Hello smallfil, I never met Baron before. I thought @Overnight was connected to the ET owner because he always talking crazy and threating to ban members for some reason. lol, I can definitely see why Overnight was suspended. He always getting mad at other members if they do not agree with him with some trading stuff. ET is a VERY good place to talk about trading and be open about trading. There is no right or wrong, just respect others view point.
In a way, stock trading is a mugs game. It's a mugs game because it looks easy but it isn't. It's a mugs game because the media con everyone about; "Look at this winner, look at that winner, jesus look at this stock right now flying to the moon with a 100% gain in one week". All hindsight smoke and mirror sensational reporting which pulls in the crowd. In a bull market clowns in a circus will make money, monkeys flinging darts will make money. When the market is not in a bull phase which is the majority of the time, something will run then the suddenly, unexpectedly, the rug pull, over and over you'll see this. So in a bull market which it's difficult to determine with certainty ahead of time, long term trading is what is required along with its nerve wracking pullbacks, when it's not a bull market, short term trading is required with its nerve wracking 'timing it right' logistics. Stock trading is full of distractions, rabbit holes, noise, false breakouts, volatility. It attracts the gambling mentality of many who are convinced they can beat the market. I'm guilty of that! Succesful stock trading requires focus, keep out the distractions, be extremely careful, cautious, systematic. As eluded to, in a roaring bull market everyone is a genuis.
Here are few quick thoughts that pop into my mind why stock trading is so elusive: Trading needs to be treated as a business, otherwise it’s just giving money away (or it becomes very expensive hobby). One must take it very seriously and not with “fuck it” attitude. People need to trade the market, and NOT their P/L or emotions. It’s vital to have a journal, not just log the trades, but really examine them, and answer these three questions: A) How can I lose less money from my losers B) How can I make more money from my winners C) How can I get more trade ideas. If you’re not working on your edge, someone else is, and you’re paying them. Trading is a marathon, you can’t build up an account on one trade. The most important thing you must manage is the size and frequency of your losses relative to your total risk capital.
Many traders are gambling leveraged to the teeth & in flight or fight mode as if their life depends on the trade they are in - letting losers run & cutting winners. Long term winning traders are the casino, patiently letting the law of large numbers make their edge prevail over time. Their focus is mainly on protecting the down side. Noobs focus only on the upside - a big pitfall. https://www.youtube.com/clip/UgkxXFUHqmciHh_YsiEmFtnpsCnTIKYGLC-9
Good Morning comagnum, Every time, Every time, and I mean every time and 100 more every time......I used leveraged to refuse to lose, I LOSS big money. What I did not know was, I was losing time as well. Every Single Time! No-one thinks about the cost of opportunity after blowing up the account starting over again. There is power in playing the long term game.