mistake 1: not plan the trade(which timeframe, under what condtion to enter,and exit) mistake 2: not execute the plan(when the condition occurs,freeze or shy away or take execuse to go to batheroom or chat or do others to avoid pressure and responsibilty) mistake 3: executed the plan incorrectly (too eager to jump in,not wait for the right condition, exit too early, hold on when things are not right; did not practice order pre-put, enter wrong size/price; forget about the trade and goof around, let it run wild, let a winner become a loser) trading plan is hard to develop. particularly when the market is running, everything is moving. so before the market opens, the plan should be already there. I tried thinkorswim playback/backtesting to find out why I freeze on market opportunities, I found the market's chart is red/greenflip around quickly, and quote is jumping around, I could not think, all make me feel at loss, do not know what to do. this tells me: a plan must be before the market opens. last week, I bought lots of WFC 43 calls between 0.23~0.3. but sold too early at 0.8~1.0. my plan is to sell when WFC hits 44.5~44.8 (measured move). when look back, I found I was looking at the quote too near, those little down ticks tricked me out for early bailout. .news unrelated to the trade .opinions unrelated to the trade .negative thoughts of "omg, it may end here, better take smart action to book profit",lost confidence of the orginal idea .unrelated emotions of "see, I made three fold gain on WFC", but forget about " 10 fold gain there", tryto show people howsmart I am, STUPID ...all those things make my plan go astray