David Harding is one of the most successful trend followers alive. I have had the opportunity to meet with him several times. An excerpt from The Little Book of Trading:
Who doesn’t want to make a billion dollars? Yes, I imagine there are downsides to that type of wealth, but it must be one helluva ride to produce that kind of success— especially from essentially nothing. Is it a reasonable goal for you to make a billion dollars? Well, the odds are probably not on your side for that.
However, sometimes in this world, this crazy and often chaotic world of ours, people win the lottery. They buy a scratch-off ticket and win millions. They didn’t practice. They didn’t struggle. They didn’t do anything except buy a scratch-off ticket.
On the other side are people like David Harding. Harding struggled mightily early. However, Harding stuck with it for decades and is now a true billionaire. Don’t get me wrong—Harding, like many success stories, has had luck on his side.
However, that’s not the takeaway here. The takeaway is perseverance. The takeaway is not quitting. That’s how Harding really hit it big. Without perseverance, Harding would have had no chance for luck to shine through.
What can you do? You can learn to think like a trader who has made a billion dollars. And if you think like him, and if you model how a trader like that views the world, you can put yourself in a place to possibly make your billion. Note, I said possibly. The real reason, the honest reason to think like a billionaire, is to make your first million. Anyone with guts and determination can figure a way to make their first million, but you have to stick with the ups and downs. Known as the commodities king (primarily because the press always talk about some of the markets trend followers trade as opposed to their strategy), London’s Harding could be called an overnight trading sensation— only 30 years in the making.
His trend following trading has produced, on average, nearly 20 percent a year for 20 years. Let that digest for a second as you ponder the buy and hold investments in mutual funds you may have, slowing eating away at your capital and your sanity.
These days, the white-haired financial wizard (still under 50) enjoys collecting books on economic history, some dating back to the 1860s. In my time with him, he carried that distinct American entrepreneurial spirit center stage, along with a salty tongue of randy one-liners, all wrapped in a quintessential British flair.
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Feedback from a listener who spotted David Harding in the news recently:
Hi Michael,
I hope you are well. Great work with the podcast. I thought I’d let you know that David Harding made front page news of the Australian Financial Review (23 November 2015).
Not too sure whether you can access the above given online version is subscription based. I’ve attached a PDF of the article for your reference. Looking forward to the next time David Harding makes an appearance on your show.
Cheers,
[Name]
Thanks!
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