Trading requires a definite learned focus. Today my mind was wandering in the slow chop. The focus will come back in the days ahead. Execution was not perfect today but my focus for the day was more on me and my thoughts/ emotions while in the trades. From that viewpoint I did just fine. Pulled trigger, patient in trades, observer attitude. Enjoyable actually with a bit of boredom. I've never really liked Sim trading. Found it hard to take seriously. Today was the opposite and it felt as real as any other trading. It was just nice to be trading again and at the same time it felt like necessary practice. Exactly what it was designed for. 3 SIM trades - 3, -11 & +49 = +35 Last trade was targeting 15 min channel which is why the exit there. Had thought about targeting important swing low at 56.40 which would have worked. First trade exit not what I should be doing. That's partly me resorting to bad habits and partly my willingness to risk a small amount in an area that looked potentially weak with a larger reward. Going forward that's not acceptable management. the trade hit my target range of 20-25 ticks and showed signs of reversing after that. Good lesson and reminder to know and follow exit rules.
Good review of context today. Meaning I wasn't paying enough attention to it. Once again execution was not perfect but my mind set was fine as far as calm and unemotional. Not enough time today to really dig into it. Still on SIM. -10 ticks
Trading at home this morning, heading in to office soon. 1 trade, a triangle BO. good entry and management but exit not great. Had a higher target but trend not showing strength so target was unrealistic. Hindsight ? I don't think so. I should have recognized and taken profit sooner. I can sense I'm possibly slipping into some dangerous habits of not following exit rules better. Base hits are OK. Been here before so i'll work through it. Exits are never perfect, just part of trading to accept that. gotta run right now +22
Kill em with extreme prejudice - otherwise they'll take root and spread like wild fire - destroying everything in their path Base hits = Trading Nirvana RN
Thanks RN. I really appreciate the support and reinforcement. Took 3 more trades net -3 so + 19 SIM ticks today. I'm getting the feeling I know what I'm doing and what I need to do. Mentally, I think I may be in as good a shape or better than when I began my break. Patient in trades and pulling trigger well. two things that have been a problem in the past. I'll sim tomorrow and likely go live next week. Once again it's time to set the goal of no moving of target. This is even difficult to write 'cause I know the occasional +35-50 ticks trades really help my PnL. For now though i'll stick with target of 25 & develop the discipline and also monitor how/when to increase target. EDIT: Had I stuck with 25 target today results would have been +32. which is what I've found in the past. The system outperforms my actual. These kind of stats do make it easier to follow the method.
Why - there a couple of recognized issues Why not work the kinks out of those first - and completely I get that in your head you are ready..., even eager But does that match the reality of things (actual) And I'm not referring to the PnL (I still don't give a crap about that) But I do care that your actions are consistent..., repeatable..., and disciplined - throughout each trade / session thinkaboutit RN
'thinkaboutit" Dang, not what I want to hear... I can improve discipline while making money.... I've been at this 4+ years, a few more days/week of SIM is not much to really nail this discipline... (waking up in the middle of the night) What's the problem ? I've been through the anxiety and the forcing myself to be disciplined. But now I'm a professional trader. There is no more trying, just do it. It is part of me to be disciplined. No stress involved..... I'm not crazy about more sim but I'm going to earn the right to trade Live. It won't take long because being disciplined is who I am. Thanks, RN. I suspected you were right and now I agree you are right. And I realized something important about were I am. jas