Business & Technical Writing/Wonder and ever made

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Expert: Alice J. Bogert - 3/19/2009


Question
Dear Alice,
could you help me with the meaning of the word Wonder and Ever Made in the follwing sentence, please.
When I first started trading, I made all the mistakes, I didn't trade size, I didn't plan, my strategies were ineffective and I didn't goal set. In fact, it's a WONDER  I EVER MADE it in trading looking back at the earlier mistakes.
Thanks,
MARCELO

Answer
Hi Marcelo,

I'm happy to decode the meanings for you.  The writer is saying that when he first started trading, he did not do the things one is supposed to do to maximize success, like setting goals and defining what was needed to meet those goals.  In spite of failing to do it the "right way," the writer met with success.

When the write says "it's a wonder I ever made it in trading," what he is saying is given that he didn't do things the "right way" to be successful in trading, he is surprised that he did, in fact, realize success anyway.  

The moral of the story to me is that there is more than one right way to get things done.  What matters is not so much the process one uses to get where one wants to go (assuming the process is ethical and legal).  It is the end result that matters.  Did the process lead to success or not.

Take care, Marcelo.  I wish you well.

Alice J. Bogert

Business & Technical Writing

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Alice J. Bogert

Expertise

I have taught English grammar to elementary school, high school, and college students for several years in addition to private tutoring for students struggling with writing assignments. I also teach adult writing classes for business professionals in the private sector as well as for various government agencies. I have edited manuscripts and other writings submitted by various authors for publication to magazines and journals

Experience

I have studied English grammar for many years. While employed as a federal probation officer, I wrote hundreds of pre-sentence reports to assist federal judges in making fair and appropriate sentencing decisions. I've written short stories and poetry for publication, and I've helped write policy and procedure manuals for various government offices.

Organizations
National Association of Retired Federal Employees Writers Guild of America Professional Women's Assoc.

Publications
"Journal of Juvenile and Family Courts," 1978. "International Library of Poetry," 2003.

Education/Credentials
I have an M.A, Degree in Sociology, and I minored in English.

Awards and Honors
I received three meritorious quality step awards for excellence during my career as a federal probation officer. I was also a nominee for National Probation Officer of the Year in 1986. I am listed in the 1998 edition of "Who's Who in Professions."

Past/Present Clients
California County and State government Federal government Various School Districts Los Rio Community College District Readers' Digest

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