August 21, 2025

The Success Trap: Why Progress Feels Like It’s Slipping Away (and How to Lock It In)

27 minutes

Why do traders so often give back their biggest wins within days? It’s not a lack of discipline — it’s because your mind is wired to pull you back to an old comfort zone. In this episode, George unpacks the hidden “success set-point” that keeps traders stuck in cycles of sabotage, explains why your results always return to the level of your self-image, and shows you how to expand your capacity to hold success, not just taste it.

Through stories, analogies, and actionable tools, you’ll learn how to stop turning progress into setbacks and lock in your wins as the new normal.

Key Takeaways

Winning in trading often triggers sabotage because it pushes you beyond your subconscious comfort zone.
Your trading results will always return to the level of your self-image.
Getting overly excited after a win is a sign your nervous system doesn’t see success as normal yet.
Success isn’t just about getting wins — it’s about expanding your identity to be comfortable holding them.
Three tools to raise your set-point:
1. Post-Win Integration Ritual — journal what you did well, visualize repeating it effortlessly, anchor the feeling.
2. Baseline Reset Exercise — write down your old comfort zone results, cross them out, and declare a new minimum standard.
3. Future Self Calibration — each morning ask, “If I was the trader who naturally maintains my last win, what would I do today?”

Episode Resources

⁠⁠⁠Download the Free PDF:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5 Most Destructive Loops in Trading — and How to Break Them⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Leave a Voice Message:⁠⁠⁠ Ask a question, say hello or suggest a future episode on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SpeakPipe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Follow on Twitter: For daily mindset insights and trading psychology content, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠follow me here⁠⁠⁠

Disclaimer:

Futures, options, and derivatives trading involve substantial risk and are not suitable for every investor. The high degree of leverage in futures trading can work against you as well as for you. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as specific trading, investment, or financial advice. Nothing discussed constitutes an offer to buy or sell any futures contract, option, security, or other financial instrument.

You are solely responsible for your own trading decisions, and you should carefully consider whether trading is appropriate for your financial situation, experience level, and risk tolerance. Always consult with a licensed financial advisor, registered broker, or other qualified professional before making trading or investment decisions.

While efforts are made to present accurate and timely information, the host makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of any information presented and assumes no liability for any losses that may arise from reliance on this content.

By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

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By George Papazov

4.9

9595 ratings

August 21, 2025

The Success Trap: Why Progress Feels Like It’s Slipping Away (and How to Lock It In)

27 minutes

Through stories, analogies, and actionable tools, you’ll learn how to stop turning progress into setbacks and lock in your wins as the new normal.

Key Takeaways

Winning in trading often triggers sabotage because it pushes you beyond your subconscious comfort zone.
Your trading results will always return to the level of your self-image.
Getting overly excited after a win is a sign your nervous system doesn’t see success as normal yet.
Success isn’t just about getting wins — it’s about expanding your identity to be comfortable holding them.
Three tools to raise your set-point:
1. Post-Win Integration Ritual — journal what you did well, visualize repeating it effortlessly, anchor the feeling.
2. Baseline Reset Exercise — write down your old comfort zone results, cross them out, and declare a new minimum standard.
3. Future Self Calibration — each morning ask, “If I was the trader who naturally maintains my last win, what would I do today?”