writing | MA Shadow

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- What I Wish Someone Told Me About Trading Options for Income
  
  Posted at 9:27 am by MA Shadow, on November 16, 2025
  If you’re anything like me, the phrase “options trading” used to sound like something only Wall Street hotshots understood.
  
  But when I finally sat down and learned how income options really work, I had one very honest reaction:
  
  “Wait… THAT’S it?”
  
  Turns out, you don’t need a finance degree, nerves of steel, or six computer monitors. You just need a simple strategy and a realistic understanding of what income trading actually looks like.
  
  So let me break this down the way I wish someone had explained it to me — friendly, simple, and with a sense of humor intact.
  
  1. Options Income Is Slow and Steady — Not a Lottery Ticket
  
  Before I learned the truth, I thought options traders were either:
  
  A) Getting rich in their sleep, or
  B) Losing everything overnight
  
  The real world is much calmer than that.
  
  Most income traders (like me) make about:
  
  ➡ 1–3% per month
  
  Not flashy… but surprisingly powerful.
  
  This isn’t the “buy a yacht” kind of money. It’s the:
  - pay for groceries
  - cover your phone bill
  - treat yourself to a nice dinner
  - buy a new tool, book, or gadget
  …kind of money.
  
  And honestly? Slow, steady income feels way better than emotional rollercoasters.
  
  2. I Don’t Spend Hours Trading — I Spend Minutes
  
  I used to picture traders glued to their screens all day… like stock-market babysitters.
  
  Nope.
  
  Most weeks, I spend 10 to 20 minutes setting up simple trades. That’s it.
  
  More time for:
  - reading
  - writing
  - relaxing
  - tinkering with tech
  - walking
  - actually living my life
  It’s strangely peaceful. It feels like my money is working for me for once — instead of the other way around.
  
  3. Yes, There’s Risk — But It’s Manageable (And Way Less Scary Than I Expected)
  
  Look, I’ve dealt with way riskier things in life:
  - Tight deadlines
  - Tech that mysteriously stops working
  - Writing that refuses to cooperate
  - IKEA instructions that never make sense
  Options trading — the income kind — doesn’t even compare.
  
  I’m not gambling.
  I’m not guessing.
  I’m not “YOLO’ing” anything.
  
  Instead, I’m:
  
  ✔ Picking stocks I actually like
  ✔ Choosing prices I’m comfortable with
  ✔ Getting paid upfront
  ✔ Keeping everything small and controlled
  ✔ Growing slowly on purpose
  
  Once you see how logical it is, the fear melts away.
  
  4. The Part No One Told Me: I’m in Control the Whole Time
  
  This is what surprised me most.
  
  I choose:
  - the stock
  - the price
  - how long the trade lasts
  - how much income I want
  - how often I trade
  I get to build a strategy that fits:
  - my personality
  - my schedule
  - my retirement goals
  - my creative goals
  - my tech interests
  - my need for income that doesn’t stress me out
  And honestly, it feels good to be in the driver’s seat.
  
  5. The Big Realization That Changed Everything for Me
  
  Income trading isn’t about getting rich fast.
  It’s not about predicting the future.
  It’s not about beating the market.
  
  It’s about creating consistent, low-stress income in a way that fits your life — whether you’re retired, tech-minded, creative, or just someone who wants extra breathing room in the budget.
  
  And the best part?
  
  It’s way simpler than I expected.
  
  I wish I had started sooner.
  | 0 Comments Tagged finance, investing, passive-income, personal-finance, writing
- Writing in Public: The Unexpected Wins From Just Showing Up
  
  Posted at 10:44 am by MA Shadow, on August 3, 2025
  
  What I’ve Learned From Shipping Every Day (Day 8–13)
  
  I’m halfway through Ship30for30 and I’ve gotta say, it’s been a wild, rewarding ride so far.
  
  Days 1–7 were mostly about getting into the habit. Showing up. Hitting “publish” even when I didn’t feel ready.
  
  But something shifted around Day 8. That’s when I started noticing the momentum kicking in.
  
  Here’s what stood out to me between Day 8 and Day 13:
  
  ✅ Day 8: Success Leaves Clues
  I wrote about habits—and realized how much they actually shape outcomes. Not just in theory, but in my own work. Seeing it written down made it feel… real.
  
  ✅ Day 9: Simplifying My Advice
  Instead of overthinking, I shared one tip for beginners in my field. It was simple, clear, and honest—and it resonated. Sometimes less really is more.
  
  ✅ Day 10: Sharing Mistakes
  This was a turning point. I opened up about a big mistake I made early in my career. It felt vulnerable—but freeing. And people actually thanked me for sharing it.
  
  ✅ Day 11: A Wake-Up Call
  I reflected on how I used to avoid growth by hiding behind “experience.” Writing that post hit close to home, but it also reminded me how far I’ve come.
  
  ✅ Day 12: The Weird Stuff
  I had fun with this one—pulling back the curtain on little-known truths about my industry. Got some laughs and “OMG, same!” replies. That felt good.
  
  ✅ Day 13: Teaching What I’ve Learned
  This one came full circle. I built a simple framework to teach a skill I’ve been practicing. It helped me organize my own thoughts—and maybe helped someone else, too.
  
  Before Ship30for30, I didn’t realize how much clarity comes from writing in public.
  
  I thought I was just sharing ideas. But in reality, I’ve been finding my voice.
  
  And maybe even helping someone else find theirs, too.
  
  13 days down. 17 to go.
  
  Let’s keep shipping.
  
  Latest Post: https://x.com/TonyMachado/status/1951952020295835866
  
  | 0 Comments Tagged health, life, mental-health, wellness, writing
- What Ship30for30 has Taught Me Day 7
  
  Posted at 11:21 am by MA Shadow, on July 27, 2025
  
  What Ship30for30 Taught Me About Writing, Consistency, and Confidence
  
  A few months ago, I stumbled across a writing challenge called Ship30for30, a 30-day sprint where you publish a short piece of writing (a “ship”) every single day. I’d heard about it before, but like most things that require daily discipline, I pushed it off.
  
  Until I didn’t.
  
  And signing up was one of the best decisions I’ve made for my creativity, productivity, and confidence.
  
  1. Writing Became a Habit, Not a Headache
  
  Before Ship30, writing felt heavy. I’d overthink every sentence, tweak every paragraph, and sometimes spend hours getting nowhere. But the daily rhythm of shipping micro-essays changed everything. It forced me to focus on ideas, not perfection.
  
  I learned to write fast, write clearly, and hit publish—even when it didn’t feel “ready.” That shift in mindset has carried over into every area of my life, not just writing.
  
  2. The Community Was a Game-Changer
  
  One of the most underrated parts of Ship30 is the community. Everyone’s in the trenches together—shipping daily, offering feedback, encouraging each other. It’s not just a writing course. It’s a movement of people who are serious about improving.
  
  That accountability was huge for me. Seeing others show up every day made me want to do the same. And some of those writers have become friends, collaborators, and inspiration long after the 30 days ended.
  
  3. Publishing Publicly Built My Confidence
  
  There’s something powerful about clicking “Post” every single day. Especially when your work is far from perfect.
  
  Over time, I stopped fearing judgment and started embracing progress. I started focusing on service over ego—“How can this help someone?” instead of “Will people think this is good enough?”
  
  That one shift has made me a braver, more authentic writer.
  
  4. Ideas Are Everywhere Now
  
  Ship30 taught me to see the world through a writer’s lens. Conversations, tweets, books, passing thoughts—everything became potential content.
  
  If you’re thinking about joining Ship 30, here’s my advice: Do it.
  
  It’s not about being perfect. It’s about showing up. And that simple act—of hitting publish daily—has ripple effects far beyond the page.
  
  So thank you, Ship30, for helping me ship, grow, and believe in my voice.
  
  Currently I am on Day 7 Assignment,
  
  see post on X: https://x.com/TonyMachado/status/1949424184418820354
  
  Thanx Tony
  
  | 0 Comments Tagged blogging, books, creative-writing, life, writing
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