I guess in trading, there is a very thin line between professional trading and compulsive trading. And trading opens the door to the possibility of compulsive trading if one is not careful. So it makes completely sense of looking to compulsive gambling, so as to know what are the risks, and have a plan or mental preparation before trading. From my observations, I think 'trade the trader' plan was good, but miss an important thing : one can not implement it alone. There are too many things to monitor ( psychological state, physiology, etc...) too many details that can just get missed.
also, to be honest, I am finding trading actually boring, hence my need to up the size to get some thrill and adrenaline. Yep I have said it : I love the thrill of winning big. If I go and play, I want to win big. ... I think someone is going to get into space when reading that... This is psychology/spirituality , so I might as well just say it like I feel it. If we have to work on it, then fine. Just now this is how I see things: I worked my ass off in trading to trade proper sizes and win big. Otherwise I would have never bothered. Add to that, that when reviewing, the market reading is good, so one can understand my 'impatience', hence the tendency for higher risks.
Also, the other problem is the initial challenge of the game , understanding what trading is all about, has kind of been removed. I am not saying there is nothing more to learn in trading, but seriously my only limit is really the position sizing. I also feel really bored and sick just looking at a trading book. Lately, I was thinking of reading some 'difficult' trading book. The only difficulty I found was sitting in front of the screen, going through each page and making a summary. I managed so far only chapter1, but even chapter1 I found it super boring, a re-hash of what is out there. Also, I really do not feel bothering ( preparing well...) if I am trading for small. That's all.
The thing that really got me in trading, the intellectual challenge, is done. Now, the only thing that can motivate me is the winnings and I mean big winnings. ... I sense I am going to have some serious conversations...
So I took some break to have a better view of the city here. Very impressed by the Ladies ( very good dress sense, original hairstyles from the older blonde Ladies, beautiful shoes, ...). Well they are perfectly groomed. I wish I had enough courage to talk to one Lady with beautiful make up, beautifully original haircut, beautiful shoes . Sure she tryed some little sentences. never mind, we could have exchanged some good info. My tiredness is starting to get better. For some reasons, I could not help slacking. Now, I am looking forward to restart the 'plan the trader' program - including the heavy regime of physical exercises, the diet, the meditation... The extra reading in trading... And apparently there is more to be included. And I am first thankful and grateful to have a wonderful coach, who cares enough about me to want me to be the very best I can be. I am really glad he showed me the way in difficult situations, and I am really glad he choses who he works with, and only bother with people who are good people. . Just now, reading about problem gambling, gambling addiction, and gambling urges. No matter what it is all about making sure that one does not fall into the potential traps. Prevention is important.
http://www.zmescience.com/science/science-gambling-mind-04254/ Dwelling inside the gamblerâs mind ==> . not a summary, more my own understanding of the article ==> in the context of trading ... the human brain and our emotions and the decisions made during the gambling process... (such as the fact of continuing trading after a win!) - One can not predict which play ( or trade) will be a winner. - So before putting a trade, there is hope that the trade will be a winner. - predict future rewards ==> brain get filled with dopamine. - win comes ==> rush of pleasure : dopamine present ==> serotonin added . So cocktail in the brain of dopamine and serotonin. - dopamine can't determine certain outcome ==> instead of surrendering become obsessed. neurons continue to figure a pattern ( wich trade will be winner). The person becomes transfixed and continues to play! Yup. Chemicals When one wins, the brain is full of dopamine And serotonin. add a mix of alcohol, and the gambler is sure to keep gambling. Alcohol creates confidence and a false sense of security about future wins. Addiction depending on brain susceptibility to dopamine. gamblers who experience massive rushes of pleasure from winning will become blind by the fact they are losing money while searching for the next win. Psychological Trickery Casino create an environment ( free drinks and food, lighting, clincking sounds) to create an atmosphere of winning ( ==> increase dopamine + serotonin) ==> people keep gambling till lose all. Cheating mostly in films. Reality different.
Now, I am starting to realize why it is best to win for a size that is small enough not to raise the brain's serotonin level. Second why it is important to reduce the brain's dopamine levels before placing a trade.
Reading these neurological things nearly makes one want to be a casino owner.lol. They are specialists in knowing how to make people want to lose their money.
http://casac.org/gambling/scienceofgambling/ The neuroscience of gambling No interpretation here. Just summary Basically : Brain has neurons whose job is to predict rewards. When gambling, and an unexpected win happens, the neurons fires with ecstatic enthusiams. In gambling, the neurons struggle to find the winning sequence pattern , so instead of surrendering, neurons gets the gambler to keep gambling. .............. The real problem really is that one can not predict the winning sequence. But the brain neurons want to find the pattern of winning sequences.
This study is making me understand why it is important to keep the position sizing relatively small. This allows to diminish the amount of serotonin release. Now obviously, the portfolio approach really reduces the dopamine from the start. Better to work in harmony with my neurology. The nice thing is I have found out that I do not need a visa for the Holy Land. Also, the flights are quiet cheap. So finally, I will be visiting . I was going to avoid this trip by going straight to Asia, however it looks like everything is aligning for the Holy Land start of october. .