The great debate - Full-time trading vs Part-time trading

Frequently asked questions.

Is it necessary to be a full-time trader in order to succeed in the market?

Do I really have to sacrifice a part of me in order to gain something in the markets?

Am I less of a person if I am not a full-time trader? If I have other responsibilities in life?

Is full-time trading the pinnacle of the markets?

As of this writing, I am currently in my 4th year in trading in different markets (PSE, Crypto, US) and also going through the process of trial and error, I experienced how these two types of trading work differently and their pros and cons.

Fulltime trading pro's

Time is in your hands

You are the boss

You can do what you want when you want all the time.

Full-time trading con's

No job security

Uncertain income cashflow

Too many uncertain variables at hand

Not for everyone.

Part-time trading pro's

Stability of a job

Part-time trading con's

1. Does not work well on the same trading styles that require intense screen time (scalping, day trading)

2. Limited screentime results in a slow learning curve (especially if you are in the process of building a trading system) the commitment that is needed in your 10,000 hours may delay due to time constraints.

However

Stability and security is an illusion - you are always a moment away from being fired (whether as an employee or an owner of the company with a board that has a tremendous political influence on its members)

A bigger question arises.

Do "Fulltime traders" rely on trading alone to sustain their finances or do they have their "side hustles"

Personally speaking, I have yet to encounter a person who does full-time trading ALONE for a living sustaining his/her monthly expenses while achieving his/her financial goals

To end this debate, 

My personal truths are.

1. Both works - on certain people, not everyone is privileged enough to become a full-time trader given the constraints of reality, responsibilities, and priorities.

2. Full-time trading is just another means to an end - To some people, it may be their lifework, their bread and butter and that is understandable. If you really dig deep, there are many ways how to achieve financial freedom. Do not limit yourself to a field that doesn't serve your passion and purpose.

3. Full-time and part-time trading are just a definition - a narrative, a social construct that is defined in the sphere of the financial markets. It doesn't have to define you, as a person, it doesn't have to limit your choices in life. 

4. They are still bound to fail - if they did not persist in the brutal realities of the market.

Should you ever choose one over the other. May you be reminded of this quote.

At the end of the day, we always choose our own version of hard

As always. Feel free to disagree, let's learn from each other.