No matter who you are and where you are in the world, dreams come true with enough hard work.

Read that again. Burn it into your brain.

Do you have dreams?

Here’s something I’ve dreamt about since I was a kid …

I used to watch CNBC when I was in high school. By that time, I already had a long-time passion for the stock market. I used to love watching the closing bell.

I’d think to myself, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool to be up there someday? To close the stock market?’

That idea became a dream.

The dream was a seed planted. Over the years I’ve experienced a lot of success and some failure, too. From becoming a millionaire while still in college, to losing big because I believed in a company doomed to fail. But the seed … the dream … was always there.

The Power of Dreams

Fast forward. I feel truly blessed. I get to travel to exotic locations. I trade to teach and donate the profits to charity. I get the opportunity to change young lives through building schools and

the lives of traders with the Trading Challenge.

On March 12, my closing bell dream came true.

Nasdaq invited StocksToTrade to ring the closing bell. It was a big deal for me and the entire team.

Michael Markes, Nasdaq’s Managing Director of Global Information Services, introduced StocksToTrade. He then welcomed me and Tim Bohen to the podium.

Tim Bohen is the lead trainer at StocksToTrade and the presenter of the SteadyTrade podcast. After some inspiring banter about how far we’ve come in a few short years, Tim Bohen asked me if I had anything to say.

“I’m excited … let’s close this market!”

Michael Markes gave us a commemorative crystal to remember the event. Then, we invited the rest of the team and some colleagues to the podium. Just in time for the closing bell.

I was all smiles.

As the clock counted down to close the Nasdaq there were 14 of us gathered on the podium. Whooping and clapping. I remember thinking, “Wow … here I am … living one of my dreams.” It was amazing. A big honor.

(I’ve actually closed the market once before — another story for another time. Both times it was a dream come true.)

My point is, it wasn’t some kind of overnight success.

It was the culmination of 20 years of hard work. It was the result of holding my dream as a vision — something I could see in my future over and over again. And I am truly honored.

All Well and Good for You, Tim … What About Me?

This issue is NOT about me. It’s about teamwork. And it’s about you.

I share my story — through social media, videos, and pictures — to inspire you. I share stories of my top students to inspire you. I share my travels to inspire you. I’m sharing this event to inspire YOU.

Most people are victims of their own self-limiting beliefs. And fear.

Read that again.

We all have obstacles in life. (Yes, some have more than others. I get it.) I don’t care who you are or where you are in the world.

You can dream. You can plan.

You can take action.

Best part?

You don’t have to do it alone.

On the Nasdaq podium another thought came to me … a confirmation of something I’ve known for a long time …

It Takes a Team to Build Something Great

Every person on the podium with me and Tim Bohen deserved to be there. They all contributed to the success. I’m proud of every person on the team.

 

I’m also proud of my incredible students who help mentor others. And I’m grateful.

Because it takes a team to build something great. I simply don’t have the bandwidth to do everything. It’s impossible. My teams all work hard to make StocksToTrade, Trading Challenge, Profitly, and Karmagawa (am I missing anyone?) a success.

And here’s where you benefit.

Are you ready for the success you seek?

Are you ready to make your dreams come true? With a big enough dream and a lot of hard work, dreams come true.

If it’s trading success you want — which makes sense because you’re reading this — we have an entire team dedicated to your education.

But there are a few things you need to remember …

It’s a Marathon and Not a Sprint

Ringing the closing bell on the Nasdaq was not the result of a sprint. StocksToTrade is young as companies go.

But the total years of experience in trading, coding, business, training … I could go on … the total years of experience standing on that podium? I can’t even guess. 150 or 200 years? More?

Hard Work Wins the Day

Extraordinary gains are possible with enough hard work. I have to be careful here or my lawyer will cut this. Your trading journey isn’t going to be easy.

There’s NOT an easy button. Be willing to put in the hard work and stick it out. In other words, deserve and earn the extraordinary gains. Plant the seed.

Failure Is Part of the Learning Process

You’re not going to win all the time. You’re going to have losses. Tim Bohen has had losses. I’ve had losses. You’re going to have losses. Losses are part of the process.

Even when you achieve success you’re going to have losses. Accept it. The sooner you accept it, the easier the learning process.

Forge Your Own Path

Don’t try to copy me. Or anyone else. By all means, if you have a dream to ring the closing bell, then nurture your dream. But don’t try to copy my career trajectory. Make your own.

Which leads me to …

Self-sufficiency: It’s a Process

… Learn the process. Become self-sufficient.

My job as a teacher will be complete when you don’t need me. You want to reach the point where you don’t need me and you don’t need anyone.

How do you get there?

Here’s an old joke …

A young lady with a saxophone case is walking along 6th Avenue near 52nd Street in New York — looking confused and lost. She stops someone and asks, “Excuse me, how do I get to Carnegie Hall from here?”

“Practice, kid. Practice.”

Stupid joke, right?

But it’s so accurate. Trading success requires practice. Practice and study. No easy button. It requires hard work …

With practice — and study — you can become self-sufficient. How long are you willing to be patient and make nothing? How much time and effort are you willing to put into your education? How much skin are you willing to put in the game?

Closing Bell

Closing Nasdaq was an amazing experience. It was an honor. It’s a memory everyone on our team will remember for the rest of their lives.

This is the kind of experience I want you to have.

Start making a list — your bucket list. Create your dreams. Build your passion and get it done. Life is amazing — but you have to go for it. It’s not a dress rehearsal.

Go get it.