As you might have probably guessed, I’ve made many trades in my life as a Forex trader and entrepreneur – some small, some big, a lot that I still take pride in and a number that I regret.

So, I’ve grown accustomed to being asked the million-dollar question – “What are the best trades you’ve made in your life?” I often get asked this by young professionals who are traders and entrepreneurs themselves, looking for advice that will get them to the next level.

While their ambition is great, I always tell them that the best trades I’ve made were never anything material. In this article, we’re going to be counting my top 10 trades of all time:

1. I Traded Ignorance for Knowledge

When you’re young and eager to start your career, a common (but often overlooked) pitfall is trusting your instincts too much. This often happens after a successful business move or a risk that worked out well. Of course, these successes are worth celebrating, but you don’t become an expert purely because of a string of good moves.

In your pursuit of success, don’t let ignorance stop you from seeking knowledge. You need to be able to accept that no matter how successful you are, there will always be more things to learn. Choosing to remain ignorant will only limit your future opportunities, so you should always stay hungry for new knowledge.

2. I Traded Greed for Contentment

Many frequently draw associations between success and greed. And you know what? That is the case sometimes. In fact, it used to be true for me.

I used to desire starting more businesses and working on so many projects for money that I wouldn’t ever be able to spend. Eventually, my fatigue caught up to me and I realised that I wasn’t really enjoying the money I’d accumulated. If anything, I was just hoarding.

That’s when I realised that it was important to work not for money, but for myself. Once I had figured that out, the greed dissipated. I was working because I enjoyed the way my life was, and I was seeking contentment in the right places. Similarly, as you start your career, you’ll need to understand that money will always be a means to the contentment you’re searching for, and never will it be the end goal.

3. I Traded Fear for Courage

As Frank Herbert so aptly mentioned in his great sci-fi novel, Dune: “Fear is the mind-killer.” This has always been true for me in my journey as an entrepreneur. Many great business opportunities slipped out of my grasp because I was too scared to chase after them.

I’m certain this has also been true for you. Whether we like it or not, insecurity is a real part of life, and it’s something we must deal with. Many times, fear serves to protect us from harm, but it does just as much to keep us from truly living our best lives. Rising to challenges despite our fears is where our fortune begins. Make a habit of standing up to your fears, and you’ll have closed one of the best trades you can make.

4. I Traded Pride for Humility

Early in my career, I was very prideful. I refused to accept criticism from people who knew better than me and were trying to look out for me. Eventually, poor decisions driven by pride led me to losing those people’s trust, and I had to work years to regain it. And this involved becoming a humbler and more self-aware person.

When I showed people that I was able to put on my big kid pants and accept my shortcomings and defeats, that’s when people were able to put their trust back into investing in me. Without those people, I wouldn’t be where I am today, be it as a trader or entrepreneur.

You likely have mentors in your life who are willing to look out for you. So, heed their advice and learn from their experiences. It’s so much better than keeping your pride.

5. I Traded Pessimism for Optimism

There’s an old saying that goes: “Whether you believe you can or you can’t, you’re right.” This has been a guiding principle for me in my career. I’ve always believed that you can’t get anything done if you don’t first believe you can do it.

I’m sure you’ve also experienced discouraging setbacks in life. Have you consistently let these stop you? You need to be able to look beyond your failures, extract the positives from each mistake and never let pessimism cloud your pursuits. Only then will you set yourself up for more wins!

These are the first five of my 10 most important trades! Curious about the next five? Stay tuned for the next article to learn what other things you might need to trade to enjoy the success you want.

To your success,

Mario

[Visit www.mariosingh.com now to enjoy a FREE e-book of my latest “37 Essential Principles for Massive Success” when you subscribe!]