I was psyched for an opportunistic Monday after Friday’s action in GS and the market.  On our Sunday night SMB University show on StockTwits TV I went through all the levels in GS, JPM, MS, BAC, DB and the market momentum leaders.  I read every blog and article on the GS/SEC civil suit.  I mapped out a plan for new breaking news that might strike this week.   I was calmly focused and prepared.   And then life got in the way.

“Back in the day” one of the original bloggers Todd Harrison now of Emmy Award winner Minyanville taught us noobs an invaluable and unforgeable lesson.  Todd was the head trader at the hedge fund Cramer Berkowitz and this was all during a period when the market rained money on those who just showed up.  I looked forward to Todd’s blogs and trading lessons daily.  It was hard not to notice that he would miss important trading days.  Todd had other priorities, family priorities, that took center stage for him. During certain sessions, it was more important to Todd to be with his family than trading during a once in a decade opportunity.  Priorities!

Yesterday I had to step off the desk for one of these life interruptions, a family priority.  I missed the midday action in GS, which would have been fun to game.  But the markets are not going anywhere.  It is more important to me to be where I need to be than miss a few moves in GS.

The purpose of trading is not to make money. It is to become as good as you can at this craft called trading. And how can I be my best at that if I am incomplete as a person?  Specifically how can I be the my best trader possible if I do not properly prioritize the importance of trading in my life?