Feb

14

About five years ago, I lost my business partner and friend to a heart attack. I know it was caused by the stress of the markets. My Dad spoke to him hours before he passed away.

This weekend, I lost a friend to suicide. He was well versed in the markets and extremely bright…easily a match for my former partner. Again, I know the stress of trading and investing is big, but you have to make sure you can burn it off in a positive way. In his case, he couldn't handle the stress of investing and a failing marriage.

I have too many friends on Dailyspec, and frankly I do worry about you folks. Both these guys knew what was going on… they were neither stupid nor weak people.

Make sure to recall this is a game, and those you come home to at night are your real treasure. If you don't think of it as a game, you should leave the business immediately for the sake of those you love and who depend on you.

Best,

Jeff Rollert

Victor Niederhoffer writes:

I knew and admired the first person. He was larger than life, enjoying all aspects of it to the full, and appreciative of all his friends and family. He had a myriad of interests, and loved life in all its aspects. A man like Falstaff but good in all his facets. I miss him greatly and will always remember with gratitude the fine and large points he enriched in my life and others.


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  1. Arthur on February 16, 2012 2:45 pm

    I promised not to leave comments here, but that was an important post, and important to keep in mind.
    When I first started as a prop. trader (12 years ago) after my first month trading, in one day I lost about 50k (at the time it was a huge amount for me). I walked to the elevator ready to break it open with my head (we all been there,”how could I hold it for so long” etc..) this Hasidim guy is standing next to me and asks, “what happened today?”, I say “I lost 50k in one trade” he turns to me and says, “ahhh, thank God you had 50k to lose”.
    Besides thinking about Dr.N., these are the words I always hear if I am down.
    On the question of happiness and stress, I am travelling now in Southeast Asia and visited parts of Cambodia that are not frequented by tourists. The poverty level is indescribable, but surprisingly people are happy. I asked one guy, “why are you happy?” he says “I don’t know anything different”, maybe ignorance is bliss.
    So the point is, if you are on the verge of committing suicide, pack your shit and visit me in Southeast Asia :) . It is really beautiful here, and if you already been here go someplace else (psychologists say that you can’t run away from yourself, I say you can change the surrounding environment and your perception of reality will change with it).

    Sorry for your loss Jeff, thanks for your post.
    Arthur.

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