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Stabilizing with an Anchor |
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A second tool we can use for neutralizing emotion also relies on the association between body senses and the mind. It is related to using a trigger. But instead of the aim being to do something that helps make the shift, this one aims at stabilizing the shift. This is called anchoring. Once we have made a shift, we can hold on to the neutralizing thought or feeling by again performing a simple connection with the visual or kinesthetic (touch) senses. |
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For example, let's say we were feeling a little anxious after watching Citigroup go down. We employ the trigger behavior, let's say to lightly pull on the left earlobe, and this helps take us to neutralizing thoughts, such as "Don't get excited. It's only short term, based on the whole financial sector dropping today. You know how the financial sector moves in relation to changes in bond prices. The fundamentals of the company haven't changed. First piece of good news and it's back up there again." This can then be reinforced by an anchoring behavior, such as looking at a smiling Buddha statue on the bookshelf. |
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What this does is begin to build a mental and neurological association between the positive, neutralizing thoughts and the anchor of a pleasant, smiling Buddha statue. And over time, it is possible that just glancing at the statue will further reinforce the positive feeling that goes with neutralizing the negative thoughts. |
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And here's the good part: Once a firm mental association is made with the anchoring object, it can have its positive effect without even having to consciously think about it. In other words, the anchor becomes unconsciously reinforcing simply out of habit. Since bad habits work this way, it makes sense that good ones will too. |
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One of the reasons I think it is to our advantage to have a relatively clean and organized office setting for our trading is related to the use of triggers and anchors. Since we can use various objects in our setting to trigger and anchor positive shifts of thought and associated feelings, it is a good idea to have things in a set place where every time we look there, our eyes will find the same object, not have to search around for it. |
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The more orderly and consistent trigger and anchoring objects are in the office, the more automatic and unconscious these mental connections may be made. Mental associations are being made all the time with events and associated objects or movements of the |
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