I suspect that if you find trading "psychologically painful" one or more of the following is missing from your trading: 1. A well tested productive system with clearly defined rules. 2. Absolute faith and trust in that system. 3. Absolute adherence to the system.
That's 'cause you're a position trader, indahook. Try scalping while you're pouring another scotch, chewing on a T-bone and hoping that fag doesn't drop. I hardly drink anything, rarely eat red meat (but I love fish, marron, lobsters, abalone, crayfish - you name it) and I definitely don't smoke. All this isn't just 'cause I'm day trading. It has other reasons, too (like health awareness). I suppose I'm boring But trading sure isn't. Yes, trading is very satisfying. But "relaxing" depends on the timeframe, really. Day Trading can be relaxing. Short term-trading or scalping not. I think day traders have a much longer life expectancy than scalpers... :eek: Have fun brothas, ~The Scientist
I don't know about anyone else, but the only time I find trading stressful or "painful" is when I am not stickily adhering to my system rules. When I do there is no stress, no pain, no boredom, just income. All in al a very pleasnat experience. Egot
IMO, pride is the source of just about all of the psychological pain you place on yourself while trading -- from not getting out of a losing trade to beating yourself up for not taking the most out of a winning trade -- it's all due to ego. There's a fine line between "motivation" and "revenge-seeking", and it all comes down to how one deals with the ups and downs of the profession. And don't get me wrong and think I'm lecturing -- I know exactly where your coming from. But overall its hard to say whether good trading should be comfortable/boring/exciting. For me, it's when my trading becomes most comfortable and satisfying that I need to be most careful, and that a big drawdown just might be around the corner. The dissatisfactions, pains, and sufferings keep me on edge, and those I'll gladly take in place of a bottom line loss anyday. Perhaps I'll never truly ever be satisfied and comfortable while I trade for a living, but if that's the case it wouldn't surprise me.
You must've been in a better market. Have you had a look at the ES? I had a few good trades, but yeah - No general direction, right? ~Scientist
I don't know anybody in this world who finds taking losses a enjoyable and satisfying endeavor..if you don't agree with what I say, try imagining a streak 20 losers..trade after trade after trade, all losers... but you are following your system to perfection, and.of course...you are doing the "right thing"..how you find that emotionally satisfying is beyond me ...either none of you guys have traded on a professional level or simply have no pain sensors... I have been trading systems for a number of years and it has been nothing but a long and painful tortured..although I made a lot of money ,I have no emotional satisfaction in the process whatsoever.. My guess is that you guys is either not accepting the realities of trading or you are not treating trading as a business.. trading is definitely enjoyable and satisfying when you are just gambling and trying to get a adrenaline rush..while losing loads of money... may be that's the satisfaction you guys are talking about..some of you might be dangerous close to becoming a complusive gambler without realizing it.