Trader P/L 2013

well, it's not exactly real money... but if I do my part properly, it might be in the end

I've turned a few TST combines in the past with mixed results. When I'm focused, attentive and disciplined, results are good as one would expect. But invariably I lapsed focus & discipline inside the "sim" programs while directing most attention towards real-money efforts alongside.

For me personally, the toughest part about TST combines is maintaining discipline while trading simulated dollars. It's just too easy to neglect that while trading live personal accounts at the same time. Sooner or later I find myself taking "trades" in sim that I never would do with real money, or trading away big realized gains in sim that again I would never do with real money.

So this time around I decided to make myself accountable all the way thru. The past two days and next eight to follow (or more if required) I am trading this round live, real-time in front of many other traders. Every trade taken is justified to the method approach. Just like we would trade real cash money... and exactly the way we need to treat this process from trial sim to (potentially) real cash.

**

First two days went as expected. Keeping leverage low, trading ES and CL, stopping when profitable enough, managing strict risk control.

So far, so good. I'm going to try real hard to run the proverbial table: 100% profitable days, 100% profitable in ES and CL each day. That will be the biggest challenge of all, and much of that is outside my control. Otherwise steady as she goes and looking forward to the next eight sessions similar to these past two

 

06/14/13

$94.50

 

ok, i believe you have always been sincere in your posts.."but"

trader PnL since its inception many years ago was always geared to the individual trader "Real PnL Blotter". even though yours is an attempt to get real money..the fact remains it is not real money.

my fear is the thread can go with your post or posts to infect others to post paper accounts. ET has gone so down hill recently..having posters of quality is a great thing to see..but i would prefer you post elsewhere so as not to degrade the original intent of the thread (and as 2013 thread starter i must insist).

compared to the countless nonsense threads..your PnL --posts from this exercise i would think would be a great addition to ET..just not here.

 

+68 gross

I really didn't trade well today and should have made more than this. Regardless, I'm happy to have a positive day after a couple of bad days.

austinp, nice post, but I do agree with sellindexvol66. If you would like to post the results of your virtual account it should be done in a different thread. It would be a great addition to ET. This thread is for posting of blotters in live accounts.

Since we are talking about posters - Is there anyone that can make a commitment and post in this thread CONSISTENTLY? Aside from me (and I know my P/L isn't all that exciting), we do have a few traders that post weekly or monthly on a regular basis. That is great as it may better fit their trading style. But we have way too many hit and run posters that show up for one post or a few days and then are never heard from again.

I post here because it gives me a sense of accountability that makes me a better trader. Trading by myself at home really has no accountabililty to my actions. Yes, I have my family and friends, but nobody understands trading. By posting here, I feel I have to be disciplined. It helps force me to stay within my risk parameters as I know I am going to show my results publicly every single day. I don't slap on an extra 1000 shares to make up some losses. I don't wipe out weeks of gains with one silly trade. I just grind away, posting ALL of my days, good and crappy. Also, posting here helps motivate me. It helps drive me to succeed because I want everyone to see that I could do it and that it can be done.

In addition to the benefits to me, I hope that my posting also adds some value to ET. For aspiring traders like me, I think it is good to see how a trader handles drawdowns, how winning and losing streaks happen, and how risk management really comes into play. I'm sure some people find no value in what I do here, but I do hope that my contributions are appreciated by some.

To conclude my blabbing, if you are going to post here - make a commitment, post a blotter, and do it with a live account.

 

06/05/13
$94.50

***

Notes:

1. The date listed in my first post has a typo. I meant to type “06/04/13”. It was late and I was tired when I made the post, and I didn’t notice it until the next day (and of course, it was too late to edit it).
   
2. The amount listed in the blotter is net of all commissions and exchange fees.
   
3. I trade the financial e-mini futures (ES, NQ or YM).
   
4. On days when I do not trade I will list the day along with a comment of “No trades” to keep journal consistency. Otherwise I will post my results after the trading session whenever I have made any trades for that day.
   
5. Took the effort to show more detail with this trade blotter, normally I’ll just post a quick snapshot of the P/L.
   [/list=1]

 

-86 gross

I was quickly ripped to shreds today. I hit my max loss for the day, so I liquidated. I will be taking tomorrow off from trading to lick my wounds. I will clear my mind this weekend, do lots of research, and be ready to go on Monday.

 

06/06/13
$14.50

 

Sorry I didn't get the past few days out... To rectify this I have included my entire week here.

Unfortunately I had a bit of a bad week with regards to my execution and discipline. I missed a few good trades and got out of others way too early!

Anyway I finished up £588 in profit.

Do any of you guys have any suggestions on how I can work on holding my winners?

 

06/07/13
No Trades

 

-94 gross

I was quickly stopped out for a max loss again. I'm done for the day. I guess I have some more free time.