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What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars summary
Jim Paul
Brendan Moynihan
The story of a man who lost it all
17 mins
Brief summary
What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars by Jim Paul and Brendan Moynihan is a memoir that narrates the story of how Jim Paul, a successful Wall Street trader, lost most of his wealth by making wrong decisions and overestimating his abilities. The book offers valuable lessons on the dangers of overconfidence and the importance of risk management.
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What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars
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Jim Paul made a fortune but lost everything after failing to face up to mounting losses.
Jim Paul always wanted one thing in life – to make money, as much of it as he could. Decades later, he was on top of the world and had just made $248,000 in a single day. He’d reached the top young and was brimming with self-confidence.
Paul landed a job in futures trading and was soon known to everyone on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. An imposing six foot three, he had a big voice and wasn’t afraid to bark out orders.
That’s when things started to go wrong. His unshakable self-belief would prove fatal.
Paul was interested in the soybean oil market. Supplies were running low, but demand was buoyant. Prices would rise. Anticipating a spike in the market, Paul bought up positions – a commitment to buy at a later date.
Sure that he’d read the market correctly, he exceeded the limits on positions set by the Chicago Board of Trade. Paul’s conviction was so great that he managed to persuade his customers, friends and even his office assistant to get on board with his plan. Why wouldn’t they want to be part of it? They were all going to be rich!
Then the market started to turn. Paul didn’t budge.
Things had been looking good for months. Now there was political instability and the threat of grain sanctions. Bad weather damaged bean crops.
Soybean prices began to dip, and Paul’s losses started to mount. For months, he lost $20,000 every day.
Both his clients and other traders had already jumped ship, but Paul remained convinced. He knew the market would turn and they’d regret their decision. The writing was on the wall, but Paul was so confident of his skill as a trader that he couldn’t see what was happening. He was about to lose everything.
The end finally came when his manager fired him and seized his assets. By that point, he’d already lost $800,000, half of it borrowed from friends.
So why did Paul stick to his decision when all the evidence was pointing the other way?
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What is What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars about?
What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars (1994) is the story of a trader’s rise to the top and the bad decisions that cost him a fortune. It examines the psychological and behavioral dimensions of market trading and asks why traders sometimes abandon all reason and allow losses to keep mounting until they become unmanageable. It explains not only how losses can be avoided but also why avoiding them is far more important than making money if you want to succeed.
What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars Review
What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars (1994) is an insightful book that chronicles the author's personal journey of losing a substantial amount of money in the stock market. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Through raw honesty and transparent storytelling, it provides valuable lessons on risk-taking, decision-making, and the psychology of investing.
- With its practical insights and real-life experiences, the book offers a unique perspective on the importance of discipline and emotional intelligence in financial matters.
- Compelling and engaging, this book manages to turn a potentially dry topic into an intriguing narrative that keeps readers invested in the story until the very end.
Best quote from What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars
Learning how not to lose money is more important than learning how to make money.
—Jim Paul, Brendan Moynihan
Who should read What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars?
- Traders who want to understand how psychology might affect their decision-making
- People who want to understand how we rationalize and justify loss
- Anyone interested in getting rich by trading
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What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars FAQs
What is the main message of What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars?
The main message of What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars is the importance of learning from failure and embracing the right mindset for success.
How long does it take to read What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars?
The reading time for What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars a good book? Is it worth reading?
What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars is worth reading because it offers valuable insights on the psychology of risk-taking and the importance of learning from mistakes.
Who is the author of What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars?
The authors of What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars are Jim Paul and Brendan Moynihan.
What to read after What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars?
If you're wondering what to read next after What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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- Trading in the Zone by Mark Douglas
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- Make Money Trading Options by Michael Sincere
- How to Day Trade for a Living by Andrew Aziz
- The Happiness Equation by Neil Pasricha
- Market Mind Games by Denise Shull
- Millionaire Mission by Brian Preston
- Reminiscences of a Stock Operator by Edwin Lefèvre
- The Upside of Stress by Kelly McGonigal