I prefer to trade Crude Oil up till ES/Nasdaq opens, in the time when most won't trade it, it is better controlled. just dinking out smaller but consistent profits. Then trade Nasdaq for 90 minutes and done. Can't do all day any more, way too boring for me. Usually best moves in morning.
I have developed several methods last few years for deeper retracements in markets which I like the "rubberband" to be wide to snap back a bit and to continue trend. But my targets are small but I rather have consistency and not have to trade all day to make fish.
A fine day. Good focus. Had quite a drawdown today. Price was making some sharp reversals and I was taking several full stops. Often if price is not doing what it's supposed to after entry or gives a counter signal I can exit with less than a full stop. Not so much today. Stayed calm and reviewed what I was doing. A couple mistakes but overall nearly everything valid. After that I stayed patient through chop then was able to catch some good chunks of a couple moves. Overall a very good mental day. Went from - 59 ticks to + 9. I would certainly much prefer to avoid this kind of draw down but I think it was largely just one of those kind of days. My ability to stay calm and catch the few good moves available is something I remember not being able to do in the past. Lastly the draw down does concern me as it may indicate the market may be getting choppy/difficult. Patience = profits.
Have you taken stats yet on how many minutes your winning trades takes to get to breakeven plus 1-2 ticks? You be over staying your welcome and why you get in drawdowns.
I don't have hard stats. I've looked before and majority of my winners have MFE almost immediately. So if trade not working quickly then l generally exit at first sign of failure to continue. I'll have to take another look.
Not a great day. My self talk through out the day is one that reminds me to stay calm, patient and to let go of frustration. It has been developed through practice and self awareness and has helped my results significantly. But I also need a self-talk routine that says "WTF, stop doing that !!" Poor trade management today, not following plan. +16 ticks but should have been much more. The rats won this day by a mile. Letting go of my frustration and back again tomorrow ready to follow plan; win ,lose or draw. This stupidity has to end.