The markets did a Kansas City shuffle on me this morning. It faked short, and took me out for scratch only for it to shoot long for +100 pips.
😡😈😡
And then the rest of the day made me stew at the missed long, that when the afternoon moves did arrive my focus, and concentration span was shot.
😡😈😡
I wish I had taken up fishing as a hobby, at least that way I'd have the patients to deal with days like today.
Have a good weekend all. I know I might.
😆
Morning John
Sounds like Friday's forex market really did play you up - but don't worry you would be just one of multi thousands of traders who's "mindset" was played with and as normal the "market " won the game.
We can all pretend that this is due to hundreds of thousands of forex traders all around the world buying and selling against each other - and at certain times the "bulls" wins , other times the "bears" and for most of the time "stalemate" - like a "tug of war" match - with both sides trying hard - but not really getting anywhere.
In reality - its nothing like this - its a psychological battle in a jungle comprising of a few Elephants, Lions, Deers and a massive number of fleas and ants.
Yes you have guessed it - we are the flees and the ants ( Deers are all newbies ;-) )
To win in this game -its no good just being good at reading TA and understanding Fundamentals - you need to understand all the tricks and games that will be used to mentally torture any trader who is trading from a real live money account.
For example - in normal life - most people are fairly good at playing mind games - ie If the wife says - "Does my bum look big in this dress?" what are you going to say ?
If you have any sense or diplomacy - you lie and say " no - not at all you" - "you look sexy" etc etc - you play the game ;-)
Similar if you have just had a big argument with the girlfriend / wife etc - you don't say - "Am i the best lover you have ever had ?" - because you will know the answer before she even opens her mouth ;-)
So back to trading - we are just "ants being mentally tortured.
Now you know that - to survive - and even make some money - you have to play the mind games with the market yourself - you will not win - but at least it might not torture you so much ;-)
First part - learn to lose - and not bother - so important - we know we will lose - accept it - get used to it and then work on it to your advantage.
If you keep losing say £10 - but keep winning - £12 or £18 more than you lose - then your mind will accept that. What your mind will not accept is losing £10 - but only winning £4 or £8 - and not that often - that will always play you up.
Second part - learn to not get wound up - extremely difficult - but just "don't give a toss" - ie let it all go over your head - chill - relax - do what ever you need to do to find your inner peace
( But don't shoot the wife / partner / next door neighbour / bank manager or old boss )
Third Part - Split your trading day into sections - mine are all 30 mins - so if I do say 6 hrs and 12 sections - it could be looked upon as 12 days of trading in one day. If its in 1 hr or 2 hr sections - thats fine - but then after each section - whether you won or lost in that section - wipe it from your immediate mind - ie like driving down the road for 2 miles - can you remember all what you saw afterwards - no - treat trade outcome like that - review them another time - ie at the end of the day or week or whenever
You will get to know over time - which sections to ignore - as the Elephants and Lions are about to have you - and then other sections - when they will leave you alone - as they are too busy eating ( making money )
Conclusion
Forget fishing - just learn the "gameplay " hobby - read the "Art of War" - get you mindset in the right zones - and remember you are dealing with a Market that will play every trick in the book - to try and have your money
I am sure John - you already know all this. We all can change - if we want to - but if we don't - then the market as won again and life just goes on - and then we just get annoyed with ourselves.
Don't get annoyed with yourself - next week you will do well - just remember that ;-))
Regards
F