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A Trading Journal Is Like Sex

So why is keeping a trading journal like sex? Well it’s because…

     “When it’s good, it’s really really really good!… and when it’s bad, well, it’s better than nothing.”

     Now, we’re not just saying this to get some laughs – this is trading, we take trading seriously, and we take the above statement seriously.

     There is information out there on keeping a trading journal – but not nearly enough as there should be. 

    We won’t go on about the merits of keeping a trading journal – it should be obvious how important a journal is to your trading success. 
    Most people start one but don’t keep it going – which is a tragedy really as you only get the benefit of keeping a trading journal over time. 
 If you’ve tried and failed to keep a trading journal going; perhaps start again even in a small way, and keep it going through the good days and bad. You will find that not only does it get easier – it becomes a habit when you see how much it helps your trading. 
 Most importantly – remember that a bad trading journal is still better than no journal at all.

Jim Rogers' Keys to Success

JimRogerJim Rogers’ Keys to Success (taken from the titles and sub headings of each chapter of the new book, “A Gift to My Children: A Father’s Lessons for Life and Investing“)
1. Do not let others do your thinking for you
2. Focus on what you like
3. Good habits for life & investing
4. Common sense? not so common
5. Attention to details is what separates success from failure
6. Let the world be a part of your perspective
7. Learn philosophy & learn to think
8. Learn history
9. Learn languages (make sure Mandarin is one of them) (more…)

Traders Psychological TEST

Paul Farrell observes that 95% of traders don’t make it. 80% of all day traders lose money. One study found active investors turn over their portfolios excessively (258% annually) but made less than 12% on their money. Passive buy-and-hold investors with only 2% portfolio turnover had significantly better returns.

And, most day traders suffer negative health consequences from their hyper active market moves.

To find out what your trading instincts mean — to grade your own Traders Psychological Profile — answer the following questions Yes or N:

Traders Psychological Profile
Y N You’ve tried more than one new investment strategy this year
Y N Feel you’re buying and selling funds at the wrong time
Y N Rarely open up to anybody for feedback about your losses
Y N Subscribe to two or more newsletters, feel overwhelmed
Y N Can count on one hand all the good laughs this week
Y N Have a lingering resentment about someone or something
Y N You love cable news, but need more time to trade
Y N Rarely break a sweat when exercising the past few weeks
Y N Wonder whether you bet too much on recent investments
Y N Need more than three caffeine and alcohol drinks a day
Y N Feel “something” keeps you from making more money
Y N Frequently don’t trust your instincts or your strategy
Y N You’ve had a major family or personal loss recently
Y N Believe losses are caused by the market manipulators
Y N You’re overweight and snack often on comfort food
Y N Fear your future trades may fail due to a losing streak
Y N Diet and sleep are disturbed by worries about money
Y N Your retirement portfolio’s not growing fast enough
Y N No vacation in a year, and lack an active social life
Y N Nothing (or everything) interferes with making money

 

Add up the number of Yes answers. Farrell notes that if your total number of “yes” answers is six or more, then day trading is too stressful and risky for you.

The alternative to active trading is intelligent asset allocation. At the very least, he advises that you segregate your “untouchable” retirement money . . .

17 Keys To Success

Jim Rogers’ Keys to Success (taken from the titles and sub headings of each chapter of the new book, “A Gift To My Children”):
1. Do not let others do your thinking for you
2. Focus on what you like
3. Good habits for life & investing
4. Common sense? Not so common
5. Attention to details is what separates success from failure
6. Let the world be a part of your perspective
7. Learn philosophy & learn to think
8. Learn history
9. Learn languages (make sure Mandarin is one of them)
10. Understand your weaknesses & acknowledge your mistakes
11. Recognize change & embrace it
12. Look to the future
13. “Lady Luck smiles on those who continue their efforts”  
14. Remember that nothing is really new
15. Know when not to do anything
16. Pay attention to what everybody else neglects
17. If anybody laughs at your idea view it as a sign of potential success

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