Jump to content

Welcome to the new Traders Laboratory! Please bear with us as we finish the migration over the next few days. If you find any issues, want to leave feedback, get in touch with us, or offer suggestions please post to the Support forum here.

  • Welcome Guests

    Welcome. You are currently viewing the forum as a guest which does not give you access to all the great features at Traders Laboratory such as interacting with members, access to all forums, downloading attachments, and eligibility to win free giveaways. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free. Create a FREE Traders Laboratory account here.

walterw

A Clear Mind

Recommended Posts

I want to start this thread making a comment about my lately experience with complicating or simplifing things... I havent been able to introduce myself.. never took into acct there is a section to introduce yourself... made several posts etc and never did... but I am trading since 11 years now... made money... lost money... had 0 equilibrium... study study study.... started in Buenos Aires at floor, went to USA with electronic futures bla bla bla.... now the thing is, I made money during this years when I had things simple.... lost money when made things complicated.... our mind wants to cheat us telling us that if we have a more "sofisticated" aproach we will have an "edge".... well thats not true... the real edge a trader can have is "A Clear Mind" and that was what atracted me to this forum... now its true the fact that you cant go to the other extreme where you want to master the markets without any wisdom...you want to make things so simple that you get beaten by any newbie out there.... so there is some science to trading together with simplicity... The best thing I did till now has been to know something basic of almost every aproach existant out there... and try to find what is the common factor they all have.... once I detected that common factor I decided to study only that common factor from My perspective and adapt it to my style.... I like very short lived trades... no sin... makes me a nice living... its what I am comfortable with.... THE TEMPTATION is to feel with lack of satisfaction and starting again on the journey of complicating things... here is where you start losing your edge on having a clear mind.... so : be happy with your weekly performance, dont beat yourself I need more... enjoy the simplicity of what works for you... and thats it... enjoy life... cheers Walter.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hola Walter,

 

I think we all go there from time to time feeling invincible and start to look for new stuff to add in what is already successful. Even if the new method is successful, integrating it into your own arsenal takes time because your mind has to adjust to 2 methods now instead of one. If the mind is not ready, it'll get confused and start seeing wrong signals with wrong expectations and outcomes. Dangerous. It's like finding the first method again.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Hola Walter,

 

I think we all go there from time to time feeling invincible and start to look for new stuff to add in what is already successful. Even if the new method is successful, integrating it into your own arsenal takes time because your mind has to adjust to 2 methods now instead of one. If the mind is not ready, it'll get confused and start seeing wrong signals with wrong expectations and outcomes. Dangerous. It's like finding the first method again.

 

That is extremely true and I had to learn the hard way. Although applying a new simple tool or methodology can seam easy, I found out that this is not. It affected the way I process information, often coming into conflict with my core trading methodology. This lead me to take trades that I would usually pass on or step aside when I would usually place a trade. In the end, I constantly go back to my own simple method. Very good point Torero and excellent thread Walter.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Walter - this is a great thread, esp for those new to trading. I think most, if not all, traders go thru about the same 'learning process' if you will...

  • Get interested in trading, mainly b/c of the $$$$$
  • Start simple with something
  • That may or may not work, but you begin to think that if you just have one more indicator or one more setting, that could push you over the edge to profitability
  • You buy overpriced stuff, search the internet top down looking for the grail and continue to think the big money is just around the corner if you only had that one indicator
  • Then, by this time, either: 1) you give up on trading b/c 'everyone is out to get your money' or 2) you really start the learning process
  • Then it's simply a matter of developing your business plan and then working that plan with consistency

As I have shared a few times on this forum, and even posted a chart setup here: http://www.traderslaboratory.com/forums/f2/chart-set-up-1251.html that shows how simple a chart really can be. I have to say, I think some of the chart setups that were posted are very complex and for me, it is way too much in order to be nimble on my trades. Point being, that once the trader reaches the point of realizing there is no actual grail, it's a matter of time before the approach is finetuned and you start to believe in yourself and your trading plan.

 

As simple as it sounds, I think the difference between being profitable and not is proving to yourself that your trading methodology actually works. We all go into trading wanting to believe a strategy works, but until you actually prove it to yourself, you will always remain skeptical and continue looking for the next best thing.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ahhh.. someone here finally brought it out into the open. Kudos to you BrownsFan!

 

It is indeed true that until you have true confidence that your method has a tradeable edge, you will continue to search and adjust until you eventually have to scrap it all and go back to where you started.

 

Now I would say that over time, most traders have heard that already and went "yeah, we know that and agree" but then they cast it off and forget about it. At the risk of sounding dogmatic here, I am telling you it will keep showing up and smacking you in the face at the worst times until you accept it as fact and focus on it until you truly have a firm confidence in the method you trade. Without that, you are irretrievably lost.

 

There comes a time when you simply must call a halt to the searching, changing, tweaking and fine tuning and simply decide to become expert at your method and only tweak it once in awhile to adapt to real character changes in the market.

 

I like this thread and I must say I continue to really enjoy this forum. Keep up the wonderful postings.

 

Happy Trading ;)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

For a clear mind...just wanted to share something I started up again.

 

My life had been consumed with trading for the past year or so, and I've gotten to where things seemed simple, but weren't as simple as they had been 6 months ago. not terribly more complex...just not as easy on the eyes. Late last week I had a bit of frustration with my trading start to creep into the ol' psyche and was asked a question by both MrPaul and my girl. "How much time do you spend with the markets in your head?"

 

I had never really thought about it. Music is what my life is about. I used to be a recording engineer in Boston and in Nashville, wrote songs, played drums for big wig jazz names here and there and I thought...what was I doing when I had my 2 best weeks this year? I was playing drums every morning!!

 

This past weekend I didn't pull up a chart, didn't read a book, didn't do anything with the markets. I spent all the time outside, tending to my seedlings for the garden and making music again.

 

Having a clear mind can be accomplished easily by having other things in your mind besides trading. I'm looking forward to trading today, as I know it's going to be great going into it with a mind filled with music instead of a mind filled with more market stuff that will start to confuse the very system I worked hard to design.

 

Just my thoughts :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Work-life balance is definitely very important. They place great importance on it in economically successful European countries like Germany, France and Switzerland. In the US and UK we have the attitude that the more hours we work the better which is not true. A French worker produces more in a 6 hour day than a British worker produces in 9. I try to keep my working day less that 7 hours and enjoy life when I'm not working.

 

It's also important to take holidays. In Europe there's a legal minimum of one month paid holiday a year but many Europeans get 2 months. While traders don't have the luxury of paid holidays I think it's important to take 2 or 3 holidays a year to see the world and refresh your mind. I love traveling. It's one of the things that motivates me to make money.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Good points Tin. Very important to be able to step away from your business and have a life outside of trading. I actually have found that once you have a methodology in place that you consistently use, you 'study' less and less as you have convinced yourself that what you are doing works.

 

When you are desigining your business plan, that is where hours and hours can be eaten up outside of actually trading.

 

It's a big relief to be able to wake up and realize that the plan is in place, you just need to follow it. The only problem I had was figuring out what to do with all the extra free time! Since graphic design and website design has always been an interest of mine, I am going to start taking courses at the local community college in these areas. After that, might be something with cooking.

 

It's amazing what a proper trading plan and business plan can do for you and your family. It's simply a matter of getting to that point. (I know, easier said than done). For those that are serious about trading though, keep in mind that there is light at the end of the tunnel. It's just that most people will never actually get to the light.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

very nice inputs ¡¡ think we all go thru some similar process untill estability comes in... and most of us suffer the temptation of over analisis of our methods or "perfectioning" of them.... as I stated on before simplicity by itself its an "edge"... and that simplicity ironicaly must contain a sound elaborated argument to beat our oponent... on the other side you may have the correct argument with the correct dosis of simplicity BUT you dont have enough faith on it to believe it... or did not develop enough confidence on it.... what I noticed that this lack of confidence comes from the inability to "halt" the searching as ezzudit mentions and get focused just on your stuff once for ever... I believe that succesfull trading comes (after having a defenitive method) together with some boring same thing (same method) day after day after day...... like it or not this new super things we find and get so enthusiastic many times can hurt us as we get unrailed from our estable boring and normalized succesfull aproach... mmmmm nobody likes to promote the lack of research, we humans are eternal researchers, we love to find new things.... the big question should be : is your bussiness about research or about making stable dollars every day ? lets keep this discussion alive, its very constructive to me hear your experiences cheers Walter.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just wanted to post a little followup. The other day my head was extremely clouded. Many folks knew about it here and many many thanks to all of you who love to help, I really appreciate it :)

 

I've been drumming/programming music every morning lately, and while my trading hasn't drastically improved (it's slowly improving every day) my mind has seen some great advances. Also...I re-wrote my trading plan and have it sitting next to me on paper (not just saved on my computer) so I always see it and know without hesitation if my setups are being met. This has helped the clarity in my trading the most tremendously.

 

So...taking time to not think about trading has been the best thing to help my trading. Kinda weird...but it's awesome! haha

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Be careful who you blame.   I can tell you one thing for sure.   Effective traders don’t blame others when things start to go wrong.   You can hang onto your tendency to play the victim, or the martyr… but if you want to achieve in trading, you have to be prepared to take responsibility.   People assign reasons to outcomes, whether based on internal or external factors.   When traders face losses, it's common for them to blame bad luck, poor advice, or other external factors, rather than reflecting on their own personal attributes like arrogance, fear, or greed.   This is a challenging lesson to grasp in your trading journey, but one that holds immense value.   This is called attribution theory. Taking responsibility for your actions is the key to improving your trading skills. Pause and ask yourself - What role did I play in my financial decisions?   After all, you were the one who listened to that source, and decided to act on that trade based on the rumour. Attributing results solely to external circumstances is what is known as having an ‘external locus of control’.   It's a concept coined by psychologist Julian Rotter in 1954. A trader with an external locus of control might say, "I made a profit because the markets are currently favourable."   Instead, strive to develop an "internal locus of control" and take ownership of your actions.   Assume that all trading results are within your realm of responsibility and actively seek ways to improve your own behaviour.   This is the fastest route to enhancing your trading abilities. A trader with an internal locus of control might proudly state, "My equity curve is rising because I am a disciplined trader who faithfully follows my trading plan." Author: Louise Bedford Source: https://www.tradinggame.com.au/
    • SELF IMPROVEMENT.   The whole self-help industry began when Dale Carnegie published How to Win Friends and Influence People in 1936. Then came other classics like Think And Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins toward the end of the century.   Today, teaching people how to improve themselves is a business. A pure ruthless business where some people sell utter bullshit.   There are broke Instagrammers and YouTubers with literally no solid background teaching men how to be attractive to women, how to begin a start-up, how to become successful — most of these guys speaking nothing more than hollow motivational words and cliche stuff. They waste your time. Some of these people who present themselves as hugely successful also give talks and write books.   There are so many books on financial advice, self-improvement, love, etc and some people actually try to read them. They are a waste of time, mostly.   When you start reading a dozen books on finance you realize that they all say the same stuff.   You are not going to live forever in the learning phase. Don't procrastinate by reading bull-shit or the same good knowledge in 10 books. What we ought to do is choose wisely.   Yes. A good book can change your life, given you do what it asks you to do.   All the books I have named up to now are worthy of reading. Tim Ferriss, Simon Sinek, Robert Greene — these guys are worthy of reading. These guys teach what others don't. Their books are unique and actually, come from relevant and successful people.   When Richard Branson writes a book about entrepreneurship, go read it. Every line in that book is said by one of the greatest entrepreneurs of our time.   When a Chinese millionaire( he claims to be) Youtuber who releases a video titled “Why reading books keeps you broke” and a year later another one “My recommendation of books for grand success” you should be wise to tell him to jump from Victoria Falls.   These self-improvement gurus sell you delusions.   They say they have those little tricks that only they know that if you use, everything in your life will be perfect. Those little tricks. We are just “making of a to-do-list before sleeping” away from becoming the next Bill Gates.   There are no little tricks.   There is no success-mantra.   Self-improvement is a trap for 99% of the people. You can't do that unless you are very, very strong.   If you are looking for easy ways, you will only keep wasting your time forgetting that your time on this planet is limited, as alive humans that is.   Also, I feel that people who claim to read like a book a day or promote it are idiots. You retain nothing. When you do read a good book, you read slow, sometimes a whole paragraph, again and again, dwelling on it, trying to internalize its knowledge. You try to understand. You think. It takes time.   It's better to read a good book 10 times than 1000 stupid ones.   So be choosy. Read from the guys who actually know something, not some wannabe ‘influencers’.   Edit: Think And Grow Rich was written as a result of a project assigned to Napoleon Hill by Andrew Carnegie(the 2nd richest man in recent history). He was asked to study the most successful people on the planet and document which characteristics made them great. He did extensive work in studying hundreds of the most successful people of that time. The result was that little book.   Nowadays some people just study Instagram algorithms and think of themselves as a Dale Carnegie or Anthony Robbins. By Nupur Nishant, Quora Profits from free accurate cryptos signals: https://www.predictmag.com/    
    • there is no avoiding loses to be honest, its just how the market is. you win some and hopefully more, but u do lose some. 
    • $CSCO Cisco Systems stock, nice top of range breakout, from Stocks to Watch at https://stockconsultant.com/?CSCOSEPN Septerna stock watch for a bottom breakout, good upside price gap
    • $CSCO Cisco Systems stock, nice top of range breakout, from Stocks to Watch at https://stockconsultant.com/?CSCOSEPN Septerna stock watch for a bottom breakout, good upside price gap
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.