Acknowledgments

If, as the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a small army to write a book. The last lesson of the book is dedicated to my mother, Constance Steenbarger, who passed away last year. My deepest hope is that this book carries forward the nurturing spirit that she brought to her family and students.

If my mother represented nurturance in my life, my father, Jack Steenbarger, has embodied the virtues of hard work, achievement, and love of family. From the earliest days of my training as a psychologist, I have been fascinated by the psychology of exemplary achievement: what makes highly successful people tick. There’s no question where that passionate interest originated, and it gives me the greatest of pleasure to acknowledge my father for that inspiration.

None of this would be possible, however, without the understanding, love, and support of my wife Margie. In 1984, I traded bachelorhood for a life with Margie and her family; to this day, it remains my one superlative trade. Twenty-five years later, I’m pleased to report we’re still riding that trend, having taken no heat whatsoever!

I’m saddened, but happy at the same time, to be able to dedicate this book to the memory of my uncle, Arnold Rustin, MD, who also passed away during the year. A consummate teacher, Arnold represented everything I’ve admired and enjoyed in the world of academic medicine. It’s the support of Arnold and his wife Rose, even amid their own challenges, which made the greatest impression on me, however. I hope their inspiration finds expression in this book.

Thanks, too, to Debi, Steve, Lea, Laura, Ed, Devon, and Macrae, the kids who aren’t kids any more, but who have been remarkably understanding of my hours on the road meeting with traders and my even greater hours online, keeping up with a blog and dozens of e-mail and phone calls daily. I would not be so grounded without family, including my brother Marc and sister-in-law Lisa and our three feline friends: Gina, Ginger, and Mali.

To the traders and authors who contributed to Chapter 9, my deepest thanks and appreciation for your great work. You provide unparalleled resources for developing traders. Acknowledgments are also due to those whose work has inspired my own: philosophers Ayn Rand, Brand Blanshard, Colin Wilson, and G. I. Gurdjieff; the many psychologists and researchers who have contributed to the brief therapy and positive psychology literatures; and the traders who were formative in my development: Victor Niederhoffer, Linda Raschke, Chuck McElveen, and the many hedge fund traders I’ve been privileged to work with in the past few years. My colleagues at Upstate Medical University have been inspirational and supportive throughout my second career; special thanks to Mantosh Dewan, MD; Roger Greenberg, PhD; and John Manring, MD.

This is also my opportunity for a shout-out to those who write and play the music that kept me company through the writing of this book: Edenbridge, Armin van Buuren, Ferry Corsten, Cruxshadows, Assemblage 23, VNV Nation, and many others that you may discover on the Become Your Own Trading Coach blog.

Deepest thanks, as well, to the Wiley production staff and my fantastic and supportive editors, Pamela van Giessen, Kate Wood, and Emilie Her-man. They’ve been tremendously helpful in bringing this book to life. My appreciation also goes out to the many readers of the blog, particularly those who have actively participated with their comments and insights. I hope this book contributes to your continued happiness and trading success.