Taking the easy way out is never the right option. Except when it is.

“Don’t take the easy way.”

“Work hard to get what you want.”

That’s not wrong. But it’s not the only way either. And definitely not in trading. In fact, the best trades for me are the ones that seem the easiest?

The easiest trades are the best trades

Jim Rogers says,

“wait until you see money laying over in the corner. Then just go pick it up.”

Others have said you have to work long and hard, do lots of research, fortify your opinion, and stick to your game plan, even when it is difficult. There’s not just one right answer. There are many ways to generate profit. But….

When a setup jumps out at you, that’s a good sign

For me, taking the easy trades is the best way to go. When looking through charts and one jumps out immediately, that’s a good sign. You want to focus on the ones that are obvious. The ones that you couldn’t possibly pass up. That’s what a good trade looks like.

Often times it’s not worthwhile to look long and hard. In fact, searching too much is likely a good indicator of when to back off and just watch. If the trades are there they are there. If they are not there, it’s no use trying to force one. That rarely works.

Cultivate patience

So in the days and weeks ahead, try to cultivate patience. Look for the setups that jump out at you. When the obvious, “can’t pass” opportunity shows up, write a game plan and then, if it triggers, execute flawlessly. Do not force a trade where no setup exists.

This will surely lead to more joyful, less stressful trading. And I would wager that it leads to more profits as well.