When I trade and I know that I won't be taking a signal over the next X number bars I will often web surf to fill the time. I've always figured it didn't really have a big affect on the signals that I take because there is a certain amount of "a signal is a signal" .... the signal to enter will be there or it won't and between the signals is only noise so I can surf the internet in between trades. I have learned from experience this week, at least for me, that what I thought was only noise in between entry signals does serve a vital purpose in my trading performance.... it keeps me in rhythm.
This is especially true in the short-term trading that I do. I compare watching the chart with no pending signal to a soccer player watching the action even while the ball is on the other side of the field and doesn't look like they'll be needed over the next 2 minutes. It would be ridiculous to watch a soccer player pull out their phone to surf the web while the action is away from them. Similarly its ridiculous that I do all these little mini web surfing sessions while I'm trading.
I suppose the genesis of the mini web surfing sessions occurred because they used to help me stay relaxed while my money was on the line. But I no longer have an issue with staying relaxed and surfing the web in between trading signals is taking me out of sync with the market. It's costing me money in terms of missed trades because every time I finish surfing it takes me a minute or two to get back in rhythm.
Going forward I will only be watching the charts as I'm trading. My focus will wax n' wane depending on where the action is but my attention will always remain on the charts.
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