Strange question for traders at home

Discussion in 'Professional Trading' started by Kastro_316, Apr 13, 2006.

  1. Josh009

    Josh009

    I moved from NY to TX in Feb, and so I just started trading remotely. I knew there would be difficulty adjusting, and I knew I had to be even more disciplined than I was in NY....It would be way too easy to roll out of bed and shuffle into the office in my shorts, but as someone said before, "good luck with that routine." Granted, I'm still adjusting to the new way of doing things, but as it stands now, I have some rules that I don't break under any circumstances.
    I ALWAYS get up early. I need time to wake up and mentally prepare, read the journal, read the news, etc.
    7am (EST) wake up, shower, get dressed (usually jeans or trousers, and a polo shirt). I wouldn't go to the office in boxers, I won't do it just because I'm home.
    I make coffee, get the paper, then i go into the office and get to work.
    I agree that a routine is absolutely necessary. If deviate from my schedule, I feel like I'm not being as disciplined as I should be, and I'm not as prepared to trade as I should be.

    I should add physical exercise to my daily routine. I'm trying to work it in now, but it's tough to change once you get set in a routine....also I'm lazy :D

    I think the biggest problem working at home is isolation. Lack of human contact can lead to anxiety and depression. I try to get out and meet people as much as possible.

    Good Trading!
     
    #11     Apr 13, 2006
  2. i like to get up 10 minutes before open and drink 4 grande starbucks and i usually smoke a half pack of cigs before 10:30 reversal, then i go ride my bike about 10-20 miles at lunch to get back in shape from all that smokin...
     
    #12     Apr 13, 2006
  3. i role out of bed at 8:45 est take a dump and eat some slop. get upstairs by 9:10 est and trade like a manic. i might take a shower every 2 days. i find that if i feel smelly like an animal i trade better.
     
    #13     Apr 13, 2006
  4. RedDuke

    RedDuke

    Wake up call 2:30am (I live in New York).
    In front on PC at 2:45am to review the latest news and get ready for open
    Eurex opens at 3AM
    Stop trading at 6:00-6:30
    Prepare and back up all logs from trading session. Also download morning session to PC to review while commuting to 9-5job
    Shower
    Commute to work (review morning trades)
    9-5
    Commute from work (read latest news finan magazines, books…)
    get home around 7pm
    go to bed at 9pm

    Will be doing it for another 1.5 years by which point I will either trade full time or realize that trading is not for me
     
    #14     Apr 13, 2006
  5. I have worked from home for about 15 years. One thing I learned early was if I got up, showered, got dressed like I was meeting clients, I always seemed to get more accomplished than I did on the days when I rolled outta bed and stayed in my skivies all day.

    My routine for the last year or so has been, get up around 4:30 to 5:00. Read in bed for at least 30 minutes. Eat something light. Go to the gym. Come home, eat some more. Shower, get dressed. Then I go get ready for my day. It works well for me.

    Then about 5-6 pm I am ready for a cocktail and a cigar.
     
    #15     Apr 13, 2006
  6. "LazyBee"

    "LazyBee"

    Get up? I bought a $2000 laptop so I don't have to get up.
     
    #16     Apr 13, 2006
  7. Awesome posts!

    Any Forex traders? How do you set your hours?

    -Kastro
     
    #17     Apr 13, 2006
  8. sprstpd

    sprstpd

    I roll out of bed in the morning and walk 10 feet to my office chair. I turn on my computers and am trading about a minute later.
     
    #18     Apr 13, 2006
  9. bitrend

    bitrend

    There is no strange question, only strange people. :D

    By the ways, I jumped out of the bed and after a few losing trades I when back to sleep.

    Beside kidding, I think it's important to be ready mentally as well as physically. If you're not ready physically then mentally you could be disturbed.

     
    #19     Apr 13, 2006
  10. I usually get about 6 - 7 hours of sleep....I'm up at 8:30 est. Go grab a pop-tart or a bowl of frosted flakes. Watch CNBC until open.
    Then at 9:30 CNBC goes off and I am trading.
     
    #20     Apr 13, 2006