Good morning, traders,
I’m a golfer.
Years ago, a pro gave me just one tip to fix my slice.
That single change lowered my average — permanently.
The same thing happens in trading.
You may be this close to consistency, and all it takes is one insight to get over the hump.
If the market’s been chewing you up lately and spitting out your profits, listen up…
Over the past 25 years, I’ve worked with thousands of traders. And I’ve seen far too many quit just inches away from a major breakthrough.
What they didn’t realize is that sometimes all it takes is one shift — a single “a-ha” moment — to turn it all around.
For many, that shift comes when they finally pinpoint their Achilles heel, the one habit or weakness that’s quietly killing their progress.
My Achilles Heel (And How I Fixed It)
No one walks into the market as a fully formed trader. We all have blind spots.
Mine was overconfidence.
I’d size up too much, too fast — chasing the big wins like I was playing high-stakes poker every hand.
That mindset led to some wild drawdowns.
But after two decades of screen time and self-awareness, I finally got it:
Know yourself. Know your flaws. Then build rules around them.
Now I use that knowledge to size my trades with precision. I don’t let ego drive the bus. And my results are better for it.
If you’re still struggling to stay consistent, you may be fighting one of these three common pitfalls…
The 3 Most Common Achilles Heels for Options Traders
1. Trading Without a Plan
You wouldn’t walk onto a golf course without a scorecard or a weather report, so why enter a trade without a map?
Every trade needs:
- A clear entry strategy
- A defined risk level
- An exit plan — before you even enter
Too many new traders chase contracts at bad prices, get trapped, and panic out. Even worse, they have no idea when to get out when the trade moves in their favor.
Set a price target. Place a limit sell order if you can’t monitor the screen all day.
If you’re up 100%, consider locking in profits — or at least selling half and letting the rest ride with “house money.”
A good trade plan turns stress into structure.
2. Revenge Trading
Take a loss — and then immediately try to “win it back”?
That’s revenge trading.
It’s emotional. It’s irrational. And it’s one of the fastest ways to torch your account.
You stop analyzing setups. You start gambling. You lose control.
The best traders stay calm. They evaluate. They only trade when the market presents a real edge, not just because they’re mad.
If you’re in emotional tilt mode, step away. Clear your head before you get back in.
3. Chasing Lottery Tickets
Out-of-the-money options that expire tomorrow can be tempting. That juicy “max profit” number looks like easy money.
But let’s be honest — it’s not.
Buying cheap contracts hoping for a miracle is no different from playing Powerball. The odds are brutal, and most of those trades expire worthless.
If that’s your go-to strategy, you’re not trading — you’re dreaming.
Instead, look for setups with solid risk-reward and realistic targets. Stay closer to the money. Avoid weekly expirations unless you have a clear reason.
You don’t have to hit a hole-in-one. You just need to keep the ball in the fairway.
Final Word
You don’t need to be perfect to win in the markets.
But you do need to know your weak spots — and stop pretending they aren’t there.
Success often starts with self-awareness. Once you find your Achilles heel and fix it, everything else can start falling into place.
Let’s fix it together — starting now.
Stay street smart,
Jeff Zananiri
P.S.This Sunday at 7 p.m. ET, Danny Phee is pulling back the curtain on the overnight setups most traders sleep on.
He’ll show you exactly how to spot the power plays that hit before the opening bell, so you can stop chasing and start leading the move.
You don’t want to miss this!
*Past performance does not indicate future results
