Gavin, a chartered accountant, spent 15 years stuck in cycles of over-analysis, hesitation, and frustration. After trying fundamental analysis, technical tools, ETF strategies, and even SPA3 Investor without fully committing, he found that the problem wasn’t the markets, it was his mindset.
Background
When Gavin started trading in 2005, he assumed his background as a chartered accountant gave him an edge, so he leaned heavily on fundamental analysis, scanning company reports and balance sheets. Over time he noticed the problem: fundamentals moved slower than markets, and by the time earnings or ratios revealed a shift, prices had already moved.
“I thought if I just dug into the numbers hard enough, I’d find certainty,” Gavin recalls. “But markets don’t care about certainty.” So he turned to technical analysis. At first it felt promising, but the more indicators he added, the less decisive he became, and like many retail traders, he slipped into analysis paralysis — a pattern also seen in how Ron B. transformed his trading consistency after 20 years of struggle.
Before SWS
The old pattern: Fundamental analysis that lagged the market, technical indicators that multiplied into analysis paralysis, and ETF strategies built on discretionary calls Gavin kept second-guessing. He had even joined SPA3 Investor, but used it only partially rather than committing to the system.
The desired shift: A single rules-based system, SPA3 Investor, paired with the mindset training and habits needed to follow its signals automatically, without hesitation or second-guessing.
The Turning Point
The turning point came when Gavin stopped searching for the “right” indicator and looked inward instead. Inspired by investor Tom Basso, he listed his own strengths (perseverance, analytical skill, detail focus) and weaknesses (procrastination, perfectionism, emotional discipline). That self-assessment led him to re-engage with Share Wealth Systems, this time combining SPA3 Investor’s mechanics with mindset training drawn from Mark Douglas’s Trading in the Zone and James Clear’s Atomic Habits.
“It sounds simple, but it was transformational. The system didn’t change, I did.”
— Gavin, SWS member
The SWS Process He Adopted
Gavin built new habits around the SPA3 Investor system: daily affirmations to reinforce probability-based thinking, fixed entry and exit routines to avoid procrastination, journaling of trades and emotions to build awareness, and starting small to reduce stress and let the habits grow.
SPA3 Investor signals
Rules-based entry and exit signals from SPA3 Investor, applied fully instead of the partial use Gavin had settled for in the past.
Fixed routines
Fixed entry and exit routines removed the moment-by-moment decisions that used to trigger procrastination.
Daily habits
Daily affirmations, journaling of trades and emotions, and starting small built consistency through identity, not motivation, as described in Atomic Habits.
Re-engaging with SWS
Gavin re-engaged with Share Wealth Systems, pairing the mechanical system with mindset training based on Trading in the Zone.
Outcomes
Within months, Gavin noticed clear changes. Trades were executed automatically, without hesitation. Losses no longer triggered spirals of doubt or revenge-trading. His focus shifted from single outcomes to long-term expectancy, and he spent less time watching markets and more time living his life.
“It’s not about winning every trade. It’s about flawless effort, doing my job, and letting the edge play out. That’s when trading finally felt effortless.”
Reported outcome: Gavin doesn’t share exact personal figures, but reports that his execution now aligns more closely with SPA3 Investor’s rules-based process. Separately, the SWS ASX Portfolio has delivered 12%+ annualised since January 2016 using audited real-money results. Individual results vary.
Gary’s Commentary
Trading is about you, not the markets.
“Trading is never really about the markets. It’s about you. Once you learn to step back, trust a rules-based process, and remove the noise, trading becomes simple. That’s when consistency starts to show up.” As Gary often reminds members, Gavin’s shift wasn’t about finding a better strategy, it was about breaking the cycle of doubt and second-guessing that had followed him for 15 years.
— Gary Stone, founder of Share Wealth Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Gavin's trading background before finding consistency?
Gavin, a chartered accountant, started trading in 2005 and cycled through fundamental analysis, technical indicators, and ETF strategies over 15 years without fully committing to any one system.
What caused Gavin's 15 years of trading frustration?
Gavin fell into analysis paralysis, adding more indicators and strategies without ever trusting one process, including using SPA3 Investor only partially rather than committing fully.
What changed for Gavin?
Gavin combined SPA3 Investor's rules-based signals with mindset training drawn from Trading in the Zone and Atomic Habits, building daily habits like affirmations, journaling, and fixed entry and exit routines.
Is Gavin's experience typical of every SWS member?
No. Gavin's case study describes his individual, self-reported experience. Individual results vary, and past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
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About Gary Stone
Gary Stone is the founder of Share Wealth Systems and creator of the SPA3 trading methodology, with over 30 years of market experience and 8,000+ hours of R&D.
Share Wealth Systems holds Australian Financial Services Licence AFSL 250900.