RULE # 1:USE MONEY YOU CAN AFFORD TO LOSE
If you are trading With funds
1) You need for some family projects, you are doomed to failure.this is because you wont be able to enjoy the mental freedom to make sound trading decisions.
2)your trading funds should be viewed as money you are willing to lose. your position should be careful analysed so you don’t jeopardize other funds or assets.
3)one of the keys to successful trading is mental independance.
4)you have got to trade outside influencing factors and that means your trading freedom must not be influenced by the fear of losing money you really have earmarked for a specific need.
RULE # 2: KNOW YOURSELF
1)you need an objective temperament, an ability to control emotions and carry a position without losing sleep. Although trading discipline can be developed, the successful traders are unemotional about their positions.
2)there are many exciting things happening in the market everyday so it takes a hard nosed type of attitude and an ability to stand above short term circumstances.If you do not have this attitude you will be changing your mind and your positions every few minutes.
RULE # 3: START SMALL
1)Test your trading ability by making paper trades. then begin to trade small.start with mini account.
2) beginning traders should learn the mechanics of trading before graduating to more volatile contracts.
RULE # 4
O NOT OVER COMMIT
1)One rule of thumb is to keep three times the money in your margin account than is needed for that particular position.Reduce your position if necessary to confirm to that rule.this rule helps you avoid trading decisions based on the amount of money in your margin account.
2) If you are under margined you may be forced to liquidate a position early at a costly loss that could have been avoided.
RULE # 5: ISOLATE YOUR TRADING FROM YOUR DESIRE FOR PROFIT.
1)do not hope for a move so much that your trade is based on hope. The successful trader is able to isolate his trading from his emotion. Although hope is a great virtue in other areas of life, it can be a real hindrance to a trader.
2)When hoping that the market will turn around in their favor beginners often violate basic trading rules. (more…)
Archives of “three times” tag
rssMy 11 Trading Rules
Trading in the markets is a process, and there is always room for self improvement. Here are my 11 rules that help me navigate the markets. By no means is this list exhaustive or exclusive.
Rule #1
Be data centric in your approach. Take the time and make the effort to understand what works and what doesn’t. Trading decisions should be objective and based upon the data.
Rule #2
Be disciplined. The data should guide you in your decisions. This is the only way to navigate a potentially hostile and fearful environment.
Rule #3
Be flexible. At first glance this would seem to contradict Rule #2; however, I recognize that markets change and that trading strategies cannot account for every conceivable factor. Giving yourself some wiggle
room or discretion is ok, but I would not stray too far from the data or your strategies.
Rule #4
Always question the prevailing dogma. The markets love dogma. “Prices are above the 50 day moving average”, “prices are breaking out”, and “don’t fight the Fed” are some of the most often heard sayings.
But what do they really mean for prices? Make your own observations and define your own rules. See Rule #1. (more…)