Will do ND, thanks. Yeah, the talking out price action I do at times and it definitely helps. So, back to doing that more. It's still amazing to me how some days I can trade with perfect patience and focus and other days completely disregard context or I trade Hope. The market has a way of sucking one in.
MATURATION the emergence of personal and behavioral characteristics through growth processes =========== J has all he needs - he just needs to grow it / allow it to become his default way He's still trying to control - instead of allowing it to control him RN
J -- IMO the pivot of your improvements was where you said you were paying less attention to the money. There were a lot of moving parts to your 2 week experience... and it was really cool the way you set that up RN... liked your homework; to me not thinking about the money was one result. Listening to you talk so far this week J, it's always coming back to the money and points each day. I know it sounds dumb, but consider setting it up that you can't see the points made or lost during the day -- and for sure make that you can't see it EOD. Wait for the weekend. For the longest time I took the P&L off during the day, but we all can kept score close enough in our head for the day. When I stopped looking EOD, it took about 2 days for me to lose track; and all at once all kinds of mental energy and emotions lifted. I came to realize I had nothing left to do but trade the plan. It was even relaxing and i could be a craftsman with it. For me that was the key to switching between the 2 people in you that Handle talks about; to being the craftsman applying the plan as opposed to the business owner who makes the plan and is responsible for the profits. I did the above exercise in part finally because one of the good guys and experienced traders said that he only checked his P&L quarterly. Otherwise his emotions interfered with his trading and he implied he had a cycle like you describe for yourself. Only quarterly seems a little much, but I have come to understand what he is saying. You might give a week a try. I've heard people say to stick something on their screen physically... a post it note. My platform allows me to make copies of my windows, and the copies don't have the P&L on them. So when I open my platform in the morning the first window has the P&L; I can avoid looking at it until I minimize that window and then use my copies to trade from... so i have no chance of seeing it the rest of the day. Works for me. Do whatever it takes. A second exercise... Something in the way you describe your "follow-through" trade management itches. Linda Raschke in her video "understanding trade management" at the very start she says if you run a hundred trades with random entries but use "by plan" trade management you have positive expectancy. If you run a hundred trades with "by plan" entries but use random exits (trade management) the system implodes. Hey! We can test that for our trade management. So you might as an exercise over the weekend -- it should take about an hour or even less to see if the idea works -- use your back testing replay and go to a series of random points in the market. At each random place (entry) know you will initiate a long or short as your judgement best says and then apply your trade management and see what it takes to make those random entries profitable. I thought I knew what my trade management was before I did that the first time. My trade management was much clearer afterwards. If your trade management gives you positive expectancy even with random entries... what would that do for your confidence? Or for your willingness to follow your trade management plan? Or for being relaxed and focused after a planned entry? Homework...
I often see where traders simple trade too long, trade the mornings, then go spend three hours cutting grass or grocery shopping, get your mind away from the job, then come back for last two hours if you want. You got some exercise, let your eyes and mind relax. After a number of years, you will find the best is the mornings, get very good at the mornings then apply size, walk away. I took three trades, each for five points per contract, done. I scalp and don't let profits run cause most of my trades happen in chop. And I have no ego when I trade, don't care if market continues on, I followed the Trading Plan, I am not here to think, I an here to execute. I am just a Cog. And now this cog going to Starbucks. Enjoy weekend all.
Thanks traders, I really appreciate every comment. I'll try to respond more this weekend. My eyes are beat. Still trying to get my 10k hours of screen time, Handle "The show me state" OK that one hurt a little. Kick a poor guy when he's down . But I can't disagree. You're the best RN ,thanks. ========== One thing that does help me is to say out loud "Focus". Seems to work. Today was pretty near perfect execution. One trade I should have given more time but everything else solid, even the loses. Had uncomfortable entries, wanted to exit early before target but held, wanted to raise targets several times but I did not, avoided chop trading. Went jogging yesterday. Exercise definitely helps my focus and state of mind. Came in today determined and focused. I 've got a couple ideas as to why I have a hard time not being able to bring that every day. Going to think it over this weekend. Took several short breaks today too. I'm very proud of how I traded today. Focused and not moving targets. Certainly makes the weekend more enjoyable ! +52 ticks in CL today Traded at home so only posting todays PnL. Will add the others next week. Overall a loss in NQ and lots of commish. PS. Focus seems to be the word of the day
Only time I can reach you.., it seems.., IS when you're down..., or I'm ridding your butt hard Rest (most) of the time (while trading) you're thinking (trying to out think the mkt / your plan) Trading is about doing..., not thinking Off hours..., think all you desire ================= Besides - least you know I care..., and it matters Happy Weekend All RN
I've been thinking about this. If there's an internal issue it's my pushing to make more ticks each week rather than coming in and focusing on trading the plan regardless of results. Is there some other issue or belief causing a problem ? At this point I don't think so. And I do and have often questioned my beliefs and how they impact my trading. I agree with RN. I believe I have everything I need right now. (That's something I don't think I would have said last year) What I'm coming up with is the physical side to trading is part of the issue. Being rested at start of day, getting enough exercising so I have proper energy, taking breaks so I avoid boredom trades and maintain focus. Also there's the emotional side of just coming in each day with a positive attitude and a smile. If I'm a worker just trading the plan then I need to be a rested and happy employee to do my job properly. Trading is not just a job; it's a lifestyle; IMO. Wondering if others agree with this last statement.
Hooti, That's a great post. Thank you. Love the LBR clip. I had a similar experience when I finally really understood my set ups & triggers. My trading improved quite a bit after that. I'll try that exercise. Not tracking the PnL is interesting. Right now I generally don't look at it till EOD , or at most once during day. Although as you said I've got a rough idea how I'm doing. But completely ignoring actual numbers till end of week. Hmm, I think i'll try that. Interesting. Just need to remember to not accidently or out of habit look. ============= Sounds like your trading has been going well. Congrats to you ! I know you've worked extremely hard for it. I'm very happy for your success !! jas