Trading Philosophy - Keep Notes To Improve Knowledge Gaps
How Writing Down What You Learn Can Make You a Smarter Trader and a More Informed Person
For the past few months, I’ve made it a habit to write down pieces of information I’ve learned—or forgotten—to reinforce my understanding of new topics and solidify my knowledge about the world. This isn’t just about trading. It’s about diving into geopolitics, philosophy, economics, and everything in between. Some examples of topics I’ve explored include:
Understanding National Debt
The Geopolitics of the Russia-Ukraine War
The Economic Collapse of Argentina
And honestly, anything else that piques my curiosity.
I use Notion (though any note-taking app works) to organize my thoughts. Recently, national debt has been a hot topic in the media and politics. Its risks have sparked concern for many, so I decided to break it down for myself—like I was studying for an exam. I think it’s easier to show you what I mean rather than explain it. Here’s a snapshot of what I’m talking about:
Why I Do This
The world is f*cking complex. It takes time and effort to decipher new topics, and writing them down helps solidify them in my brain. Over time, I can refine, adjust, or even completely change my understanding based on new information.
For example, as I learn more about national debt, I can start asking deeper questions:
What’s an appropriate level of debt for a country?
At what debt-to-GDP ratio should we start worrying?
How does national debt impact interest rates, inflation, and ultimately, the markets?
By keeping these notes, I’m not just memorizing facts—I’m building a framework to understand the world better.
The Goal
The goal here is simple:
to become a more well-rounded person and, in turn, a better trader.
Trading isn’t just about charts and patterns. It’s about understanding the forces that move markets—geopolitical events, economic policies, and even philosophical shifts in society. By expanding my knowledge, I can make more informed decisions and see opportunities others might miss.
For instance, understanding national debt helps one understand central bank policies, which influence interest rates and, ultimately, market trends. Similarly, studying the Russia-Ukraine war gives me insights into commodity prices and global supply chains.
It’s way more complex than this, but even having a foundational understanding go these topics, I think, contributes the goal of becoming a more informed person!
Final Thoughts
This note-taking habit isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. Some notes might be messy or incomplete, and that’s okay. The point is to keep learning, keep refining, and keep growing.
If you’re not already doing this, I highly recommend giving it a try. Start with a topic that interests you—whether it’s national debt, geopolitics, or something entirely different—and see where it takes you. A few other broader-based topics I have in my notes include:
And if you’re curious about how I apply this knowledge to trading, check out my post on How Macro Trends Impact Trading Strategies.
What’s a topic you’ve recently explored that changed your perspective? Share it in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!
-F4VS
Trading Philosophy - Index:
Trading Philosophy - Eating Glass and Staring into the Abyss
Trading Philosophy - Technical Analysis and Printing Money in the Sky
Trading Philosophy - Why Famous Investors Have Philosophy Degrees...
Trading Philosophy - Keep Notes To Improve Knowledge Gaps
