About me

A Quick Note on Transparency: I do all my own research—reading books, taking notes, watching videos, and applying everything through 14 years of actual trading experience. However, I use AI to help draft and organize the content on this blog. If that's a problem for you, I'd rather you know upfront so you can decide whether to continue reading.

Most People Think Successful Trading is About Picking the Right Stocks. They're Wrong.

On September 16th, 2025, I got laid off from my IT job after helping deliver million-dollar projects on time and under budget for years. While most people might panic, I had a different realization: It's time to build something for myself while helping others by sharing everything I've learned.

After 14 years of trading—including 8 brutal years of losses—I finally understand what actually matters. And after years in project management, I can see exactly why smart professionals struggle with investing.

Here's what nobody tells you: The systematic thinking that makes you successful at work can absolutely help with trading. You just need to know which parts to apply and when.

Why Smart Professionals Fail at Trading (And How I Failed for 8 Years)

I've been trading for 14 years. For the first 8 years, I lost money every single year. I was doing exactly what most people do—obsessing over stock picks, reading endless articles, drowning in analysis without focusing on what actually matters.

Then something clicked around year 9. I started focusing on managing my risk first. Instead of obsessing over which stocks to buy, I began systematically controlling my downside before worrying about my upside.

That's it. Not complex strategies. Not secret indicators. Just disciplined risk management.

The result? I went from 8 years of losses to breaking even, then to consistent profitability. I've now recovered everything I lost in those first 10 years, plus a 400% gain on my original investment.

The "Aha Moment" That Changes Everything

Here's what hit me: Trading isn't about finding the perfect stock. It's about having the perfect process.

Most trading education focuses on these things in this exact wrong order:

1. Finding the right stocks (what 90% of people obsess over)
2. Risk management (what some people talk about)
3. Position sizing (what almost nobody discusses)

But successful trading flips this completely:

1. Risk management first - Know your downside before you risk a penny
2. Position sizing second - Never bet more than you can afford to lose
3. Stock selection last - With proper risk management, even "wrong" picks can be profitable

This is basic project management. You identify risks upfront, allocate resources appropriately, then execute. Why don't more people apply this to trading? Because nobody teaches it.

Why Being 40+ is Actually Your Secret Weapon

I spent 11 years in the military learning to make decisions under pressure, then years in corporate IT managing complex projects. At 40+, I have something 20-somethings don't: the understanding that time is finite.

Al Pacino said it perfectly in "Any Given Sunday": "When you get older, things get taken from you, but you only learn that when you start to lose stuff." That's exactly right. At 40, we understand the weight of our decisions. We're patient. We don't make moves based on excitement—we make them based on systematic analysis.

The advantage? While younger traders burn out making 1,000+ trades per year (I did that once and still lost money), we focus on quality over quantity. We understand that preservation of capital matters more than hitting home runs.

What You'll Find Here (And What You Won't)

This isn't another trading blog promising to make you rich quick. This is a structured approach to investing that treats your money like the valuable project it is.

You'll get:

• The complete Project Trader Method—applying waterfall project management to trading
• Step-by-step guides that move you from overwhelmed to confident
• Real examples and case studies (including my mistakes)
• Health and life lessons from a fellow 40+ professional juggling work, family, and physical challenges

You won't get:

• Get-rich-quick schemes or "hot stock tips"
• Complex technical analysis that requires a finance degree
• Day trading strategies that consume your entire day
• Anything that doesn't respect your time constraints as a working professional

The Real Challenge (And Why Most People Quit)

Here's the brutal truth: Most people don't want structure. They want excitement.

They'd rather gamble on a "hot tip" than spend 20 minutes creating a trading plan. They'd rather chase momentum stocks than calculate position sizes. They'd rather blame the market than review their own decision-making process.

If you're looking for excitement, go to Vegas. If you want systematic wealth building that fits into your already-busy life, you're in the right place.

A Personal Note

I'll be honest—I'm dealing with the same challenges you are. After years of corporate desk work, I'm managing back pain, carpal tunnel, and the general wear-and-tear of being 40+. I'm working through physical therapy, learning what works, and sharing those lessons too.

This isn't about perfection. It's about progress. It's about taking what we've learned in our professional lives and applying it to building wealth systematically and safely.

Start Here

Ready to stop feeling overwhelmed by investing and start feeling confident with a clear system?

Begin with my complete Project Management Stock Trading Guide →

This comprehensive guide walks you through exactly how to apply project management principles to trading. It's designed specifically for busy professionals who want structure, not complexity.

After reading it, you'll understand why the systematic approach you already use at work is your biggest advantage in the market.

Important Disclaimer: I am not a professional trader or licensed financial advisor. Everything shared on this blog comes from my personal experience as an individual trader over 14 years. This is not investment advice—it's educational content about systematic approaches to trading. Always do your own research and consider consulting with a qualified financial professional before making investment decisions.

Remember: The goal isn't to become a full-time trader. The goal is to build wealth systematically while living your life.