[waveslider]

I used to be 100% discretionary and adamant about it. That was before I began programming systems that work. I love charts/trading, always will. But in my experience, going with at least partial automation made my life a hell of a lot easier, less stressful.

A system I run on e-minis is completing its 3rd profitable trade of the day. 3 for 3 on the day. It excelled in the past months due to volatility. Not to say it doesn't have draw-downs, every system does, and so do discretionary traders.

It's to each his/her own as far as this topic goes. I was able to clean up the house and have a relaxing morning because the computer was programmed to look for what I would have looked for, and do what I would have done.

Computerized trading does work. Whenever the market has great volatility, someone will get hammered, and the media will get a hold of it. But you won't hear much from the systems traders who are successful, they have no reason to make themselves known.

It's easy to feel too stressed in your trading, like I was. If you are reading this and that's what you feel, decide whether it's worth it. Trading can drive you crazy, its such a head game. If you can quantify your edge and act with confidence based on statistics, its a little less crazy.