had a pretty good day, but there is a persistent nagging feeling that I could’ve done better. I could have bought more puts, I could’ve held them until 3:50.

My drink is good, something my girlfriend ordered. Flavored vodka and cranberry juice. We talk for a bit. Other plans for the weekend, the coming week, the summer.

But I feel like I should be back in front of my computer, going over charts and trades again. That’s the motivation that keeps me trading. That feeling I could have done better. That desire to prove myself.

Trading is pure. This bar I sit in buys alcohol, mixes it and provides me and environment to enjoy it in return for cash. Trading cuts out the part where a business provides a good or service. Trading is buying something and selling it more.
Cash out, security in. Security out, more cash in. Business can’t get any simpler than that.