Just Don't Trade When...Just Don’t Do It Trader
By now, you know what to do as a trader.
I’ve pretty much drilled in your mind. You can hear my voice echo the 4 Ms.
But one overlooked thing that’s also important…
Are the things not to do.
Let’s crack into the 5 things…
#1: DON’T fear losing – It’s just the cost of trading
Losing trades are an inevitable part of trading.
So why fear losses if they are going to come.
And it’s not just one or two losses.
You’re about to take thousands of losses in your life.
But don’t see them as losses.
Instead, view them as the cost of doing business in the markets.
Every trade carries a level of risk (hence we use stop losses in every trade).
And losses are opportunities to learn and refine your strategies (if need be).
So make it natural to embrace your losses as a part of the trading process.
This way you’ll cut the ego, and take on each trade with a more objective and focussed point.
#2: DON’T dwell on past failures – You are only as good as your last trade
While it is essential to learn from past mistakes.
If you dwell on them, they will excessively hinder your hard worked progress.
Trading is an ever-evolving journey, and each trade presents a new opportunity.
Instead of fixating on past failures, blown accounts, big drawdowns and times you just F*ed up with your trading system and mentality…
Rather focus on the present and future.
There is only NOW and what is to COME.
So apply the past time lessons and focus on improving your decision-making performance in the next trade.
You are only as good as your last trade.
#3: DON’T expect fast riches – This is a slow and gradual process
Trading is not a get-rich-quick scheme.
If you expect to make it big in the first three years, I have news for you.
Unless you already have a million rand portfolio to grow and bank from, this is going to take take.
Cut out these unrealistic expectations because it’s going to be an emotional ride with excessive risk-taking.
Instead, adopt a long-term perspective, set realistic goals and understand that trading success is a gradual process.
Let the power of compounding work in your favour over time.
#4: DON’T compare yourself to others – Your personality & risk profile shape you
Each trader is unique.
You are unique.
Therefore, you have different risk tolerance levels, trading styles, and market perspectives.
If you compare yourself to others, you’re going to feel inadequate and you’re going to enter into temptation on imitating their portfolios.
It is essential to embrace your own strengths and weaknesses as a trader. Understand your personality, risk profile, and trading preferences, and align your strategies accordingly.
Find what works for you and develop a personalized approach that suits your individual needs and goals.
Trading is a self-learning journey that takes time and effort to master.
#5: DON’T give up – You only lose when you quit!
Persistence is key in trading.
It is natural to face challenges and setbacks along the way.
But the only time you truly lose is when you give up.
Stay committed, maintain a positive mindset, and keep pushing forward.
You still being in the game is what will differentiate you between failure and success.
So let’s conclude what you must NOT do…
#1: DON’T fear losing – It’s just the cost of trading
#2: DON’T dwell on past failures – You are only as good as your last trade
#3: DON’T expect fast riches – This is a slow and gradual process
#4: DON’T compare yourself to others – Your personality & risk profile shape you
#5: DON’T give up – You only lose when you quit!
Just don’t do it, trader!
SA40 trade ideas
Revenge Trading is Lethal - 5 Reasons Why!Do you feel it in your bones.
Where do you want to:
Take trades to make up for losses?
Take trades for the sake of trading?
Take trades out of emotions and gut (gat feel)?
Take trades to make a quick buck?
If so, you have felt the power and dangers of Revenge Trading.
TO put it blunt.
Revenge trading is detrimental, dangerous and just plain stupid for any traders to succumb to.
I feel like I can finish the article already as I have said what I needed to.
Not just yet! You need to understand why Revenge Trading is to your downfall.
Let’s start with these:
#1: Impulsive decisions are dangerous
In the heat of the moment, you just want to take an impulsive trade.
This can lead to disastrous outcomes.
Revenge trading happens when you want to try recoup losses quickly.
And so traders abandon their strategies, systems and rules.
And they take on unwarranted risks.
This will stop you from making good, calculated, logical and well-informed decisions based on sound reasoning and market research.
Don’t do it!
#2: Trading on emotions is deadly
Emotions such as fear, greed, and frustration have no place in trading.
Revenge trading is fueled by these emotions.
And this causes traders to deviate and steer way from their plans by instead acting irrationally.
What then? Bigger losses, unnecessary risks to the portfolio and skewed results on your trackrecord.
Your hard earned and timely worked on journal!
Is it worth it?
I think not.
Cut out your emotions and work at being calm and take on the more logical approach, devoid of emotional interference.
#3: Violating trading rules is damaging
Every trader should have a set of well-defined trading rules in place.
Not just rules but also a list of criteria.
Revenge trading typically involves disregarding these rules and just going against everything you should do.
Basically, what the average dumb retail trader does which results in 98% of traders losing in this financial endeavour.
Violate your rules and there will be severe consequences.
Loss of confidence.
Bigger losses
More losses
Erratic wins (which make you want to do it again and again and again)
Not worth it.
Don’t do it.
#4: Too much unnecessary risk
You know you’re using your hard earned cash to trade and build a portfolio right?
So why are you burning it and cutting it up like it’s nothing?
This reckless behavior can lead to bigger drawdowns and can even wipe out trading accounts entirely.
Don’t do it!
#5: Creates an ongoing cycle of doing it again
Great! Once you have violated your rules, gone against your strategy and pretty much gone ape or rogue on trading – it takes a lot to gain ones integrity and discipline back.
One of the most dangerous aspects of revenge trading is its cyclical nature.
Break the rule, you’ll break it again.
Cheat, you’ll cheat again.
Enter a gambling mentality and you’re in trouble.
Bank a winning rogue trade and you’ll succumb to the trading world of discretionary action.
However, if these subsequent trades result in further losses, the cycle repeats, trapping traders in a never-ending loop of revenge trading.
Breaking free from this destructive pattern will then need a ton of discipline, self-awareness, and a commitment to sticking to one’s trading plan.
So please be careful.
Trade well!
Don’t trade like gambler.
Avoid the perils of revenge trading by all means, starting from today.
And when you feel the need to do it (like a junkie), come back and read this article.
Had to be said.
Traders Help the Economy in 4 Ways!When you trade and invest, there are many elements that you will continue to help contribute to.
I can think of 4 main ways including:
Way #1: You help with liquidity (volume)
Remember, you are the intermediary in the markets.
When you exchange money and buy and sell, you’re helping provide liquidity and volume.
This makes it easier for other market participants to trade and manage risk. No matter how small or big the account size is, every trade counts.
(Similar to the butterfly effect).
Way #2: Helping our fellow brokers and managers
Yes I know most people can’t stand the fact of the fat cats making millions of rands off other portfolios.
But in South Africa, I find that most brokers are very small and don’t earn a lot of money.
(Some small brokers earn under R25,000 per month).
So when you buy and sell trades, you will help pay the small brokerage fees, which will aid to the salaries of the brokers you are using.
Way #3: When you pay brokerage and fees, it creates more jobs
When you pay the brokerage and trading platform fees.
You are not only helping the brokers. But also the company they work for.
The more money that goes into the firms, the more jobs that are created for other employees (Facilitators, marketers, support staff, risk managers, accountants, analysts, domestic workers, etc…)
Way #4: This brings growth to your broker or market maker
When your broker is doing well, as they have good clients and investors – this gives them a bigger incentive to help build and grow the company further including:
· Better technology.
· Better innovation
· Better efficiency
· Better features in the business
This will also improve your experience with their growth developments.
And so, I’m sure you can see that even if you want to trade for yourself, you will still be helping many companies, people and the economy as a whole…
Nothing to feel bad about.
5 DANGERS of Trading Penny StocksJust so you know.
I believe if you’re following a world renown and successful Penny Share expert, you’re in good hands.
They are able to spot low risk investments and guide you through the process of owning great Penny Stocks.
But as a trader , who only looks at charts – THIS IS DANGEROUS TERRITORY.
Remember, Penny Shares are high risk, high volatile, low credible companies that are LOW prices i.e. Under $1.00.
And so, I just want to write as a trader point of view five key reasons why penny stocks can be dangerous to traders.
DANGER #1: High Volatility (Jumpiness)
Penny stocks are notorious for their high volatility.
These stocks tend to experience rapid and drastic price fluctuations, often without apparent reasons.
I’m talking about companies that can jump 10%, 30% and even 70% in a day.
The lack of stability and price predictability can make it very difficult for traders to make informed decisions.
Sudden price jumps or drops can result in significant gains or losses within a short period, amplifying the risk factor.
And if you place your stop loss within a tight range, there’s a bigger chance you’ll get stopped out.
DANGER #2: Low Liquidity (Less Volume)
Think of Liquidity like the flow of water.
It tells you the ease of being able to BUY or SELL a market, without impacting too much of the price.
Once again, we look for low to medium volatility.
Penny stocks typically have low liquidity due to limited trading volume.
With fewer buyers and sellers in the market, it can be difficult to execute trades at the prices you want.
And this leads to slippage and even higher transaction costs.
Also, low liquidity may also prevent you from even entering or exiting your positions quickly.
And this can even TRAP you in an unfavourable market environment for an extended period of time.
DANGER #3: Not Established Businesses
Penny stocks are often associated with small, early-stage companies that are not yet established in their respective industries.
These companies may lack a proven track record, have limited financial history, and face various operational and market risks.
So if you want to invest in these type of companies as a trader, it’s better you do it with fundamentals, research, business models and future prospects.
If you do it purely on speculative purposes, this could be very risky for your portfolio.
DANGER #4: More Likely to Head to Zero
Yes all trading requires levels and degrees of risk and rewards.
But it is not worth it, if some petty company is doing really badly and is showing signs of going to 0.00.
Penny stocks are more susceptible to declining in value and potentially heading towards zero.
I mean, South Africa has witnessed instances where penny stocks have experienced substantial losses, which took out a ton of investors.
For example, companies like African Bank Investments Ltd (ABIL) and Oakbay Resources and Energy Limited serve as cautionary tales, where investors lost huge amounts as these companies approached or reached bankruptcy.
Talking about bankruptcy.
DANGER #5: High Chance of Bankruptcy and Liquidations
Penny stocks are also more likely to go bankrupt or get liquidated compared to a Blue-chip stock.
This is because of the nature of the companies, the inexperience, the lack of funds and structure, as well as its credibility.
Financial instability, mismanagement, or unfavourable market conditions can lead to the collapse of these businesses.
We saw this also in South Africa with the liquidation of Sharemax Investments and the bankruptcy of Pamodzi Gold Limited.
This lead investors with little to no value for their investments.
So remember this as a traders
We want low volatility, high liquidity (volume), credible companies with great reputations, track record and credibility. And we want attractive charts that work with our trading strategies.
If you want to be a savvy Penny Share investor that's fine.
But as a trader, I have given my precautions.
Optimal Guide to Action Trades BetterThere are only a few decisions you need to make as a trader.
When you actually need to press buttons to action trades.
To enter, to adjust and to exit.
It’s crucial for you to know when is the right time to do so.
You need to consider certain factors and criteria to enhance the chance of profitability.
And at the same time to mitigate risks.
So here are four optimal actions you’ll need to take.
When the Trading Signals Line Up – ACTION!
This one is a given.
When your trading system, strategy and signal all align.
This refers to the convergence of multiple indicators or technical analysis tools, such as breakout patterns, Smart Money Concepts, moving averages, trend lines, or oscillators.
When these signals confirm each other, it presents a higher probability trade setup.
You need to wait for the confirmation though and the go ahead.
This way, you’ll gain the competitive edge for when to enter and to avoid premature trades.
Adjust the Stop Loss or Take Profit Levels – ACTION!
During a trade, it is essential to monitor the market closely and be ready to adjust the stop loss or take profit levels (according to your strategy).
This should NOT be guess work. This should be calculated on probabilities and in a way that you can optimise the strategy in a mechanical fashion.
The stop loss is a predetermined level that limits the potential loss on a trade.
While the take profit is a predefined level at which a trader intends to exit the trade with a profit.
As the market evolves, price action and new information may necessitate revising these levels to protect profits or minimize losses. Which we often do as traders to increase the win rate and lock in potential and minimal profits.
Traders should remain flexible and make timely adjustments to ensure their trade is aligned with the prevailing market conditions.
When the Time Stop Loss Hits – ACTION!
In certain trading scenarios, there may be a need to exit a trade before it becomes a long-term investment.
This is particularly relevant in markets where overnight positions incur daily interest charges, such as in some derivative or forex markets.
Traders must set a predetermined time stop loss i.e. 7 weeks holding a trade.
You don’t want to incur too many interest charges.
You don’t want to MARRY a trade.
You don’t want to have capital tied up in stock during nonperforming trades.
This is an opportunity cost where you can choose better trades to line up.
If this time stop loss is reached, it is prudent to exit the trade (no matter what time of day it is), even if it is still within the specified stop loss or take profit levels.
Either you’ll take a less than desired profit or less than expected loss.
By adhering to the time stop loss, traders can avoid accumulating excessive interest charges and maintain your trading strategy’s integrity.
When a Freak Anomaly Spooks the Market, like a Black Swan – ACTION!
In rare instances, unforeseen events or anomalies, often referred to as Black Swan events, can greatly disrupt financial markets.
These events are characterized by their unpredictability and magnitude, causing extreme market volatility. Normally when a market or index moves 10 times the standard deviation of it’s normal move.
When such anomalies occur, it is crucial to act swiftly and exit the trade.
Trying to ride out these events can lead to substantial losses.
By recognizing the abnormality and promptly exiting the trade, traders protect their capital and avoid unnecessary risks associated with highly volatile market conditions.
That’s it.
A few but powerful times you need to take action to lock in, protect, manage, bank and call it quits.
Master this and you’ll make better and well-timed decisions and adapt your positions to changing market conditions.
Why you DID NOT take the trade - 4 REASONSSo you never took a trade again?
This could be where the problems are rising.
It’s also where you are probably missing out on what could help take your portfolio out of the drawdown.
And sometimes, despite favourable market conditions, you may find yourself still hesitating to enter a trade.
I want to explore four common reasons why traders fail to take the trade and how to overcome them.
#1: The market moved too much
One of the most common reasons traders hesitate to take the trade is that…
The market has already moved significantly, and they fear they have missed the opportunity.
However, it’s important to remember that the market is constantly in motion.
The train will move and there is always an opportune moment to get into a trade.
A sound trading strategy should take into account different market conditions, including volatile ones, and provide clear entry and exit points.
If the market lines up despite how high or low it’s gone.
Just take the trade.
#2: You’re scared to lose the trade
FOLO or Fear Of Losing Out is another common reason traders hesitate to enter a trade.
While it’s natural to want to avoid losses.
It’s important to remember that trading involves risk, and losses are inevitable.
A sound risk management strategy, including setting stop-loss orders and managing position size, can help you to minimize potential losses and build confidence in entering a trade.
#3: Too much money to spend
Traders may also hesitate to enter a trade if they feel they have too much money to spend.
Take oil for example.
Most market markets (brokers) offer you to buy Brent crude but you have to buy 100 contracts as a minimum.
In this case, it MIGHT be too much money to spend.
Not because of how much of your portfolio you’re using up, but also because the risk might outweigh 2% of your portfolio.
Then you get other markets like the JSE ALMI 40, where you’ll need to spend around R9,000 to enter a trade.
It sounds like a lot (especially if your portfolio is less than 10,000. But, that’s why one should start with a larger minimum account size.
I started with R30,000 in 2003 and even then it was too little to grow into a substantial amount.
Then when it grew to the first R150,000, I started feeling comfortable with the portfolio size and it opened more opportunities to trade additional markets.
So, that’s why if you want to take trading seriously, you got to cough up the cash into your portfolio and trade accordingly to strict money and reward management.
#4: No trust in the system yet
This one is a given and the most abundant reason to NOT take a trade.
You might hesitate to enter a trade if you don’t have faith or confidence in your trading strategy or system.
In this case, it’s essential to go back, review and test the strategy, ensuring it aligns with personal trading goals and is backed by sound research and analysis.
When you build trust in a trading system, and you take the time and patience to see the good and the bad, then your confidence will grow.
And that will be an essential step towards taking more trades to help grow your portfolio.
Why don’t you take trades when you should?
Is it because:
You don’t trust your system
You’re scared to lose money
You don’t trust certain markets
You don’t have enough money to trade different instruments
You’re not ready with your strategy
You don’t have confidence with yourself, discipline and emotions yet?
Find them, harness them, work on them and you might have your answer.
JSE ALSI 40 M Formation - Breaking down We have a ton of different signals with the JSE ALSI 40.
This is where trading can get a bit tricky and frustrating. But it's for this reason, one needs to learn how to hedge positions.
And by hedge I mean, hold equal number of shorts and longs.
So we can see, there is an M Formation in the process.
The price has broken down and has broken below the Symmetrical Triangle. It is early days as the breach has been only a day, so we will need to see.
However, there are mixed signals all around.
7>21>200 - Bullish but turning
RSI<50 - Bearish by nature
Smart Money Concepts.
There are 2 Sell Side Liquidity Order Blocks.
Either Smart money could buy big time around its current price which will cause a fakeout and the price will go up.
OR Smart Money could skip this order block and buy into the next SSL OB at 67,000.
The bias is bearish as things stand, but do to the mixed signals - This is cautionary.
Stay strong and hedge!
JSE Top 40 Confirming a New Weekly LowBy closing above the weekly resistance trendline, the JSE Top40 has confirmed it is in a new weekly cycle which is upgrades our DXY trade idea from “Rest” to “Downtrend”. Looking at the daily time frame, the Top40 is nearing oversold levels and is likely to reach a daily cycle peak between day 41-50 to back test the broken trendline. Thereafter it is expected to break the supporting blue trendline into a cycle low.
At that point one can go long on any missed opportunities within the Top40. Look out for ideas to be shared for the best shares to pick with enough room for a healthy uptrend into 2023.
Are Markets Set for Turmoil?There is a famous adage that says history does not repeat but often it rhymes. Recent events have shown some cracks forming within the US financial system with the run on Silicon Valley Bank $SVB. Many quarters have been calling for bailout of the bank to prevent contagion in the market.
We are also entering the week of inflation announcement for the US economy, if the number shows inflation not changing or ebbing higher, we could have a perfect cocktail of fear inducing events, what with the FOMC meeting coming a week later. Jerome Powell might be forced to go for higher rates for longer guaranteeing more problems in the system.
Given the situation, one can prepare themselves psychologically for a panic situation where markets get into turmoil. Best to use the time before markets come alive to rehearse an action plan, the panic of 2020 caught me still learning, so the fear hit the roof. Now I am more calmer and I do scenario analysis on what to do and what to look out for. Analyzing the cycles of the markets helps me see the potential risks & opportunities.
We await opening of futures, remember, KEEP CALM & MAKE MONEY, YOU ONLY LOSE WHEN YOU SELL.
5 STUPID Trading Advice SayingsIt’s true.
When it comes to financial trading, everyone has an opinion, and there is no shortage of advice floating around.
However, some advice is just plain ridiculous and some tips can be downright detrimental to your trading success.
I want to cover the 5 stupid trading advice points, that many traders still follow and why you should avoid them by all means.
#1: Go Big or Go Home
This advice suggests that you should take significant risks in trading.
You should aim for massive gains.
And you should adopt the casino mentality of going full port!
It is true that higher risks can lead to higher rewards.
But when you adopt a “go big or go home” mentality, it can result in substantial losses that are difficult to recover from.
Instead, follow a disciplined approach to risk management, using appropriate position sizing and stop-loss orders to protect your capital.
Risk little to make a little more. Risk 2% to make 4%. Or risk 1% to make 3%. Those small gains will eventually outweigh the losses.
#2: The Next Trade Will Be Better
If you believe that the next trade will magically be more successful than the previous one, you’re in for a bad time.
This is nothing but a dangerous mindset to adapt to.
This belief can lead to overtrading and a lack of discipline when you stick to your trading strategy.
To avoid falling into this trap, focus on maintaining a consistent and well-defined trading plan, rather than trying to chase the elusive “better” trades.
#3: Follow Your Heart
Emotions are proven to be the trader’s worst enemy.
They will often cloud judgment and lead to impulsive decisions.
“Follow your heart” in trading and you’ll find you’ll ignore your strategy and you’ll take irrational risks.
Instead, rely on your trading plan, technical analysis, and fundamental research to make informed decisions, and always keep your emotions in check.
#4: Everything Happens for a Reason
When you depend on fate, the stars and the mysterious cosmic plan, it is a surefire way to lose money in trading.
The stock market doesn’t work on esoterical means. It works on simple demand, supply and volume.
The financial markets are also influenced by countless factors, from economic data releases to geopolitical events, and it’s essential to understand these factors to make well-informed trading decisions.
Don’t rely on fate or superstition when trading.
Instead, focus on analysis, strategy, and risk management.
#5: Work Harder and You’ll Win More
While hard work and dedication are essential for success in any field.
The belief that you need to work harder in a trading day, will guarantee more wins in trading is misguided.
If the environment is not conducive. Or trades have not aligned according to your strategy, it’s pointless taking more trades for gain.
Think of sideways markets.
Whether you buy (go long) or short (go short), you’re more likely to fail.
Trading is not just about putting in the hours; it’s about working smart, refining your strategy, and maintaining discipline.
Instead of trading harder, focus and develop a comprehensive trading plan, continually educate yourself on market dynamics, and consistently reviewing and refining your strategy.
And of course. JUST TAKE THE TRADE – When it lines up according to your strategy.
Can you think of anymore?
5 QUESTIONS Before you Take your TradeWith each trade you take…
There are these 5 standard questions you’ll need to ask an answer.
Jot these down and have them ready…
Do I Have a Trade Lined Up?
When you go through your watchlist.
You need to see any opportunities in the market that align with your trading strategy.
These should stick out like a sore thumb.
If it’s not, then it’s probably not a high probability trade.
It’s important to analyze the market trends and indicators to identify potential trades.
This will help you to make informed decisions and avoid taking unnecessary risks.
Do I Have a Trading Strategy?
Once you have identified a potential trade, it’s important to have a solid trading strategy in place.
Your strategy should outline the rules for entering and exiting trades, as well as risk management guidelines.
Follow your strategy and avoid making impulsive decisions based on emotions or market rumors.
Where Should I Place My Trading Levels?
You got the strategy so now you have to set up your trading levels.
(Entry, Stop loss, Ghost level, Take profit levels)
Are you using Order Blocks, key support and resistance levels, patterns, indicators or trend lines?
Whatever you use, keep consistent to determine where to place your trading levels.
This will help you to choose your trading levels based on the R:R for each trade.
How Much Am I Trading?
Trade size is crucial.
You need your calculator to work out your risk per trade.
This will help you to manage your risk effectively and avoid making emotional decisions.
Your risk management plan should outline the maximum amount you are willing to lose on any given trade, as well as the maximum percentage of your trading account you are willing to risk.
What Is My Exit Strategy?
exit strategy should outline the conditions under which you will exit a trade.
So you’ll know where to cut your small losses, ride your winners, lock in profits, or even adjust your take profit levels when the markets move well in your favour.
Also, make sure you stick to your exit strategy and avoid making emotional decisions based on market fluctuations.
THEN YOU’RE READY TO EXECUTE!
Once you have gone through the five questions…
It’s time to ask yourself whether you are truly ready to take the trade.
Focus your mind, clear the distractions, confirm everything is ready to go…
That takes emotional discipline.
You got the questions, now go start asking and answering them with your trading…
When you’ve taken a trade – Let It Go!One of the key principles of successful trading is…
Once you have taken the trade to just let it go and allow it to run its course.
The system lined up – tick.
The entry orders are all in place – tick.
It matches your risk and reward criteria – tick.
You know your trade size – tick.
Now let it go.
You may get the urge to interfere, change the levels and lock in profits early or limit losses even more.
You need to resist the urge.
Here are some factors to consider…
Don’t Interfere…
When you’ve taken a trade, it’s important to have a plan in place for how you will manage it.
This means you’ve got your entry, stop loss and take profit in place.
These actions may seem like a good idea at the time.
But they can often lead to bigger losses, smaller profits and even missed opportunities.
But then there are times where you need to adjust the course.
You might even have a time stop loss.
Or a strategic and mechanical criteria for when to adjust your levels.
But other than that, you need to have the discipline to stick to it and resist the temptation to interfere with your trades.
Don’t Get Excited When It’s in the Money
One of the most common mistakes that traders make is getting too excited when they’re in the money.
You might feel overconfident and “know-better” about a trade.
Or you might have this irrational decision-making idea to quickly move your stops and take profits, which can quickly erase any gains that you’ve made.
It’s essential to remain level-headed and stick to your plan, even when your trades are performing well.
To avoid getting too excited when you’re in the money, go back to your journal and look at how your trades have played in the past.
It’s important to have a clear idea of your risk tolerance and profit targets before you enter a trade.
This will stop you from making any quick and unnecessary decisions along the way.
Don’t Fear When It’s Going Against You
Another common mistake that traders make is letting fear dictate their decisions when a trade is going against them.
It’s natural to feel anxious when you’re losing money.
But it’s important to remember that losses are a normal part of trading. We all take them and we are all bound to take them more times than we wish to think.
To overcome the fear of losses, it’s important to focus on the long-term goals of your trading strategy.
One way to do this is to maintain a positive mindset and view losses as “costs of business” and as learning opportunities rather than failures.
Stay calm and level headed. Also stop risking so much that it interferes with your psychology.
When you feel emotional take a step back or it could lead to even bigger losses.
Don’t Watch Every Tick
Finally, it’s important to resist the urge to obsessively watch every tick of the market.
This can lead to overtrading and emotional decision-making.
And you’ll find it will quickly derail your trading strategy.
Instead, it’s important to focus on the big picture and have a long-term perspective on your trades.
Close your computer once you’ve taken a trade. Or close your trading platform and move onto something else.
You’ve done your job now stop watching every tick the market moves.
By doing so, you’ll be less likely to make rash decisions based on short-term fluctuations in the market.
I hope this helps and if there is one thing to remember out of them all.
When you’ve taken a trade, just let it go and let it run its course.
When to FEEL THRILL when Trading - It may surprise you!First let me tell you.
NO you should not feel thrill when you take a profit.
NO you should not feel thrill when you are on a winning streak.
NO you should not feel thrill after a day, week or month of upside.
But I’m not going to be a wet blanket. As a trader, including me, there are times to feel thrill.
Trading is a process, it’s a lifestyle, it’s a game, it’s your control of your financial future.
So let’s explore the times you should feel thrill.
#1: Analyse the markets
A major part of trading is assessing the current state of the markets and identifying potential opportunities.
This involves creating your strategy, finding the indicators that work best and identifying the different systems (chart patterns, trend lines, Smart Money Concepts) etc…
This process is super exciting part on the journey to becoming a trader.
#2: Optimise your strategies
Creating a strategy is one thing.
But optimising and maximising your system is an ongoing thing.
It’s crucial to continuously fine-tune your strategies and adapt to the ever-changing market conditions.
When you identify areas for improvement and make changes that lead to better performance, the thrill of knowing that you’re on the path to success can be awesome.
#3: Search for high probability trades
One of the keys to success in trading is finding high probability trades.
It’s these trades that will offer a favorable risk-reward ratio and a high chance of success (regardless whether they win or lose).
The hunt for these opportunities is always fun and it’s almost like going on a daily treasure hunt.
And spotting the highest probability trades, require a deep understanding of the markets and the ability to spot subtle patterns that others might miss.
When you uncover a high probability trade and execute it successfully, the feeling of accomplishment is also a great feel.
#4: Reading Fundamentals
Sure your strategy might not comprise of fundamentals or news.
But still learning about the markets, companies, indices and other micro and macro aspects, is interesting.
A solid grasp of fundamental analysis is essential for any serious trader.
This involves assessing the financial health of companies, industries, and economies to identify why markets move the way they do.
When you can successfully combine technical and fundamental analysis to make informed decisions, the thrill of knowing you have an edge in the market is undeniable.
#5: Monitor your results and stats
As a trading boss…
You need to track, analyse and assess your trading performance.
You don’t get more power and thrill as a trader, when you have control of your financial markets.
When you see your strategies paying off and your account balance growing, the thrill of your hard work and dedication materializing into tangible results is incredibly rewarding.
Conversely, it’s also thrilling when you analyse your losses where you can gain valuable learning experiences.
And this will help provide insights into areas for improvement and will motivate you to refine your approach.
#6: Find new markets to trade
Do you think I was looking at AI, VR, Metaverse type companies to trade 10 years ago?
Nope! These markets weren’t in fruition with trading as they are today.
So as a trader, this is always an exciting and thrilling venture with trading.
To explore, adapt and add on new markets into your watch list.
When you add and enter these new markets to your strategy, this can expose you to a whole new set of opportunities and challenges.
And this will help broaden your horizons and deepen your understanding of the financial markets.
So now you know when to embrace thrill as a trader.
Use them to fuel and propel you toward achieving your goals.
When else do you feel thrill?
Gym Well - Trade Well!When you gym well, it’s like trading well.
You gym to tone, to lose weight to build muscle and to build discipline.
With trading you trade to build your portfolio, build confidence, create a secured financial future and work on your mindset for life.
Both pursuits require consistent effort, perseverance, and a strategic approach.
Gym is an important element in my life and so I want to explore the similarities between trading and gymming, and how each can lead to success in their respective domains.
You Put in the Work Every Day: Gymming and Trading
Like a regular gym routine, successful trading requires dedication and consistency.
You can’t expect to see results overnight – you need to put in the work every day.
As a trader you must constantly educate yourself on market trends, stay informed about global events, and analyze past performance to make informed decisions.
Just as gym-goers must adhere to their workout schedules, traders should establish a daily routine that involves researching and analyzing the market.
You Pick Up the Portfolio (Weights) as You Make More Money
When you gym, you gradually increase the weights you’re lifting to build strength and endurance.
Similarly, as you become more experienced and successful in trading, you can gradually increase your investment portfolio.
As your confidence and financial gains grow, you may choose to diversify your portfolio and take on a variety of different assets to spread risk, lower risk, optimise and maximize your returns.
Don’t Overtrain – Don’t Overtrade
Overtraining at the gym can lead to injury and burnout.
And if you over trade in the market, it can result in financial losses and emotional exhaustion.
It’s essential to strike a balance between staying active and giving yourself time to rest and recover.
In trading, this might mean you:
Set your limits on the number of trades you make each day or week
Identify the goldilocks zone risk per trade
Know when to hault trading or lower risks during a drawdown period.
And most importantly.
Remember, trading is a marathon, not a sprint.
So pace yourself accordingly which is crucial to long-term success.
It’s a Forever Process (Takes Time)
Both gymming and trading are long-term commitments.
You won’t see immediate results in either pursuit.
It takes time and dedication to achieve your goals and to identify your trading risk and personality.
In the gym, you can expect to see gradual improvements in your strength, endurance, and overall fitness.
In trading, you’ll gain experience, knowledge, and a more refined strategy as time goes on.
So stay dedicated, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your goals.
Let me know if you gym and if it helps your trading :)
STOP Impulse Trading at once – 5 Actions to takeOne of the most dangerous traits a trader can adopt is…
Impulse Trading.
This is where they take trades mainly on emotions and gut rather than sound financial analysis.
This means, more risk, more irrational choices and that can lead to steering away from what works.
Your proven trading strategy!
And the end result, you’ll lose in the long term and end up with less confidence for your future endeavours as a trader.
So let’s come up with certain ways for you to STOP the impulse trading.
ACTION #1: Give it an hour
When you feel the urge to make a trade based on emotions, it can be helpful to step back and take a break.
One great way is to wait for an hour before you make any decisions.
Go get something to eat, grab a beer, go walk your crocodile or go do something other than trading.
Close your computer if you feel you’re about to impulse trade.
This break can help you regain a sense of perspective and avoid making impulsive decisions that you may later regret.
ACTION #2: Remember your long term goal
I always say…
Financial trading is a long-term game.
You need to have a clear and specific long-term goal in mind that guides your decisions.
When you feel the urge to make an impulsive trade, take a moment remember your trading record, journal and what works.
Also, remember it’s not about the one trade but the hundreds of trades later…
Ask yourself whether this trade aligns with your overall strategy or whether it’s just a momentary impulse.
This can help you stay focused and disciplined in your trading.
ACTION #3: Revisit your journal
Your journal is pretty much your game-plan.
It foretells of the most probable outcome when you follow it.
And it should include a record of all your trades, your thoughts and feelings at the time of the trade, and the results of the trade.
When you feel the urge to make an impulsive trade, take some time to revisit your journal.
Look at your past trades and the results they produced.
My favourite…
Go look at your drawdowns. Go look at your biggest drawdowns.
Then go see how you came out of the drawdowns and your portfolio headed to NEW all time highs.
There is no better feeling than that. Do this and I doubt you’ll want to take any impulse trades again.
ACTION #4: Read more trading psychology
Mind is everything with trading.
It’s a great way to develop your discipline and avoid impulse trading. Either go read trading books, articles, watch YouTubes or just save this article.
I can almost guarantee… If you read this article, when you feel like taking an impulse trade – You will stop that primitive way of thinking.
You’ll stop that inner conscience from trying to ruin your trading performance.
ACTION #5: Avoid Overtrading
If you find you take MANY trades at a time…
You’ll be more inclined of taking impulse trades, because you feel you need to take more.
Try and have a cap when it comes to the number of trades you hold.
I used to never hold more than 5 trades.
But over time, with adopting into new markets and evolved markets – that number gone up.
Now I make sure I never have more than 12 trades opened at any one time.
Remember to give yourself time to reflect, keep your long-term goals in mind, revisit your journal, and read more about trading psychology.
Let’s bring back the 5 actions to avoid taking any impulse trades.
ACTION #1: Give it an hour
ACTION #2: Remember your long term goal
ACTION #3: Revisit your journal
ACTION #4: Read more trading psychology
ACTION #5: Avoid Overtrading
Let me know if this was useful in the comments.
JSE ALSI 40 Symmetrical Triangle wait for break up to 81,637Symmetrical Triangle seems to be forming on the JSE ALSI 40.
This is where price constricts into a triangle that is not facing up or down.
We now need the price to break above the Apex, which will send the price higher.
The beauty about Symmetrical Triangles, is that they are generally continuation patterns to the prior trend.
With the up flag pole before the triangle confirmed, means we will expect a break up.
Price>200
RSI>50
Target 81,637
Don't listen to your inner NINNY! I can't swear on TV :(Traders have 1 JOB!.
To just take the trade.
All the other stuff is semantics.
But most times you’ll find your inner B I mean Ninny takes over.
And it tells you:
~ Don’t take the trade.
~ You’ll lose money.
~ The stars are not aligned!
~ Blah blah fish paste!
You need to stop listening to your inner F - inny, or it will destroy your chances of success.
So let’s talk about the 4 common excuses traders make and how to overcome them.
Excuse #1: I’m not in the mood
The markets are awake with or without you.
People are making money and doing things in this world.
Others are taking ice baths, cold showers, hitting the gym twice a day.
They are doing the hard. You need to stop the excuses of not in the mood, get off the couch and take action for your life.
You are in control of your life, what you do and what you make.
Do what you need to. Create a schedule that includes time for exercise, meditation, and of course trading.
Excuse #2: External news event kicked in
Financial markets are subject to external events that can impact trading decisions.
These events can include political developments, natural disasters, or major economic announcements.
The problem is. These events come daily. Every day there are new news announcements, GDP numbers, employment and jobs reports, Interest rates, inflation rates etc…If you’re not taking a trade because of one of these announcements, I’m sorry but.
That’s just an excuse!
If you must. Write down a few IMPORTANT news announcements that you want to watch for when you trade.
Maybe interest rates in America. Maybe NFP reports, Maybe during FOMC meetings.
But do the research and find out what news events are worthy to NOT take a trade.
I’ve been in the markets for 20 years and I haven’t found one worthy news announcement other than NFP for Forex trading.
Excuse #3: Market doesn’t feel right
To you it doesn’t feel right.
To you, you think the market is some sentimental machine that feels healthy or sick.
To me, I see prices, risks and probabilities.
I see a robot and mechanical processes with billions of dollars streaming in and out at any one second, the market is opened.
You need to develop an objective criteria for assessing market conditions. Have tunnel vision and stop trying to predict the temperature of the market.
It’s not human.
There is buying.
There is selling.
There is a repetition of that every day.
Market doesn’t feel right, is an excuse.
Excuse #4: System lined up but it’s not perfect
Ok so you have a system good.
You have a strict strategy to follow, great.
But the system lined up and it’s not perfect.
As I mentioned before. You need to write down the rules and criteria that you can use to identify opportunities and risks.
There are only three types of trades in this world.
HIGH probability trade – Market lined up perfectly according to the system.
MEDIUM probability trade – Market almost lined up perfectly but I will still take the trade and risk a little less.
NO trade – Market did NOT line up and therefore I’m not taking a trade.
So, are you going to continue to listen to your inner Busy Ninny or are you going to start making money the right way?
Trading Success Stoppers Part 2 Trading can be an excellent way to grow your wealth.
But as you may know by now, it’s not a straightforward path without obstacles.
In fact, several challenges can hinder traders from achieving success in the field.
Here are four more significant success stoppers that traders face in their trading efforts.
No Support from Anyone
Trading can be a lonely and isolating field.
Once you have the strategy, rules and mindset in place – it’s all on you.
Initially you may want strong support from a community of traders or confirmation ideas that you’re on the right path.
My situation is different. Because I have traded for the last 20 years, it did become very lonely and it felt like I had more to offer. With TradingView at least I have a community to talk to and help out where I can.
So you see, having a support system can make all the difference.
Without support, it can be challenging to stay motivated and focused on your goals. And in the end you’ll realise there is more to trading than just making money.
Solution: The key is to find a mentor or a community of traders who can support and guide you.
Join online trading forums or attending trading events can be an excellent way to connect with other traders and build a support system.
You can also consider hiring a coach or mentor to guide you and provide feedback on your trading strategies.
Success stopper #2: Laziness
Look! Trading requires discipline, focus, and hard work, and without these qualities, it can be difficult to achieve your goals.
Lazy traders are the worst.
They lack the motivation, drive, and discipline that’s necessary to research, analyse, journal and trade in order make informed decisions.
You also need to be able to get up off your ass and trade each week. Sure, you can take off a few days a week – that’s the beauty. But don’t let laziness stop you for more than a few days!
Solution: The key to overcoming laziness is to set clear goals and create a routine that supports your trading activities.
Set aside specific times each day or week to research the markets, analyze charts, and execute trades.
It can also be helpful to create a trading plan that outlines your goals and strategies, which can help keep you focused and motivated.
Success stopper #3: No Money to Trade
This is more of an excuse than a success stopper.
You know you can paper trade until you nail the trading game, until you can start putting in capital.
And when you do save money, you’ll be able to learn the real world of trading and understand the slippage, costs, liquidity, margin trading etc…
Solution: The key to overcoming this challenge is to start small and build your way up.
Consider opening a demo account to practice trading without risking real money.
You can also start by trading with a small amount of capital and gradually increase your investment as you become more comfortable and confident in your abilities.
Success stopper #4: No Skills and Talents
That’s what you think.
But I honestly believe I can take just about anyone with a bit of computer experience and show them how to make a consistent income trading the markets.
Trading requires a specific set of skills, such as market analysis, risk management, and technical analysis. And these skills CAN be taught.
Whether you’re a slow learner or a fast learner, you can learn the ways.
Solution: The key to overcoming this challenge is to invest in your education and development.
Take courses or attend seminars to learn the necessary skills and techniques for successful trading.
You can also consider working with a mentor or coach to help you improve your trading skills and develop your talents.
So what is stopping you from your trading success?
I can only think of 1 thing.
Go look at the mirror.
Trading Success Stoppers Part 1Trading as you know is a fantastic alternative to grow your wealth.
However, it is not without its challenges.
In fact, there are several success stoppers that traders face that can derail their trading efforts.
Let’s look at four of them.
STOPPER #1: Same Old Routine
One of the biggest success stoppers for a trader is falling into the same old routine.
It is easy to get into a rut and continue doing the same things day in and day out.
However, this can lead to a lack of progress and stagnant trading results.
Yes you need the same ‘ol strategy, risk management rules and criteria for a consistent track record.
But you also need to be open to try new things and adapting to changing market conditions.
You can do this by:
~ Backtesting and forward testing other strategies.
~ Adapting new markets into your trading
~ Identifying new market environments
~ Even improving your current indicators and chart layouts
Always looking out for better brokers, chart platforms and sources to help your trading
Improving your calculators and trading tools.
STOPPER #2: Self-Doubt
This can cripple a trader’s confidence and ability to make sound trading decisions.
It is natural to experience doubts and fears when trading.
But make sure you don’t let it take over and lead you to emotional decisions, doubting during drawdowns and missed trading opportunities because of how you feel rather than what the charts say.
To overcome this success stopper, you should focus on building your confidence and self-belief through trusting your proven track record.
You can do this by keeping a trading journal to track your successes and failure.
Also seek out the advice of a mentor or coach, and regularly review their trading plan to ensure they are on the right track – to help with your own confidence.
STOPPER #3: Procrastination
Procrastination is a common success stopper for traders.
It is easy to put off making trading decisions or taking action on a new trading strategy.
However, procrastination can lead to you never taking action which means:
No trades
No consistency
No growth
No results
To overcome this success stopper, traders should develop a sense of urgency and take action quickly.
Adapt the 1,2,3 JUST DO IT mentality as I mentioned in the previous video.
Break down larger tasks into bite sized and more manageable ones and set deadlines to complete on time.
STOPPER #4: No Big Idea
Finally, having no big idea or vision for their trading can be a major success stopper for traders.
You need to know your goals, strategy, risk profile and trading personality.
When you do this you will have the BIG idea on what you need to progress and thrive.
Stop these stoppers before they stop you from achieving trading greatness.
Tune in tomorrow for Part 2!
How to get your Trading DoneTrading is the easiest hardest way to become financially free.
You need to follow a simple approach and then have the discipline to do it again and again for the rest of your life.
It can at first be a daunting task because you have to implement an element of risk.
But before you know it, you’ll be free from your financial shackles and struggle.
Here are five tips to help you get your financial trading done efficiently and effectively.
Step #1: Always have your cheat sheet with you.
A cheat sheet is a list of rules that you have set for yourself when trading.
These rules are from how to spot trading signals, getting your trading setup ready, to implementing the maximum amount of money you’re willing to risk on a trade to the indicators you look for when deciding on a trade.
Always make sure you have your cheat sheet with you to have a clear set of rules to follow. This way you’ll avoid making impulsive decisions.
Step #2: Look for the right trading setups with high probability trades.
Before you enter a trade, it’s essential to look for the right trading setup.
A trading setup is a specific combination of conditions that must be met before you enter a trade.
For example, you may look for a bullish continuation or reversal price breakout strategy, combined with a moving average crossover and RSI divergence indicator.
Once you have identified the right trading setup, you can then look for high probability trades within that setup.
Step #3: Execute your trades or just take the trade.
Once you have identified a high probability trade, it’s time to execute the trade.
When executing a trade, it’s important to remember that the market can be unpredictable.
You may have done everything right and still end up losing money on a trade.
Therefore, it’s essential to take the trade, execute your plan, and move on to the next opportunity.
Step #4: Journal your trades
It’s essential to keep a record of all your trades, including the reasons why you entered and exited the trade.
This can help you identify patterns in your trading and make adjustments to your strategy as needed.
This way you can record, monitor and also identify areas where you can improve and re-evaluate your trading plan accordingly.
Step #5: Rinse and repeat the process.
Finally, once you have executed a trade, recorded it in your journal, and made any necessary adjustments to your trading plan, it’s time to rinse and repeat the process.
Trading is a continuous process.
There will always be new opportunities to explore and it’s ALWAYS the right time to start or continue.
If you follow the above steps, you’ll increase your chances of success and make the most of your trading endeavours.
5 TIF Trading Orders You need to KnowQ. What are the 5 common TIF (Time In Force) Trading Orders to know?
GTC: “Good Till Cancelled”
Where the order remains active until you manually cancel it.
FOK: “Fill or Kill”
This type of order requires immediate execution of the entire order quantity.
If the full amount is not executed, it is then cancelled.
GTD: “Good Till Date”
Where you can specify a specific date until which the order is valid.
MIT: “Market if Touched”
This order is triggered when the market price reaches a specified level (trigger price).
It then becomes a market order and is executed at the best available price.
LIT: “Limit if Touched”
If a Limit if Touched order is triggered when the market price reaches a chosen or trigger price.
GTC (Good Till Cancelled).
This way you’ll know that your position (order) will stay in the market until you cancel it manually.
What trading question do you have? Let me know in the comments.
Can you think of anymore?