Change to Persist 

The method of change is to uncover the contents of the subconscious mind; identify limiting associations, values, and beliefs; and replace them with new concepts that allow us to move forward on the path of our choice. It is crucial to remember that the goal is to achieve a mental state where the pursuit of objectives becomes a pleasurable rather than a painful process.

We can use three fundamental tools to attain this goal: the physical body, the conscious mind, and the autonomously operating subconscious mind.

1， Harness Your Physical Body

Physical changes can also influence your emotions. For reference: Anthony Robbins’ books and videos.

Rituals: All rituals share a common purpose: repeating physical movements to draw the subconscious mind into a state of focus, preparing it to meet upcoming challenges. Through consistent rituals, athletes use their bodies to manage their subconscious minds.

What are your rituals? You must have some. Consider what role they play in your life. What do these rituals accomplish? Do they alleviate your frustration or amplify your setbacks? Do they help you concentrate or distract you? Do they enable you to seize pleasure and avoid pain, or do they do the opposite?

Pay attention to how you use your body—your rituals.

Take action to make yourself feel better. Straighten your posture, take a deep breath, move with vitality, speak with cadence, play music you love. Use your body to evoke the feelings you desire, and you can block the negative associations that control your actions.

If you succeed in changing how you feel, cherish those transformations, savor the joy within them, and relish the thrill of being in control.

With regular practice, you can forge new mental associations and cultivate new physical rituals—tools you can rely on to shift your emotions whenever needed. Practice in this way, and you can begin to change immediately.

Relying solely on physical changes to alter your state of mind may seem like a form of deception or inauthenticity. After all, our feelings are what truly matter. Isn’t it dishonest to manipulate your emotions through mechanical means? To answer these questions, I invite you to consider which of the following scenarios is more deceptive or inauthentic: screaming in frustration at a traffic jam you can’t control, or taking a breath to calm yourself and reflect? Which is more practical: waking up in the morning feeling inexplicably defeated and indulging that feeling, or lifting your spirits, clapping your hands, and eagerly preparing to embrace the new day?

You need to maintain a sharp, focused mind to excel at your work. When circumstances are unfavorable, you must use physical movement to lift your spirits. I often use a deck of cards to help me stay concentrated. While watching the quote screen, I shuffle the deck, perform one-handed cuts, or use other small actions to center my focus.

When it comes to harnessing the body, I place special emphasis on the importance of exercise. Numerous studies have shown that exercise reduces stress, boosts energy and mental alertness, and helps enhance self-esteem.

When you feel exhausted or stressed, exercise is usually the last thing you want to do. Yet in those moments, you know you must stand up, put on your workout clothes, head outdoors or to the gym, and move. In my personal experience, I have never regretted pushing past my hesitation to exercise. What’s more, low moods are often the perfect time to work out. When you’re feeling down, you need to break the pattern that’s keeping you stuck—and exercise is one of the best ways to do it. It may be difficult at times, but the rewards are well worth the effort.

Exercise is an investment—in how you feel now and in the future. It even benefits your career, as it fuels greater energy, sharper focus, and stronger self-confidence.

Using and managing physical activity is the fastest way to shift your mindset—but it is not enough to create permanent change. You can use physical movement to interrupt old patterns and build new associations, but if you want those new associations to take root in your subconscious mind, you must reinforce them with beliefs and values. To do that, you need to turn to your most valuable asset: your conscious mind.

2，Harness Your Conscious Mind

To trade effectively, you must master three skills: observation, focus, and critical thinking.

Before entering a live trade, you should intervene in the workings of your conscious mind and evaluate the conclusions of your subconscious. Evaluation means verifying that the trade aligns with your trading rules. You must ask yourself: Does the risk-to-reward ratio stand at least 1:3? Is this trade in the direction of the trend I intend to follow? Has the price tested and failed to break a previous key high…

You must integrate the functions of perception, focus, evaluation, and projection.

Perception

Perception is the ability or function to perceive existence.

However, the greatest obstacle to perception is not a lack of knowledge, but unintentional oversight embedded in mental programming.

If we instruct our subconscious to reject certain data, it will obey—and we will thus be unable to fully comprehend related matters. Nevertheless, by recalling what you already know, you can activate your perceptive abilities to understand what you have overlooked and identify its underlying issues.

If you consistently overlook critical information, the only sign of this perceptual failure will be some form of setback—and you can use that setback as a starting point for improvement. To pursue consistent success, you must acknowledge and accept this truth: both your successes and your failures are absolutely vital steps in your journey. Acknowledging mistakes and failures, and learning to embrace them, is an attitude of positivity.

People often blame others or external events for their errors, failures, and pain. Yet if you constantly remind yourself that these outcomes are the result of your own actions, you can perceive their true causes. Mistakes, failures, and pain are part of life—we all wish to avoid them, but we cannot do so by denying their existence. If we can choose to accept them, they will lose their power to dominate us. They will become normalized, even transformed into positive opportunities for growth, learning, and achievement.

Jesse Livermore wrote: “I don’t mind being wrong, but I hate staying wrong.” My interpretation of this is: Making mistakes is acceptable—but refusing to admit them and persisting in error is not.

Focus

Focus is the method of directing perception. When we focus, we simultaneously narrow and expand the scope of our conscious awareness.

By reducing the number of markets you trade, you can expand the depth of information you process for those specific markets.

The only way to master anything is to read extensively in your chosen field, practice relentlessly, and model yourself after those who have already succeeded.

With sufficient knowledge and practice, you can excel at anything you set your mind to. Early on, I developed a crucial mental association regarding the entire process of learning and practice required to achieve goals: This is fun!

The belief that learning is essential keeps me focused on absorbing knowledge as much as possible and expanding my perceptual horizons. You must leverage the subconscious mind’s susceptibility to influence to manage your ability to focus. For example, when you are tempted to say, “I could never do this on my own,” reframe it as: “This is quite challenging—how can I make it easier?” When you want to say, “I’m not capable of this,” rephrase it to: “I’ve failed at this before—what’s a better way to approach it now?” When you think, “That’s ridiculous, it’s impossible,” shift to: “Why does this seem impossible? What am I overlooking?” When you catch yourself saying, “No one has ever done this,” transform it into: “That’s strange—why hasn’t anyone tried this before?” Better yet: “This could be a breakthrough—no one has ever done this!” The way we talk to ourselves guides our ability to focus. The content and tone of our internal dialogue reflect whether we adopt a positive or negative attitude toward life. What’s more, they shape the quality and quantity of results our subconscious mind produces.

The Power of Questions

Have you noticed that, in the passages above, I rephrased most statements as questions? This is no coincidence—questions are the most effective tool for redirecting perceptual focus.

Thus, you must be mindful of the words you use in your internal dialogue. Avoid a tone of self-condemnation; instead, pose questions that guide positive change. Certain questions should be avoided at all costs, such as: “Why does this always happen to me? Why am I so unlucky? Why am I so stupid? Why is the world so unfair? Why can’t I be wealthy? Why does everyone treat me this way?” When you ask such questions, the subconscious mind will generate answers that bear no connection to reality—answers like: “Because you don’t deserve any better; because you’re a born loser; because you’re ignorant and worthless; because life is unfair for everyone except a lucky few; because only the fortunate get rich, and you’re a born loser; I told you so—you’re ignorant and worthless, and you don’t deserve any better.”

The Importance of Evaluation

On a subconscious level, our actions are driven by two primary emotions: the desire to seek pleasure and the need to avoid pain. Furthermore, these two emotions are governed by subconscious associations, which are formed based on the values and beliefs we have adopted—a process that may not be consciously endorsed.

Values are the objects we act to pursue; beliefs are the standards that allow us to experience those values in a particular way.

Values and Identity

If you are like most people, your identity was not defined through a deliberate, structured process but evolved gradually through osmosis. Throughout your life, you absorbed values and counter-values from external sources: your upbringing, education, and social environment. Your value system may be fragmented and chaotic, even contradictory. Or, your values may be well-aligned, but your counter-values are a mess. In any case, if you wish to take control of your life, you must first understand the structure of your identity before you can begin to make the changes you desire.

Beliefs and Personality

Standards are not the same as goals. Goals are the tangible objects you strive to achieve; standards are the benchmarks you use to judge your actions.

I believe that to pursue success, you should: on the one hand, set high standards for yourself—the higher your goals, the greater your achievements will be; on the other hand, adopt lenient standards for evaluating your self-worth.

In most cases, limiting beliefs are the root cause of failure—including the belief that life is not meant to be an enjoyable journey. Here are some typical limiting global beliefs:

• I’m not smart enough.

• I lack confidence.

• I’m too young.

• I’m too old.

• I’m too ignorant.

• I don’t deserve any of this.

• I’ll never be wealthy.

• I can’t change who I am.

• Life is a curse.

• Life is a ridiculous dream.

• Life is “a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”[4]

• Life is completely beyond my control.

• People are cruel.

• People are foolish.

• People are lazy.

• Human nature is inherently evil.

• People will take advantage of you whenever they can, then discard you like garbage.

If you hold such beliefs, how can you possibly achieve your goals?

Your beliefs are self-fulfilling prophecies. Always remember: the subconscious mind is highly suggestible—it believes whatever you tell it to believe.

You already possess the intelligence and ability to succeed—you just need to eliminate the limitations you have imposed on yourself. Therefore, examine all your beliefs and rules; identify the ones that are limiting and disempowering.

Here are some empowering global beliefs to adopt:

• Life is full of infinite possibilities.

• Every problem represents a new challenge and a new opportunity for growth.

• I am fortunate to have a healthy body.

• I have the power to control my own destiny.

• People are a source of knowledge, inspiration, and joy.

• Where there’s a will, there’s always a way.

When defining new rules for yourself, make it easy to win. These rules should make you feel passionate, loving, happy, and successful… There is no need to set difficult or impossible rules. Yes, life will always present challenges—but the pursuit of your goals already entails enough obstacles. We do not need to “chase impossible dreams” or “fight unwinnable battles.” Life is too short to create unnecessary barriers that make it tedious.

3， How to Manage the Subconscious Mind

At the conscious level, we need to link negative and limiting values and beliefs to pain in the past, present, and future, while associating positive and empowering values and beliefs with pleasure in the present and future.

Anthony Robbins developed a method he calls the Dickens Pattern.

The core steps of the Dickens Pattern are as follows:

1. Select a belief you wish to change. Close your eyes and recall all the pain this belief has caused you in the past. Feel the burden it has imposed, and remember the consequences it has led to. Think about everything you have lost—love, joy, opportunities. How has this belief impacted your finances, career, and relationships? Focus fully on the pain and losses you have endured, as if they were happening all over again. Recall every painful experience you can, knowing they all stemmed from this limiting belief.

2. Keep your eyes closed and reflect on the pain this limiting belief is causing you right now, including all the harm carried over from past experiences. How do you feel in the present moment? Do you feel drained and exhausted? Do you feel helpless, as if you have no control over your life? How is it affecting your social life? Have you missed out on many moments of joy because of it? How is it impacting you physically, emotionally, and mentally? Feel that pain deeply.

3. Project yourself into the future, and imagine the pain this belief will bring one year from now. Carry the heavy burden of the past and feel its weight pressing down on you. What price will this pain force you to pay in your career? What toll will it take on your relationships? How will it damage your self-image and confidence? On an emotional level, truly experience that pain—use your body: take deep breaths, and adopt a posture that conveys suffering. Hold that vivid pain in your mind and focus on it intently. Then, project yourself five years into the future and repeat this process of confronting pain. Visualize how these failures will escalate and compound over the years, and feel the mounting pressure of these accumulated setbacks. What are you saying to yourself? How do you feel about who you are? Are you growing stronger or weaker? More in control or more powerless? Reflect on the outcomes of clinging to this limiting belief. Do you look haggard and worn down? Exhausted and defeated? Disheveled and broken? What price are you paying in every area of your life? How are the people you love being dragged down with you? Five long years—let the pain you feel intensify, and let your body slump under its weight. Recall the blows it has dealt to every facet of your life. Then, project the pain ten and twenty years into the future, and repeat the entire process.

4. Note: If you engage in this process sincerely, it will be an extremely painful experience. For Terry (my collaborator), projecting the pain just one year ahead was enough to trigger a strong urge to quit. However, when the pain becomes intense enough, the mind will force you to change immediately. Do everything in your power to make the future pain as vivid and real as possible.

5. Pull yourself back to the present moment. Stretch your body, take several deep breaths, and use physical movement to fill yourself with energy. Let go of the limiting belief completely, and focus on the new, empowering belief you wish to adopt. Your mind is now primed for change… Allow yourself to feel the excitement of anticipation. State your new belief in clear, affirmative terms, and think to yourself: “If I embrace this belief now, my entire life will be transformed.”

6. Close your eyes and visualize how your life changes once you adopt this new belief. Imagine the sense of control and confidence it brings you. Savor the feelings of mastery and self-assurance, and use your body to amplify these emotions—stand tall, breathe deeply, and radiate positivity. Fully imagine that you already hold this new belief in the present. Then, project yourself five years into the future with this belief firmly in place. How has your life changed? Do you feel more in control? More energized? More charismatic? Do you feel more capable of making a meaningful contribution? More self-confident? More passionate about life? How has this positive belief improved your financial situation? Are you now able to pursue opportunities you once dared not even consider? How have these changes rippled out to every area of your life? Are your relationships deeper and more fulfilling? Feel these transformations, and let them permeate every aspect of your imagined life. Holding this belief, how do you feel about your accomplishments over these five years? Move another five years forward and repeat the process. Look at how much has changed in a decade! Is everything fundamentally different? Experience the elevation this belief has brought to every level of your life. Now, project yourself twenty years into the future, and feel the profound shifts and expansions in your life!

7. Compare the outcomes brought by these two opposing beliefs, and make your choice. Return to the present moment, and let yourself feel the excitement and infinite possibilities of your new future.

8. Sit down and write down how each new belief will enhance the meaning of your life.

This process creates new associations in your subconscious mind. It links the positive changes you desire to pleasure, not pain.

Virtually any limiting belief can be transformed using this method. The effectiveness depends entirely on how thoroughly you engage in the process and how vividly you can visualize the associated pain and pleasure. My purpose in sharing this method is to encourage you to try it and experience its transformative potential. I strongly recommend you conduct this experiment, study the works of Anthony Robbins and other experts in the field, and continue to develop your ability to create change and take control of your life.

Anchoring

Anchoring is a subconscious mental process that connects a sensory stimulus to a specific emotion or set of emotional states. What does this mean? Whenever you are in an intensely emotional situation, any distinct, repeated external stimulus can become linked to the emotions you are experiencing at that moment. If the association is strong enough, the stimulus alone can trigger the associated emotional state whenever it occurs.

The anchoring process usually requires several repetitions to be effective, and you should test it afterward. I know a young man who could never smile when he made eye contact with attractive women. He wasn’t shy—he simply couldn’t summon a smile. So he decided to use anchoring. One day, when a very charming girl smiled at him, he found himself smiling back naturally. Since he had just learned the anchoring technique, he recognized this as the perfect opportunity. The feeling he experienced in that moment was exactly the emotion he wanted to evoke, and the smile was the exact response he desired—so he touched the cartilage just above his left earlobe. Now, whenever he touches his left ear in the same way, he automatically breaks into a friendly, genuine smile.

Through observing my own behavior and that of others, I have discovered that anyone can change themselves—if they truly have the desire to do so.