Archives of “gut feeling” tag

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Manage risk in the markets and in life.

  
  Education
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No question that there is volatility in the markets right now. Too much volatility can lead to an increase in stress, especially if your trading involves holding positions longer than 5 minutes. Stress is part of the business so we have to adapt to it, both physically and mentally, or fade away. For some it is easier than others to find an activity to unwind and release some stress. Hitting the batting cages, taking in a movie, attending a sporting event, going for a jog or simply reading a good book are some examples.

I’d argue that those who have a difficult time taking a break from the trading world and thus the accompanying stress are also poor managers of risk. Having risk in the market is a given. Not having discipline to manage that risk is where they fail. We’ve all had that gut feeling that X is going to happen and a loss will occur, it’s part of the business. Those that take that loss, learn from it and move on are those that are able to escape the markets when needed.

Those that choose to not manage risk in the market fail to manage risk in life. Instead of taking the edge off at the local watering hole they stay there ’til last call, neglecting other duties in life. Instead of spending the weekends with family and friends to recharge they pore over charts, financial statements and twitter looking for the next holy grail. Always chasing, never catching.

Emotion and Trading

  
  Education
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While trading I watch my emotional state of mind more than the price action. This has helped me trade better

Here are some of the emotions I feel from time to time and what they mean to me in context of trading

1) hesitation to pull the tigger – something is not right – don’t take the bet

2) anger – start of revenge trading – stop ASAP

3) uncomfortable while watching or not watching the price – non aligned with the market, trading with too much size – reduce size or quit

4) ignoring the little voice and gut feeling – trust the inner voice and take action

5) trading on hope – quit asap

6) thinking after hours or during market hours of money you can make = greed, impatience to make money – focus on how much you can lose

7) stress = wrong side of the market

8) feeling joy = right side of the market

7 actions

  
  Education
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Perception-Action7 actions I do :
1) Enter a trade that doesn’t take off – cut it. I don’t care if it takes off after that.
2) Get a gut feeling that I’m on the wrong side of the market – cut it and reverse.
3) Stopped out twice on the same pair – stay flat and don’t trade until tomorrow.
4) In a trade that’s running well – only look at it towards end of current session and make a decision to stay into the end of the next one or not. (more…)

Trust Your Gut

  
  Education
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TRUST YOUR GUTThroughout my years trading, I’ve learned many things. In fact, it’s rare that a day goes by without learning something new. Which brings me to my first point; If anyone ever tells you they know everything there is to know about trading stocks, run away from that person as fast as you can!

OK, now that I got that out of the way let’s get back to the purpose of this post. One very important rule I have learned as a Trader is to trust your gut. Now, this rule only applies in specific circumstances. There are times when I have tried to convince myself that my gut wants me to do something. That’s no good! If you have to convince yourself that your gut agrees with a move you want to make in the market, it’s bogus.

The same applies if you have to ask yourself if your gut is telling you to make a move. Seeing a good trade idea and then sitting back and asking yourself if your gut agrees is not the way to go about applying the “trust your gut” rule.

Based on my experience, the only time to truly listen is when a “gut feeling” comes out of nowhere. It just happens…there’s no real explanation. You know it when it occurs, and I highly suggest you don’t ignore it.

That said, please do not add “what does my gut say?” to your pre-trade entry checklist. Also, please do not try to force a gut feeling. Let it come naturally! My objective here is to heighten your senses and hopefully make you more confident in acting those gut feelings when they come.

Focus

  
  Education
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The goal of a successful professional in any field is to reach his personal best. You need to concentrate on trading right. Each trade has to be handled like a surgical procedure – seriously, soberly, without sloppiness or shortcuts. This is a stock trading risk management plan. A loser cannot cut his losses quickly. When a trade starts going sour, he hopes and hangs on, and his loses pile up. And as soon as he gets out of a trade, the market comes roaring back.

  • Trends reverse when they do because most losers are alike. They act on their gut feeling instead of using their heads. The emotions of people are similar, regardless of their cultural background or educational levels.
     
  • Emotional traders go into risky gambles to avoid taking certain losses. It is human nature to take profits quickly and postpone taking losses. Emotional trading destroys those who lose. Good money management and timing techniques will keep you out of the hole. Losing traders look for a “sure thing”, hang on to hope, and irrationally avoid accepting small losses.
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