tuesday wasn't a very good day for me. in fact i had my biggest loss. and you know what I did, i kept procrastinating all day from opening my emailed trading statement. I didn't want to look at what I already knew which was a bad day. But I tell myself, this is just a game for me. Im going to win this game, but if I do lose, so WHAT! Mama Vivian
A Few points : As I'm sure you know discipline is key. It takes a long time to master,and to keep your composure when things go wrong. Am I correct in saying that your losing trades are when you short? If so why not go long or sit out? The other thing I noticed is the size of your winners is much smaller than that of your losers. When this is the case your hit rate has to be astronomical for success. Curious on your 1st losing day that I saw ,you had reduced your size. Did you not have as much confidence in that trade? If so ,just sit out. I have found it takes a huge amount of discipline to sit out of big winning days which are not the type of day for my entry. I just say it wasn't my type of day. There is enough leverage in the futures mkt that I can pick days which satisfy my entry criteria and still make a decent return. 4 or 5 3-4 point trades a month is satisfying for me. Also I no longer discuss my trading with anyone. No subconscious need to meet anyones goals...,only my own. Have been enjoying your journal. You have done well, choose to ignore this post if you like, just wanted to give my thoughts.
today was a winner. so i got a little back from yesterday. I wasn't satisfied that I followed my system EXACTLY. I will work on that each day.
When do you NOT stay with your system... in the middle of a trade???? Trading stocks myself but plan on "movin' on up" to e-mini's before too long!! Best of luck to you... this is my favorite thread so far!!!
im trying to be a mechicanical trader. im trying to do exactly what the computer screen says. sometimes in a profitable situation, i get out early. today was a small profit and did what i was suppose to.
Viv, Great journal. I know you've mentioned your allegiance to trading mechanical (I trade mechanical as well), so I was curious as to your expectations on a day to day basis for P/L. A number of times you've had $500+ days and said they were small gains. On a $30K acct, these are solid returns, IMO. What has your experience given you as realistic profit expectations? Thanks, and keep up the good work!
i would like to keep my profits at about $2,000 on my winning days and my losses under $1,000. thats my goal. not always achievable but atleast something to shoot for.