300: Denise Shull On Using Modern Psychoanalysis To Be A Better Investor

— The market operates as a social game driven by perception and emotion, not absolute truths; top traders understand they are trading against other people's changing perceptions rather than discovering hidden answers.

— Self-awareness is the foundation of sound decision-making; understanding what you feel and why you feel it reduces bias and prevents impulsive choices driven by discomfort.

— Conviction and confidence exist on a spectrum; the best trades often emerge from calm certainty paired with awareness that something might be missing, rather than from overconfidence or panic.

— Fear and uncertainty are sources of information when examined closely; drilling down to the real cause of a fear often eliminates its power to distract and opens clearer paths forward.

— Listening deeply—paying attention to pauses, tone, and what is not being said—reveals conflicts and unconscious drivers in how people think and act.

— Mental routines for high performers focus on leveraging desire and understanding goals rather than forcing discipline; asking what you want matters more than telling yourself what you should do.

— When facing uncertainty or fear, practice the question "What am I feeling and why am I feeling it?" Identifying the root cause often reduces the emotional intensity and clarifies the real decision at hand.

— Develop your own investment philosophy and scale for measuring conviction (one to seven) so you can recognize when you are calm and certain versus agitated or overly confident; this self-knowledge prevents reactive trading.

— Stop judging yourself for how you think and feel; understanding the reason behind a feeling or behavior creates energy and optimism, and removes the distraction that prevents clear action.