How Seeing Yourself Like an Outsider Can Transform Your Trading
How Seeing Yourself Like an Outsider Can Transform Your Trading
How Seeing Yourself Like an
Outsider Can Transform Your
Trading
There’s something I started doing a few years into trading that had nothing to do with indicators, strategies, or the market itself. Yet it ended up changing everything. I began looking at myself as if I wasn’t me.
As traders, we often get stuck in our own heads. We’re the ones clicking the mouse, feeling the rush of adrenaline, fighting the fear of missing out, and trying to recover from losses that hit harder than they should. When you’re that close to the action, it’s almost impossible to see things objectively. You justify bad habits. You rationalize emotional decisions. You break your own rules and tell yourself, “It’s just this one time,” or, “I’ll manage it.”
I remember telling myself a breakout was coming just because I felt it. I’d go full size into a setup I barely planned and call it intuition. But deep down, I knew I wouldn’t be saying any of that if I were watching someone else trade the same way. If I had seen another trader behaving like I did back then, I would’ve thought, “This guy is gambling with no structure.”
That realization pushed me to make a mental shift. I started treating my trading like I was coaching someone else. I’d review my trades as if I was mentoring a younger trader, looking at what they were doing right and where they were falling apart. I began watching recordings of my own sessions, not as the person who made those decisions, but as someone trying to help that trader get better. I would ask myself, “Would I trust this guy to manage my money?” And honestly, in the beginning, the answer was no.
By creating that little bit of distance, I gained a lot of clarity. I saw my errors with less emotion and more honesty. I also saw patterns in my strengths. The things I did well became more obvious once I wasn’t so attached to every single trade. This outsider perspective helped me develop objectivity—the very thing that emotion clouds.
If you’re struggling with consistency or emotional decision-making, this approach might help you too. One way to start is by recording your screen while you trade and then watching the footage later. You’ll see what triggered your decisions, how your emotions affected your timing, and whether you followed your plan or just reacted. Another technique that helped me was writing my journal entries in the third person. Instead of saying “I entered this trade because…,” I’d write, “Roberto entered the trade expecting a breakout, but didn’t wait for confirmation.” That shift alone made it easier to hold myself accountable without feeling defensive.
One powerful question I ask myself regularly is, “Would I hire me to trade my capital?” It cuts through all the noise. If the answer is no, then I know I’ve got work to do. And if the answer is yes, it’s because I’ve earned that trust through discipline, structure, and honesty.
Letting go of ego is hard. We all want to believe we’re the main character who figures it out, who nails the perfect trade, who makes the comeback. But growth comes when we stop trying to prove ourselves and start observing ourselves. When we learn to see the truth, we give ourselves the power to change.
That’s how I became consistent. Not just by tweaking my setups or adjusting my risk-toreward, but by learning how to step back and see myself with clear eyes. So the next time you sit down to trade, try to zoom out. Imagine someone is watching over your shoulder, someone who wants the best for you. Trade like that person is guiding you—not judging you, but holding you to a higher standard.
Treat yourself like the trader you want to become. Because the moment you start seeing yourself clearly is the moment you start becoming a better trader.
How Seeing Yourself Like an Outsider Can Transform Your Trading
There’s something I started doing a few years into trading that had nothing to do with indicators, strategies, or the market itself. Yet it ended up changing everything. I began looking at myself as if I wasn’t me.
As traders, we often get stuck in our own heads. We’re the ones clicking the mouse, feeling the rush of adrenaline, fighting the fear of missing out, and trying to recover from losses that hit harder than they should. When you’re that close to the action, it’s almost impossible to see things objectively. You justify bad habits. You rationalize emotional decisions. You break your own rules and tell yourself, “It’s just this one time,” or, “I’ll manage it.”
I remember telling myself a breakout was coming just because I felt it. I’d go full size into a setup I barely planned and call it intuition. But deep down, I knew I wouldn’t be saying any of that if I were watching someone else trade the same way. If I had seen another trader behaving like I did back then, I would’ve thought, “This guy is gambling with no structure.”
That realization pushed me to make a mental shift. I started treating my trading like I was coaching someone else. I’d review my trades as if I was mentoring a younger trader, looking at what they were doing right and where they were falling apart. I began watching recordings of my own sessions, not as the person who made those decisions, but as someone trying to help that trader get better. I would ask myself, “Would I trust this guy to manage my money?” And honestly, in the beginning, the answer was no.
By creating that little bit of distance, I gained a lot of clarity. I saw my errors with less emotion and more honesty. I also saw patterns in my strengths. The things I did well became more obvious once I wasn’t so attached to every single trade. This outsider perspective helped me develop objectivity—the very thing that emotion clouds.
If you’re struggling with consistency or emotional decision-making, this approach might help you too. One way to start is by recording your screen while you trade and then watching the footage later. You’ll see what triggered your decisions, how your emotions affected your timing, and whether you followed your plan or just reacted. Another technique that helped me was writing my journal entries in the third person. Instead of saying “I entered this trade because…,” I’d write, “Roberto entered the trade expecting a breakout, but didn’t wait for confirmation.” That shift alone made it easier to hold myself accountable without feeling defensive.
One powerful question I ask myself regularly is, “Would I hire me to trade my capital?” It cuts through all the noise. If the answer is no, then I know I’ve got work to do. And if the answer is yes, it’s because I’ve earned that trust through discipline, structure, and honesty.
Letting go of ego is hard. We all want to believe we’re the main character who figures it out, who nails the perfect trade, who makes the comeback. But growth comes when we stop trying to prove ourselves and start observing ourselves. When we learn to see the truth, we give ourselves the power to change.
That’s how I became consistent. Not just by tweaking my setups or adjusting my risk-toreward, but by learning how to step back and see myself with clear eyes. So the next time you sit down to trade, try to zoom out. Imagine someone is watching over your shoulder, someone who wants the best for you. Trade like that person is guiding you—not judging you, but holding you to a higher standard.
Treat yourself like the trader you want to become. Because the moment you start seeing yourself clearly is the moment you start becoming a better trader.
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How Seeing Yourself Like an Outsider Can Transform Your Trading
Jun 10, 2025
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Leevie Herelle & Associates, Top Floor, Compton Building, William Peter Boulevard, P.O. Box CP6462, Castries, St. Lucia
DISCLAIMER: This material comprises personal opinions and ideas. It does not suggest to purchase financial services, nor does it guarantee the performance or outcome of future transactions. The material should not be interpreted as containing any type of financial advice. The accuracy, validity, or completeness of this information is not guaranteed and no liability is assumed for any loss related to any investment based on the material.
RISK WARNING: Operations mentioned in this material can be considered high-risk transactions, and the performance or outcome of these transactions cannot be guaranteed. It is possible that by trading you may sustain significant investment losses, possibly including the loss of money in your account. When trading, you must always take into consideration your level of experience and seek independent financial advice if necessary.
* Athens Markets Ltd does not solicit Citizens from the United States. Please check with your local jurisdiction to determine if you are permitted to open an account with Athens Markets Ltd.
© 2025 Athens Markets. All rights reserved.
Leevie Herelle & Associates, Top Floor, Compton Building, William Peter Boulevard, P.O. Box CP6462, Castries, St. Lucia
DISCLAIMER: This material comprises personal opinions and ideas. It does not suggest to purchase financial services, nor does it guarantee the performance or outcome of future transactions. The material should not be interpreted as containing any type of financial advice. The accuracy, validity, or completeness of this information is not guaranteed and no liability is assumed for any loss related to any investment based on the material.
RISK WARNING: Operations mentioned in this material can be considered high-risk transactions, and the performance or outcome of these transactions cannot be guaranteed. It is possible that by trading you may sustain significant investment losses, possibly including the loss of money in your account. When trading, you must always take into consideration your level of experience and seek independent financial advice if necessary.
* Athens Markets Ltd does not solicit Citizens from the United States. Please check with your local jurisdiction to determine if you are permitted to open an account with Athens Markets Ltd.
© 2025 Athens Markets. All rights reserved.
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