George started his career as a trader at Scotiabank in the middle of the housing bubble bust. There he learned invaluable lessons about trading through a crisis. At the time he was writing blog posts in an attempt to warn independent day traders of the impending collapse. He was on the trading floor taking devastating calls that gave him chills. From this passion, he launched an online trading community and continues his work helping empower and train people who are interested in taking control of their finances. He is the founder of TRADEPRO Academy, a company dedicated to helping traders succeed.
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you ended up writing a book?
Dealing with thousands of traders and investors in my career, I have come to understand that a story is the most powerful teaching tool. Everyone starts this industry with big dreams and aspirations of riches overnight. However, the reality of this industry is that it will take a lot more time and resources than you ever thought possible. This is why I wanted to share my journey from immigrating to Canada from Europe, and the challenges I had to overcome to even get a chance in the trading business. Along my journey, I’ve learned invaluable lessons and the idea of the book was to help others just starting to avoid my pitfalls. This is why I have chapter-end exercises to help you develop your journey, as I tell you the story of mine. This book is unique from that perspective, as it’s focused on self-reflection and life design.
What do you hope your readers take away from this book?
I want the reader of the book to understand that life in itself is a journey, and no matter how badly we want something right now, there will be twists and turns that you need to get through. This book lays out the steps and exercises you need to put together a development plan for yourself to thrive in the online trading industry.
What are the top three tools you are currently using to write, publish, and promote your books?
I believe that if the product is hot, they can’t deny it. Currently I am relying entirely on my community to support my book project. The book became an Amazon best-seller in three competitive categories on the first day. I am a big believer of keeping things simple, so your activation energy is low enough to make writing a sustainable habit.
I use Google Docs to write my copy, so I can also invite my editors in to help me on the fly. I published my first book through my own company, TRADEPRO Publishing, a subsidiary of TRADEPRO Academy.
What were the top mistakes you made writing/publishing your book?
The biggest mistake was not starting sooner. I was thinking too much about the entire project and the workload it would require. I started to move quicker through the process when I focused on just writing a little every single day. Instead of seeing it as a book, I thought of myself as writing a journal – to which I had to add one entry daily. With this simplified approach, I was able to write my entire book in just three weeks. Sure, there were some sleepless nights, but when I get in the flow I capitalize and keep writing.
The second mistake I made was to rush the completion of the project. As a creator, once the writing was complete I got anxious to release the book. This led to some mistakes, like picking a cover designer too quickly. This process sidetracked me, and ultimately I had to find someone else that was a better fit for my project.
When will you to consider your book a success?
My goal was to give our community and independent traders out there a great story to read and learn from while getting the opportunity to create their own journey. Hitting best-seller was amazing, but the real reward was the feedback I received from people who read the book. I made an impact, and that was my goal from the first word I wrote.
My very first call was a customer who wanted to check their buying power. Because the stocks he owned on margin had dropped so much in value, our credit department sold his stock position at a loss as he was underfunded. This meant he no longer owned the stocks he purchased. Markets were dropping so fast that by the time you could sell, the stock could have dropped more. I could hear that he was scared, and he wasn’t alone.
This seems very cliche – but just start doing it. Don’t think about writing an entire book, think about doing a chapter. Then think about doing one section of the chapter, then just write the page. When you get into the flow, you will write very quickly – it feels almost as if you’re channeling higher energy. Get started, don’t overthink it, and once you tap into flow the book literally writes itself. But it’s all about creating a schedule of doing at least a little bit daily, and build from there.
What is the one thing you wish you knew before publishing your first book?
In my mind, being an author is one of those accomplishments that felt elusive, like it wasn’t something I deserved. I am willing to bet the most successful authors in history felt the same while they were writing. I wish I knew how easy the process was in comparison to how I constructed it in my head. I’m now working on a second project, and have three more planned. The process is fun, just enjoy it.
I started promoting my book long before it was published. In fact, the first email I sent to my audience was when the book was just an outline – I didn’t have a single word written yet. This helped me stay accountable, but also it helped create buzz. Everyday someone would ask me when the book was coming out, imagine how that would fuel your inspiration?
I also had success in working with friends in my network, who would help me promote the book to their audience. First I shared the manuscript with them to make sure they liked it, and then I would ask for their help. It’s amazing how much more people are willing to do to help you than we assume. Everyone needs help, we just have to ask.
If you had the chance to start your career over again what would you do differently?
Everyone has an ideal outcome, and how amazing it would feel to have it all right now. I took the longest route possible, the one some people would classify as failing. But I worked hard through a lot of challenges, and it made the result even more satisfying. What I’m saying is, I wouldn’t have done anything differently – even if I had a shortcut I wouldn’t take it.
One of my favorite movies is “The Butterfly Effect” with Ashton Kutcher. Why go changing things in the past, when all you have is the present moment. Be grateful for everything you have experienced, that is what makes you unique and your unique edge.
I am fascinated by psychology and the subconscious mind. Lately, I’ve been deep diving in sport psychology – and it fascinates me how applicable it is to everyday life. The reality is everything requires performance, and psychology is the biggest change you can make.
My favorite book on the subject is called “The New Toughness Training For Sports: Mental Emotional Physical Conditioning From World’s Premier Sports Psychologist” – by James E. Loehr.
I also highly recommend “The Power of the Subconscious Mind” by Joseph Murphy.
If you only had $1000 dollars to promote a new book, knowing everything you know now, how would you spend it?
I would ask around in my network and find someone who is willing to help my project by sharing it with their audience, and spend the $1,000 to buy them a thank you gift. These days you need to have an audience or know someone who does. Building an audience and following takes time and extremely high-quality content, so it’s something you can start now and keep working on as a long term strategy. In the short term, you can’t beat co-branding and getting support.
What is your favorite quote?
“Sow a thought, and you reap an act; Sow and act, and you reap a habit; Sow a habit and you reap a character; Sow a character, and you reap a destiny.”
– Charles Reade
Who should we interview next and why?
Dr. Brett Steenbarger, a trading performance psychology coach. He is a world-renowned author and trader and is incredibly knowledgeable.
How can we get in touch with you?
You can reach me at tradeproacademy.com, find my book on Amazon, you can connect with me on social media at Instagram and Twitter via Email: george@tradeproacademy.com.
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