I enjoy futures spread seasonal trading. So slow it reminds me a big chess board. I do not enjoy being a daytrading screen-slave. That is where automation really helps. God bless it
Losing is never enjoyable. Going further in the hole (losses from your starting capital) is the most painful. Losing and giving back previous banked profits is not nearly as painful as losses from starting capital. A winning trade is the most fun, but shouldn't really be, as you can easily lose that winner back on the next few trades. The ideal is to have so much in the way of profits already banked, such that winning or losing on the current trade doesn't effect your emotions much at all.
There are few things in life I enjoy more. Like any other intense performance activity it's important to have some kind of structure in place to keep stress down, avoid burnout and manage volatility (of capital and especially emotions). Quite frankly if you don't enjoy trading, then quit without hesitation and find something else to do. There are lots of other ways to make a living. Life isn't a contest in racking up the biggest investment portfolio, and it's too short to waste on an inherently stressful, risky activity you dislike.
Market Wizards quote from Bill Eckhardt. If trading is so emotionally unsatisfying, is the only rationale for doing it financial? I can't imagine why anyone would do it if it weren't financially positive.. If you're playing for the emotional satisfaction, you're bound to lose, because what feels good is often the wrong thing to do.. Whether you measure it in money or in some other way, to win at trading you have to be playing for the success.
Interesting..When you say volatility,i am assuming you are referring to market movement and not trading vol..Are you fully automated and not staring at the screen all day??
We should be happy with what we are doing. Trading is more challenging than many other jobs. Trading is just another job. As with any job, we need the habit and mindset to be successful. If have watched the Winning Methods of the Market Wizards by Jack Schwagger, there is no one method in order to be successful. 1. Having the right habit and execute your plan The Power of Habit: Charles Duhigg at TEDxTeachersCollege See... stop focusing on the marshmallow. In trading, stop focusing on the profit and focus on the process. 2. Having right mindset and learn from mistake Mindset Book Summary & Review (Carol Dweck) - ANIMATED It took Einstein about 10 years to formulate the Theory of General Relativity.
I enjoy trading as well! I enjoy analyzing charts and seeing patterns form out. But I do it for may 3-4 hrs a day - if I would be glued to the screen for 14 hours I would not enjoy it anymore I believe. And yeah - losing a trade still irritates me sometimes, even if I tell myself I did everything as per plan.
I love everything about trading BUT trading itself. I love backtesting new trading strategies I love seeing day to day market moves and how I make out each day I love seeing my automation come to life and work exactly as it's programmed But sitting there watching charts and analyzing, and waiting for trades....HELL NO