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Trading Psychology How do we learn to conquer our fear and greed? Discuss the mental aspects of the game.

View Poll Results: What is easier to accomplish in your day-to-day trading
Consistent profits 9 52.94%
Roller coaster rides on P&L 8 47.06%
Voters: 17. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 04-30-2007, 07:05 PM   #1

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What's easier to do - consistent profits or spikes?

Hopefully you guys can tell that I am really into the psychology of trading. I think it's much more important than any system you could possibly design. And I think the many threads here really highlight this if you look at what is really being asked...

With that being said, I have a question for everyone. I think there is a poll listed at the top of the thread.

The question is: What is easier to do - create consistent profits on a regular basis or create 'roller coaster' rides on your P&L?

Last edited by brownsfan019; 04-30-2007 at 07:08 PM.
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Old 04-30-2007, 07:08 PM   #2

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Re: What's easier to do - consistent profits or spikes?

Please clarify what you mean by 'roller coaster' rides on your P&L.
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Old 04-30-2007, 07:09 PM   #3

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Re: What's easier to do - consistent profits or spikes?

Quote:
Originally Posted by notouch »
Please clarify what you mean by 'roller coaster' rides on your P&L.
Larger swings up and down. Some days you can't believe how much you made and other days you aren't quite sure what happened.

In other words, is it easier to make a solid profit per day and be happy or go for larger dollars, up or down?
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Old 04-30-2007, 07:13 PM   #4

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Re: What's easier to do - consistent profits or spikes?

Consistent profit over the long run is definally much harder to achieve in my opinion.

wanting a spike in your account is very easy. Position yourself before any major eco report. You will have a roller coaster ride. This Fri's Employment report can give you the chance to do that.


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Old 04-30-2007, 07:14 PM   #5
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Re: What's easier to do - consistent profits or spikes?

Yep, the roller coaster is quite easy. Especially intra-day. Make your daily goal or more in the morning, and give it away in the afternoon.

Gotta learn to quit when I'm still ahead, and enjoy the profits instead.
 
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Old 04-30-2007, 07:14 PM   #6

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Re: What's easier to do - consistent profits or spikes?

Note - I'm curious to see the results/posts and I have a follow up question to this once there's some data.
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Old 04-30-2007, 07:17 PM   #7

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Re: What's easier to do - consistent profits or spikes?

I find multi-day swing trading much easier and more profitable than scalping 10 ticks here and there during the day. I also find looking for a 40 point intraday move in YM a lot easier and more profitable than trying to find 4 10 point profits.

I haven't voted because your question seems loaded in favour of the first option. I still don't really understand what your question is getting at.

Last edited by notouch; 04-30-2007 at 07:21 PM.
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Old 04-30-2007, 07:20 PM   #8

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Re: What's easier to do - consistent profits or spikes?

Quote:
Originally Posted by notouch »
I find multi-day swing trading much easier and more profitable than scalping 10 ticks here and there during the day. I also find looking for a 40 point intraday move in YM a lot easier and more profitable than trying to find 4 10 point profits.
Interesting notouch!!

That flies in the face of active daytraders like myself, but it is something that I have looked at more and more actually.

It's very counter-intuitive actually - trade less, make more. Maybe even not trade during the regular session. That will mess with your mind! :rolleyes:
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