I took the first two days off this week to catch up on some sleep. Lots of opportunity left of on the table by me today.
+ 9.5 pips = + $19.19
08.04.10
I took the first two days off this week to catch up on some sleep. Lots of opportunity left of on the table by me today.
I took the first two days off this week to catch up on some sleep. Lots of opportunity left of on the table by me today.
+ 11 pips = + $22.00
07.30.10
July Total: + 3.21 pips :)
Still in trading purgatory. Sideways results for the past two months. No big deal other than not reaching my goals as fast as I would like. I've definitely learned some things over the past two months that are difficult to put into words but I should be able to more reliably put into practice going forward. Call it levelheadedness, objective thinking, knowing-what-I-am-doing-and-why-I-am-doing-it, etc. Whatever the case may be I'm hoping to once again increase my trade size again towards the end of next month.... positive results permitting. Have a great weekend ya'll. WORD.
July Total: + 3.21 pips :)
Still in trading purgatory. Sideways results for the past two months. No big deal other than not reaching my goals as fast as I would like. I've definitely learned some things over the past two months that are difficult to put into words but I should be able to more reliably put into practice going forward. Call it levelheadedness, objective thinking, knowing-what-I-am-doing-and-why-I-am-doing-it, etc. Whatever the case may be I'm hoping to once again increase my trade size again towards the end of next month.... positive results permitting. Have a great weekend ya'll. WORD.
+ 7.7 pips = + $15.40
07.29.10
Loss, Win, Loss, Win, + 7.7 pips is how the day went for me. My charts are still up but I won't be taking anymore trades. I'll be watching the market until its time to leave for my day job.
Loss, Win, Loss, Win, + 7.7 pips is how the day went for me. My charts are still up but I won't be taking anymore trades. I'll be watching the market until its time to leave for my day job.
+ 11 pips = + $22.19
07.27.10
Made mistakes and overcame mistakes to end the day positive. Allot of what I learn while trading is difficult to put into words. The hope is that I'll have tangible proof of lessons learned with a steadily rising equity curve. =)
Made mistakes and overcame mistakes to end the day positive. Allot of what I learn while trading is difficult to put into words. The hope is that I'll have tangible proof of lessons learned with a steadily rising equity curve. =)
Inactivity
07.20.10
Didn't trade this morning as I hoped I would. As I mentioned earlier trading this week is tough because of my work schedule. Time will tell if I can fit some more in!
Didn't trade this morning as I hoped I would. As I mentioned earlier trading this week is tough because of my work schedule. Time will tell if I can fit some more in!
+ 3.8 pips = + $7.90
07.19.10
I could only squeeze 15 minutes of trading into my schedule today! Tomorrow as long as things don't get too crazy with work then I'll be able to trade for 2 hours.
I could only squeeze 15 minutes of trading into my schedule today! Tomorrow as long as things don't get too crazy with work then I'll be able to trade for 2 hours.
- 7.7 pips = - $15.41
07.16.10
I'm in trading purgatory. Something isn't fully clicking in my brain. Annoying as shit.
Next week is gonna be tough because of my day job. However, I'll try to fit some trading into my schedule... we'll see.
Have a great weekend! WORD
I'm in trading purgatory. Something isn't fully clicking in my brain. Annoying as shit.
Next week is gonna be tough because of my day job. However, I'll try to fit some trading into my schedule... we'll see.
Have a great weekend! WORD
+ 14.7 pips = + $29.59
07.15.10
I think today was a very trade-able day. I had a goal to be methodical about my trades today while not worrying about if I'm going to miss a trade because I'm being too methodical. I'm really interested in experiencing how I'm going to handle having 3 days in a row where my more methodical trading results in hardly any trades. Will I slip back into bad habits or will I stay on course? Time will tell.
I think today was a very trade-able day. I had a goal to be methodical about my trades today while not worrying about if I'm going to miss a trade because I'm being too methodical. I'm really interested in experiencing how I'm going to handle having 3 days in a row where my more methodical trading results in hardly any trades. Will I slip back into bad habits or will I stay on course? Time will tell.
+ 3.1 pips = + $6.20
07.13.10
I was barely able to trade today. I had a long weekend and dropped my bro off at the airport late last night. The remainder of this week I'll resume normal activity.
I was barely able to trade today. I had a long weekend and dropped my bro off at the airport late last night. The remainder of this week I'll resume normal activity.
+ 5.6 pips = + $11.39
07.09.10
5.6 pips earned the hard way. I don't have an answer to better performance other than to keep pluggin' away. Recently every time I try to change something to capture just a few more pips per day I end up having a max-loss day or several max loss days.
I'm sticking with the reduced trade size for the foreseeable future.
10 pips per day is definitely do-able.
I won't be trading until Tues. next week because I'm attending a wedding on Sunday night and so waking up at 5am probably won't happen on Monday =)
5.6 pips earned the hard way. I don't have an answer to better performance other than to keep pluggin' away. Recently every time I try to change something to capture just a few more pips per day I end up having a max-loss day or several max loss days.
I'm sticking with the reduced trade size for the foreseeable future.
10 pips per day is definitely do-able.
I won't be trading until Tues. next week because I'm attending a wedding on Sunday night and so waking up at 5am probably won't happen on Monday =)
- 19.7 pips = - $39.40
07.08.10
Market reads today were horrible. My first trade was stopped out to the tick before moving to my target. Second trade I didn't hold to target. Third & Fourth trades were impatient. Simply a tough day but my mistakes are correctable. Wait for price to create a recognizable structured pattern and if it doesn't then don't place a trade. It's better to sit through no trades then to make bad trades.
Market reads today were horrible. My first trade was stopped out to the tick before moving to my target. Second trade I didn't hold to target. Third & Fourth trades were impatient. Simply a tough day but my mistakes are correctable. Wait for price to create a recognizable structured pattern and if it doesn't then don't place a trade. It's better to sit through no trades then to make bad trades.
+ 12.5 pips = + $12.50
07.07.10
First trade was an insta-loss and my second trade I held to target. My 3rd & 4th trades I cut short and left an additional 10 pips on the table between the two of them by not holding to the profit targets.
Today was better than yesterday and tomorrow will be better than today. I will conquer this final trading challenge and establish myself as one of the consistently winning participants.
First trade was an insta-loss and my second trade I held to target. My 3rd & 4th trades I cut short and left an additional 10 pips on the table between the two of them by not holding to the profit targets.
Today was better than yesterday and tomorrow will be better than today. I will conquer this final trading challenge and establish myself as one of the consistently winning participants.
Trust
07.06.2010
I was watching one of Austin P's video posts today and he spoke to my exact problem...Lack of Trust.
For this reason I'm once again reducing my trade size. This is my last remaining hurdle to consistent good performance in the market. I know this. Over the next few days I'll begin to change for the better. My results may take a step or two backwards before moving vastly forward but that's how it goes.
I was watching one of Austin P's video posts today and he spoke to my exact problem...Lack of Trust.
- Do I Identify winning trades: Yes.
- Do I accept the risk of each trade and always honor my stop loss: Yes.
- Do I trust the trade will go to my target: NO (But the trade very often does go to target)
For this reason I'm once again reducing my trade size. This is my last remaining hurdle to consistent good performance in the market. I know this. Over the next few days I'll begin to change for the better. My results may take a step or two backwards before moving vastly forward but that's how it goes.
- 23 pips = - $237
+ 1 pip = + $16.98
*Update* - For the month of June I'm -9 pips
06.30.10
Today was a mental battle and I feel like I nearly ended up with another max loss day. However, I forced myself to get up and walk around the apartment before I took too many ill advised trades.
I was taking my trades off of the 10 sec chart only. I'll continue with this change until further notice.
I'll do a month end wrap up post later on.
06.30.10
Today was a mental battle and I feel like I nearly ended up with another max loss day. However, I forced myself to get up and walk around the apartment before I took too many ill advised trades.
I was taking my trades off of the 10 sec chart only. I'll continue with this change until further notice.
I'll do a month end wrap up post later on.
-20 pips = - $206.02
06.29.10
Another max loss day. I'd like to continue to trade today but I know it's not in my best interests. I don't want to risk looking at a negative 30 pip day.
There was at least one warning sign that could have prevented me from taking further losses after my initial loss. In addition to my 1st loss there were 3 other trades that were essentially misfires. This could tell me that I'm not reading the market very well and I then could know to step back until something changes.
I'll also say that I knew these final two trades were riskier than most because they were at extremes.
Days like this wouldn't matter as much if I could do better at maximizing my gains when I'm in sync with the market.
Another max loss day. I'd like to continue to trade today but I know it's not in my best interests. I don't want to risk looking at a negative 30 pip day.
There was at least one warning sign that could have prevented me from taking further losses after my initial loss. In addition to my 1st loss there were 3 other trades that were essentially misfires. This could tell me that I'm not reading the market very well and I then could know to step back until something changes.
I'll also say that I knew these final two trades were riskier than most because they were at extremes.
Days like this wouldn't matter as much if I could do better at maximizing my gains when I'm in sync with the market.
+ 3 pips = + $31
06.25.10
The pace of the market became really slow for a good part of the session today. I didn't try to force any trades. My last trade today came within a pip or so from my stop and then reversed into a profit. It reminded me of the one time I watched a trade come within FRACTIONS of a pips of my stop and not get hit before reversing into profit. Of course most of the time if price is only fractions of pips away from my stop it means I'm about to take a loss. Hakuna Matata
The pace of the market became really slow for a good part of the session today. I didn't try to force any trades. My last trade today came within a pip or so from my stop and then reversed into a profit. It reminded me of the one time I watched a trade come within FRACTIONS of a pips of my stop and not get hit before reversing into profit. Of course most of the time if price is only fractions of pips away from my stop it means I'm about to take a loss. Hakuna Matata
+ 7 pips = + $70
06.24.10
As usual I left allot of money on the table today. Unfortunately there isn't a simple fix for capturing more of the move. There no doubt is a fix for me but I've yet to resolve the problem to its simple and elegant solution. It's really not a matter of if I'll get there...only when? Keep on keepin' on. WORD.
As usual I left allot of money on the table today. Unfortunately there isn't a simple fix for capturing more of the move. There no doubt is a fix for me but I've yet to resolve the problem to its simple and elegant solution. It's really not a matter of if I'll get there...only when? Keep on keepin' on. WORD.
+ 6 pips = + $68.98
06.23.10
I've weathered the storm. Today could easily have been a losing day and I would still proclaim that I've weathered the storm. My mentality was in check the entire day today. Please see an update to yesterday's post to find what was the source of my problem.
I was busy with various things this morning before I had to get ready for work so I wasn't able to trade my full time slot. Regardless, it felt really good to have my confidence and clarity back. The past week-ish or so had been a challenge. But having had experienced clarity and confidence concerning the markets in the past it was much easier this time to right my ways.
I've weathered the storm. Today could easily have been a losing day and I would still proclaim that I've weathered the storm. My mentality was in check the entire day today. Please see an update to yesterday's post to find what was the source of my problem.
I was busy with various things this morning before I had to get ready for work so I wasn't able to trade my full time slot. Regardless, it felt really good to have my confidence and clarity back. The past week-ish or so had been a challenge. But having had experienced clarity and confidence concerning the markets in the past it was much easier this time to right my ways.
-17 pips = - $173
06.22.10
Such bad trading and it is as simple as that.
*Update* - After going over everything again & again I've discovered what is the main source of my poor performance the past week or so. - Lack of Focus - Of course lack of focus can take many forms and lack of focus as a problem means nothing unless I get specific.
Specifically, lack of focus has been hurting me the past week regarding my chart analysis. Usually, when I've been performing profitably I only look at 2 charts once my long-term S&R lines are set. However, recently I've allowed myself to frequently flip time frames while trading to search for something that isn't there .... a guarantee. Paradoxically the more I stop looking for a guaranteed win the easier it is to go on long streaks of nothing but wins.
Back at it tomorrow. Once my long-term S&R lines are drawn on the chart I'm locked in on my two preferred time frames. 30sec & 5 sec. FOCUS.
Such bad trading and it is as simple as that.
*Update* - After going over everything again & again I've discovered what is the main source of my poor performance the past week or so. - Lack of Focus - Of course lack of focus can take many forms and lack of focus as a problem means nothing unless I get specific.
Specifically, lack of focus has been hurting me the past week regarding my chart analysis. Usually, when I've been performing profitably I only look at 2 charts once my long-term S&R lines are set. However, recently I've allowed myself to frequently flip time frames while trading to search for something that isn't there .... a guarantee. Paradoxically the more I stop looking for a guaranteed win the easier it is to go on long streaks of nothing but wins.
Back at it tomorrow. Once my long-term S&R lines are drawn on the chart I'm locked in on my two preferred time frames. 30sec & 5 sec. FOCUS.
+ 1 pip = + $9.99
06.21.10
Eh. Same story.... didn't hold onto my first two winners to target. Not even sure I would've taken the 3rd trade if I had executed the first 2 correctly.
Eh. Same story.... didn't hold onto my first two winners to target. Not even sure I would've taken the 3rd trade if I had executed the first 2 correctly.
- 11 pips = - $119
06.18.10
I knew the pace was slow today but that knowledge didn't help me pull out a win. Perhaps it allowed me to lessen my loss though. Regardless, even though I've been trading for a while I'm still not where I'd like to be. The loss today doesn't bother me. What does bother me is that I don't think I'm making the most of my winning days.
I knew the pace was slow today but that knowledge didn't help me pull out a win. Perhaps it allowed me to lessen my loss though. Regardless, even though I've been trading for a while I'm still not where I'd like to be. The loss today doesn't bother me. What does bother me is that I don't think I'm making the most of my winning days.
+ 6 pips = + $61.00
06.17.10
I can't wait for when I don't have to protect my state of mind so fiercely. I'm booking the win early so I can move on to the next day w/ confidence.
I can't wait for when I don't have to protect my state of mind so fiercely. I'm booking the win early so I can move on to the next day w/ confidence.
+ 3 pips = + $36.98
06.09.10
The bright side of the past two days is only a few months ago I would have probably scored negative 45 pips. Instead I'm plus 5 pips.
The bright side of the past two days is only a few months ago I would have probably scored negative 45 pips. Instead I'm plus 5 pips.
+ 11.5 pips = + $51.75
06.04.10
I'm ending my trading session a bit early today. So in addition to posting my trades, since my trading session was so short today, I can also post my trading screen. I keep it very simple.
I'm ending my trading session a bit early today. So in addition to posting my trades, since my trading session was so short today, I can also post my trading screen. I keep it very simple.
+ 9.1 pips = + $40.95
For the Month of May I'm + 56.3 pips
For the second month in a row implementing max loss days have really helped me. In addition to limiting my loss on any given day a max loss limit also helps me plan my money management. As I begin adding money to my account I can now more easily approximate my risk knowing a worst case scenario is I'll lose X amount of money if I have 5 or 10 max loss days in a row.
For the second month in a row implementing max loss days have really helped me. In addition to limiting my loss on any given day a max loss limit also helps me plan my money management. As I begin adding money to my account I can now more easily approximate my risk knowing a worst case scenario is I'll lose X amount of money if I have 5 or 10 max loss days in a row.
+ 12.9 pips = + $58.05
05.25.10
My first trade with an increase in size was a loser but the cool thing is that it didn't faze me anymore than any other loss does.
My first trade with an increase in size was a loser but the cool thing is that it didn't faze me anymore than any other loss does.
+ 5 pips = + $7.64
05.21.10
Just one trade to start and end my week. I consciously wanted to trade everyday this week however I think a subconscious override was initiated as it was an incredible struggle to pull myself out of bed in the morning when the alarm went off. I should be back to trading nearly everyday again next week. I think I needed a mini-break this week for whatever reason.
Just one trade to start and end my week. I consciously wanted to trade everyday this week however I think a subconscious override was initiated as it was an incredible struggle to pull myself out of bed in the morning when the alarm went off. I should be back to trading nearly everyday again next week. I think I needed a mini-break this week for whatever reason.
Back
05.19.10
A little bit of laziness & a little bit of needing to take a break crept into my mind this week. I'll be back at it tomorrow and Friday.
A little bit of laziness & a little bit of needing to take a break crept into my mind this week. I'll be back at it tomorrow and Friday.
+ 11 pips = + $5.65
05.03.10
I think I'll be increasing my trade size some time this month. We'll see...
I think I'll be increasing my trade size some time this month. We'll see...
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