Working a 9-5 seems to be when I trade my best. My last 2 big funder firm payouts were when I had a job. It's only been a week but I feel a very very pubescent increase in my trading ability and confidence again. At 2 MNQs....even if I took a 200 point hit, I have not busted. At a 100 point stop, I can mentally (kinda) "let it go" and look towards the next trade set-up in 24 hours.... Trading 2 TopStep $50K combines right now. 1 week does not a trend make...but after having hit such a low point in my life where I was donating blood plasma for 90% of my immediate living expenses and money from suing my former employers in small claims court - I think this tells you the extent of some of my recent suffering.....actually my recent life lessons. Not to mention, winning an eviction lawsuit and suing my landlord for harassment. I think this might have been the serious wake-up call I needed to realize my true potential as a trader. The job I have right now is only stable for the time-being since it is in the healthcare industry. I have to be risk-smart this time or I might not get anymore good opportunities. Time will tell, I guess
Today, my having a 9-5 saved me from some big losing. Being able to think calmly and objectively because I (knock on wood) have some financial stability for the very immediate timeframe. Before...not having a job and in overall bad personal state of mind, I "HAD" to make money and that forced me to force trades -- with the inevitable result of blowing out accounts....which in turn made me self-medicate which in turn made everything else a slow-motion car wreck with delusions that finding the perfect trading strategy could save me ---- thankfully, I've come to realize that the Occams Razor strategy is the best so that I can maintain my emotional balance. Trading with really small position size - on a higher time frame - with a 100 point stop ---- enables me to think in terms of how Phil Ivey would think: "...if I fold, I'll lose my 100 point ante....this is a very high stakes poker game" ---- I should be taking an average of 3-4 200point+ winning trades per month --- this can literally double my account size ever month with very little risk - 1 MNQ for every $1K in equity. Time will tell. But the other big difference is that I am having fun at my 9-5. That might convince me to live a comfortable life until I can save up some serious 6-figure account deposit money.
It's not about finding the perfect minimally risk-infused trading strategy. The key is to find a trading strategy with a distinct edge --- and work on your psychology to somehow adjust your persona to be able to execute like a robot and profit like a casino. It's really about belieiving in yourself and not "deviating."
After reading Topstep, it seems the entire thing is simulated and it is entirely you vs them but they control the sim? As soon as they move from that "express sim" to "live", you get $0 drawdown and will be back to square1 soon