Flipping Your Trading Mindset: From YOLO Bets to Consistent Options Income

Who else has had a trading journey like this?

You start dabbling in stocks. Maybe you talk to a few friends or scroll through WallStreetBets. You see huge wins (and losses) and notice that the big swings are happening with options trading.

You start buying options… and lose. Then lose again. And again. You realize you’ve become the perfect retail trader the market preys on. All your instincts are wrong.

The Problem With YOLO Mentality

• Buying far out-of-the-money calls with short expirations. This puts your plays against the clock and have a small win rate.

• Gambling on earnings plays. This is extremely risky as anything can happen.

• Chasing hype and buying tops. This comes from FOMO and while you are buying, smart money is selling.

• Hoping one massive trade changes your life. The reality is it won’t happen; and even if it does you will likely lose those gains on future trades if you keep taking risky bets.

• Losing gains by doubling or tripling down. This just compounds your losses.

  
  

When trades go against you, panic selling or reckless overexposure only compounds the damage. It starts to feel like the game is rigged…because it is.

The Mindset Shift to Consistency

Instead of trying to beat the system, play alongside it. The pros don’t chase 500% moonshots. They aim for small, repeatable gains. They manage risk. They think ahead and don’t chase. The become the casino. 

Question: What is a good weekly return goal for consistent options trading? 

Answer: Many successful traders aim for at least 1% return on capital per week. While it sounds small, it compounds significantly over time and can be achieved with proper risk management and strategy.

A 1% Weekly Return Example for Consistent Options Income

Let’s look at an example using $HIMS.

• Current price: $48.37

• Sell a cash secured put for $43.50 expiring in one week.

• Collect $51 in premium

• Capital required: $4,350 (enough to buy 100 shares)

• Return if the option expires worthless: $51 ÷ $4,350 = 1.2%

• Break-even price: $42.99

  
  

What if $HIMS drops below $43.50?

If assigned 100 shares at $43.50, you could immediately sell covered calls the following week for an additional 3–5% return on capital.

Why This Works

• Generates consistent, repeatable cash flow

• Uses technical analysis, market patterns, and sentiment to lower risk

• Avoids emotional overtrading and panic selling

• Takes advantage of theta decay instead of being hurt by it

  
  

The Power of Compounding Small Gains

If you started with:

• $10,000 and made 1% per week → substantial growth over a few years

• $100,000 and made 1% per week → life-changing compounding

  
  

Even my conservative retirement account, where I only sell options, has produced steady returns over 1% per week despite market volatility.

Breaking Free From Market Myths

Some will say it’s not possible to make consistent gains in the market without extreme risk. I’m here to tell you it is—if you flip the mindset from gambling to cash flow.

Want to learn step-by-step how to use cash secured puts and covered calls for steady returns so you can make consistent options income? Join the Theta Daddies community for real-time trade ideas, market analysis, and a supportive network of consistent traders.