There is Nothing We Respect More Than...

Dear Mr. Bellafiore,

Thank you for writing The Playbook!

Before I continue my thanks and gratitude, I promised myself that this would not be a ‘Dear Oprah, save me letter.’ But on a serious note, it is hard to hold back my sincere appreciation for your advice and guidance in The Playbook. I am not your typical recruit. Most would say that I am under-educated; some community college, past my prime; the ripe old age of 39. I could go on but if I am lucky enough that you actually read this letter I will get to the point.

Reading your book taught me a valuable lesson about myself and life, even at the age of 39. Hard work, like Shark, TO, and perseverance like Prep, and steady progress like Pippen is what will make the difference in my journey to be the best CPT. I have been trading live off and on for about two years between my full-time job. I have suffered numerous blowups. But I made a promise to myself that I am not allowed to quit! No matter what, I cannot quit. And believe it or not, this is the first profitable three weeks of my entire trading career after just following some of your advice; I’m still pinching myself in disbelief. However, at the same time it is some of the hardest work I have put in, in memory. I trade from 9 to 11 am and opening to close on my two days off a week. And I have a family with a newborn. I usually study the markets three hours a night, including learning how to put my playbook together. I get up three hours early to continue reading and studying and watching my trades. I read your book whenever I get a break, and I’m now reading all the books and Web sites you talked about. I love The Kirk Report. I love the work; my trading eyes are opening like never before!!

It’s hard, but I know one day I will see long-term success. I trade my own money through a prop firm. It’s not easy because there is no coaching other than calling out trades, and then posting trades that we should have made. Not too encouraging, but I’m thankful that I have the opportunity to trade at all. I watch your morning meetings and subscribe to everything you offer. I’m waiting to take your online classes when a spot opens up. Thank you for a peak into what a supportive, winning culture looks like. I may be 39, but I believe in what you and your firm does, and I might not ever meet you guys or work for you, but if I can just hang on your coattails and pay for whatever you offer, that in itself is one of the best things in my trading career that I am so blessed for.

Thank you!

@mikebellafiore

1. There is nothing we respect more at SMBU than those working on their trading game! Well done! There is always a solution for your trading underperformance. Very nice job by you finding a way to improve.
2. Charles Kirk, of The Kirk Report, is the best! He does terrific work for the trading community.
3. Shark, TO, Pippen are wonderful traders to copy for new and developing traders.
4. While we are on this topic, SMBU has created two new ways to help a trader like you:

a) SMB Tools Package and Mentoring. You can watch our AM Meeting, see our positions and trade chat in Real Time at SMB Real Time, tap into our scanning tools like SMB Radar and SMB Scanner to find the best stocks to trade, and work on your trading game by gaining access to SMB Midday Review and SMB AfterHours, where we review our trading and highlight trade setups and trading principles. Mentoring is also offered.

b) SMB DNA. This new ten-week program focuses on building a strong fundamental trading base.

5. There is so much good trading in so many developing traders. Having a methodology to understand what your best setups are, trading them bigger and more often can materially improve your results. That is why I wrote The PlayBook. Wonderful to learn it was helpful for your trading.

You can be better tomorrow than you are today!

Mike Bellafiore

One Good Trade
The PlayBook