Would anyone be interested in seeing trade logs from other traders? I would be willing to post, but do not want to clutter this thread unnecessarily.
Tonight brought some news that I didn't want to hear. Come Monday I will have to stop trading for approx. two weeks. As I'm yet to make enough from trading to support my family, work calls. What makes matters worse, it's on an outer island in an area devoid of any people, much less an internet cafe. I used to enjoy what I did for a living, first as an ironworker and now a small contractor. But trading has swallowed me whole and it's one of those things where you can feel it in your bones that you were meant to do, or at least die trying. Now; I can't stand... no wait, I f****n' hate my real job or any other for that matter. I would give my left nut to be able to trade full time (I'm not obsessed am I). It's funny, I can work 6 hours and it feels like 20 plus I'm drained. I can trade and do anything related to trading for 18 hours and I can't wait to wake up and do it again. Too bad trading is one of those professions where hard work doesn't necessarily guarantee success. I may trade Monday because I don't know the exact departure time yet. I'll post if I do. This really sucks, but I have no choice. p.s. Go for it jboyd
Bronks Reading your journal is like looking in a mirror. I'm going down the same road. Ive been trading the eminis since the first of the year with mixed results. Scalping them is tough. The competition is pretty ferocious. I trade part time too but dont think this is a problem. Trading half a day is pretty intense. Im not sure Im ready for a full day yet. My power of concentration starts weakening after a few hours but Im an old fart. Two weeks off may do you some good. Will look forward to your return.
Hi Bronks, just wanted to first let you know how much I've appreciated your time in this thread. Also, I'm too a contractor and was living over on the Big Island for a while trading full time. To be honest the early mornings were really tough on me and when it worked out to sell up and move back to the East coast to fill up my funds again to trade :-( I really didn't mind. The time break from trading to refocus and get a better game plan into action has really helped. Remember there is always another opportunity tomorrow !!!! When your rested and relieved from having to make some cash to live on the pressure is cut in half at least. Hang in there, keep your family above trading, and remember trades will show up again just like the surf p.s. God has really blessed the move, with my family time, trading focus/pressure, and I even get pretty good surf All glory to Him. Later Bro', Andy
Hurry back Bronks... I'll save your seat ;-) I've started a new thread with my trade logs at: http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6123&perpage=6&pagenumber=1
andy, easy, boyd-- Thanks for the kind words. Hopefully I make some decent money so I can concentrate on trading for a while.
Bronks says I used to enjoy what I did for a living, first as an ironworker and now a small contractor. But trading has swallowed me whole and it's one of those things where you can feel it in your bones that you were meant to do, or at least die trying. Now; I can't stand... no wait, I f****n' hate my real job or any other for that matter. I am right there with you Bronks. I am a ironworker once again myself. I love trading but the cost of tuition on the market was exspensive. I am back working steel to scrape up another account. Meanwhile I took and passed my series 7 (as a independent) and am talking with two prop trading firms in S. Florida. I would rather trade than anything else in the world, so prop trading is a good fit for me right now even with the potential pitfalls. I have been following your posts from the beginning but I about fell out of my chair when I saw ironworker in your post, a strange combo for us hey, Bronks......
Yes my friend. Ten years ago I would've found no value in someone who works behind a desk and pushes money around. It was the antithesis of what an ironworker stood for. There is a basic contempt for anyone who is not an ironworker (especially carpenters) and dresses in a suit, not unlike the Socials and the Greasers. I still have friends (my family included-- but that could turn into a thread of psychoanalysis) who cannot believe I'd give up 60K minimum per year plus medical, dental, annuities, and a pension; to pursue, first my own business, then trading. I'm catching it from all angles believe me. My inlaws (yet another subject) are getting to the point of downright hostilities! <GGG> The pressure is on but I've always excelled under pressure. The more the better. I digress. I don't no exactly what changed. Age for sure. Witnessing friends go in the hole and either die or get seriously maimed. Physically taking a beating every day on the iron. When you're younger you look at it as a work-out. Next it becomes "I'm too old for this shit..." Getting into bar fights almost everytime a group of us went out. The partying, the lifestyle. On the plus side, ironworkers as a whole are probably the most generous and giving of breeds. They won't back down and will always speak their minds and have a tremendous amount of integrity, however misguided. I still have my book and pay my dues every month. Enough bellyaching. All I know is trading is it for me and having to work is just a means to an end until I can do it fulltime. Until then, don't tell any of my brothers what has become of me... they might associate me with carpenters.
Geez, I always have regreted not paying attention in Woodworking class in school - I have always wanted to build things, e.g., a "Home Entertainment Center" and save myself about 10K. nitro
Set your stops, stick to them. There is no such thing as getting shaken out. Find workable risk FOR YOU, stick to it. If you feel like you're not staying in long enough to make $$$ then you're not doing enough homework on entry levels. Traders want a repeatable process. Profits are 2nd process is first always!!