Mastering Trading Stress: Strategies for Maximizing Performance
$19.24
| Author(s) | |
|---|---|
| Pages |
224 |
| Format |
|
| Publication Year |
2008 |
Mastering Trading Stress: Strategies for Maximizing Performance by Ari Kiev is a groundbreaking exploration into the psychological side of trading. Rather than focusing on charts or technical strategies, this book dives deep into the human mind—the emotions, fears, and behavioral biases that so often sabotage performance in financial markets. Kiev, a renowned psychiatrist and trading coach, draws on years of experience working with hedge funds and professional traders to uncover why mastering stress is as critical as mastering technical skills.
At its core, the book argues that stress is inevitable in trading, but the way traders respond to it determines success or failure. Kiev outlines how unchecked stress leads to hesitation, impulsivity, and emotional decision-making that erode profits. On the other hand, by building awareness, discipline, and structured routines, traders can transform stress into a source of focus and heightened performance.
The text is filled with practical strategies for managing the psychological demands of trading: developing mental toughness, setting realistic goals, learning to adapt to changing market conditions, and creating accountability systems. Kiev emphasizes the importance of defining clear risk parameters and sticking to them, regardless of emotional swings. He also explores how peak performance requires not only discipline but also the ability to take calculated risks without fear.
What makes this work stand out is its blend of psychiatry, performance psychology, and real-world trading. Kiev does not treat trading stress as something to eliminate but as an inherent part of the game that must be understood and managed. His approach mirrors the mindset training used by elite athletes and applies it to financial markets.
Whether you are a professional trader, an aspiring investor, or someone struggling with the pressures of high-stakes decision-making, this book provides a framework to navigate stress, sharpen focus, and maximize results. It is not simply about surviving the markets but about thriving in them—transforming stress into a competitive edge.
Contents:
- The Nature of Stress: What Is Stress and Why Is It a Problem?
- The Emotions of Stress: What Negative Emotions Are Experienced as a Result of Stress?
- The Dangers of Trading under Stress: How Do Attempts to Handle Stress Create Problems for the Trader?
- How Fear Inhibits Mastery: Can You Learn to Lessen the Central Emotion of Fear?
- The Consequences of Negative Emotions
- Personalities and Stress
- Ego and Obstinacy
- Fear and Failure
- Perfectionism and Paralysis
- Failing to Manage Risk
- Failure to Dig Deeper
- Failures in Shorting
- Learning to Live with Stress
- Exercises and Practical Applications
Mastering Trading Stress: Strategies for Maximizing Performance By Ari Kiev PDF
4 reviews for Mastering Trading Stress: Strategies for Maximizing Performance
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Patrick Humphrey (verified owner) –
I knew Dr. Kiev, even worked with him at one point. I am not sure how this book came to be given his date of passing, but I am not sure it’s the best representation of his work.
Sevyn Hill (verified owner) –
Excellent read and an opportunity to look at your emotions through someone else’s experiences. I recommend this book to anyone with roller coaster emotions and want a better understanding about those emotions. It’s a book about traders, which is why I bought the book, however applies to life’s everyday situations.
Isaac Whitehead (verified owner) –
That’s what Brett Steenbarger stated in his book Psychology of Trading.
The main purpose of this book is not to help you to make more money but to help you to deal with stress.
When I read the first pages of Mastering Trading Stress I thought Great, a sequel to Psychology of Trading. It’s even the same size in the book shelf.
Kiev explaines all the varieties and levels of Stress. And yes, it’s really interesting. I thought it might be useful to know where my trading stress comes from. But I’ve found once you’re in the game or battle or whatever you want to call it; you FORGET about all this. That’s why markets are anti-therapeutic.
This book aims toward fund managers and institutional traders since all the guys he’s interviewing make millions, lose millions, and trade positions of about some million shares. It’s not like Vadym Graifer discussing scalping where you get out after momentum fades (that is, after a move of say 13 cents!).
And then at the end of the book, there are the tips about how to deal with stress: I say; nothing special. Long sleep, exercise, healthy diet, etc… you can find this kind of advice in any kind of book about trading or psychology or stress.
I am really pondering if shall rate this book three or four stars because there actually ARE some really useful informations and great interviews in it.
But let me quote some passages to show why I give it only 3:
The Nature of Stress
Personality Factors
p.8
After being a bit stressed out for several weeks, Albert made a conscious effort to stay focused, to spend fewer nights out on the town, and to take some time off and prepare for the end of the year.
The Emotions of Stress
Anger
p.27
[…..]He was also annoyed at not being included in the loop regarding new ideas in venture capital, and by not having more than a very small percentage of commission dollars being allocated for the research process.
Making a conscious effort to stay focused, he went out fewer nights and took some time off to prepare for the end of the year.
So after that passage I had to force myself to read this book to the end.
Still, I’ve found that this was the only flaw.
I can recommend this book if you are interested in psychology generally and want to know why you and other people act in certain ways. Maybe it does help you, it didn’t help me.
If you’re an institutional trader buy this book right away. Ari Kiev speaks your language. You won’t waste your time reading it nor your money.
For a more effective way how to deal with stress I’d like to recommend Morita therapy. If you went to college you probably heard about it. Otherwise you can learn about it in the world wide web. Or read Trade with Passion and Purpose by Mark Whistler.
Journi Cobb (verified owner) –
This was a suggested read by Tod Mitchell of Trading Concepts. And all trades need to read it