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."