I find that over-trading has a certain feeling to it, and I don't like it. Sometimes it takes me a bit to notice it, but once I do, it's a clear sign that I'll do better for the day if I pull back. John
Imo to avoid problem of overtrading we have to set profit goals and also let loss limits. When you have a range where your performance can fluctuate you will never overtrade. This approach worked well for me so you can give it a try too.
%% MOnthly candles charts., it helps stop overtrading. READ a lot, it may or may not help with overtrading. Look for complex patterns. WMT cashier , she asked ''you like those stinking things ??'' She referred to smoked sardines pattern. I said yes. Look for patterns in jokes also, it may or may not help overtrading. LBR joked about $177+priced sardines/bottom line punchline= husband brought those sardines home. ''NEVER bring those sardines home the wife said''
Having a trading plan that defines your risk tolerance and profit goals and sticking to it is an easy way to avoid over-trading. Only if you are not a pig-headed greedy who would ignore all the losses in the hope to make desired profit. No matter if you hit the loss first or the profit, stop trading after that.
%% Good points; some times life is not that simple, even though looks like you have a wise battle tested profit plan. Some times life hands you an over-trading[to big to handle] situation/ so have to make the most\best of it. Pear tree , counted in 50# pound bucket has half a ton of pears[20x50 pounds], so eat all you want + give away all you want. Some to big to handle problems are good/ to have big problems are good to have. That's one reason US has been blessed with real cheap food sometimes; +few nations have enough to export food
In this market, if you make one good trade, walk away for the day. If not, you will give it all back.