The #1 concept that ALL traders must continuously work on.
I was inspired to write this based on my own experience with trading as well as talking to both new and old traders and helping each other get out of trading ruts.
Trading is one of those things that often you know what you should do, and yet you still do the opposite of. It is a constant battle to follow your own rules in order for your system to work. Things are amazing when you are following your rules, and usually ish is hitting the fan when you choose not to.
So what is the #1 concept ALL traders must be working on? Patience.
If you follow along on my journey, this is probably not surprising that I am writing this. I often say it and tell myself during my sessions, literally out loud, to be patient.
When I am being patient, I take setups that I know work. If I donโt see setups to take, I am still in the game because I have not taken stupid trades I shouldnโt have taken which result in me having to call it an early day.
This has been first hand experience for me recently. I have failed to be patient and instead, rushed trades and paid to learn I was rushing trades. Cost of business as Pax says.
So why is it so hard to be patient even when you know the outcome is better while you are being patient?
I think as traders we want to get in/get out, make a ton of money, and when markets are going crazy we want to be on the right sides of all the moves.
This all breeds fomo and no patience.
Today I literally forced myself to sit and watch for over an hour after the open. This is an exercise I do when I take a step back and realize that my poor trading is usually dictated by a lack of patience.
In doing this, I am able to see the market more objectively. I am able to action off of A+ setups instead of just trying to get in and out for the day.
I highly encourage you to force yourself to sit and watch.
Patience is like a muscle group. If you want to increase your muscles, you must practice and workout.
Patience is no different. You donโt just magically become patient. You must practice it intentionally.
If you are in a rut and have a strategy that you know works but are having a hard time executing, I want to encourage you to tell yourself out loud while at your desk to be patient. Do this several days in a row and see if it helps you.
I personally believe this is one of the biggest skills that separate long term success vs not.
If you are looking for some accountability in being patient, I livestream my morning trading sessions on youtube at my channel, Trades by Matt, for free at market open every day. Come hangout and be patient with us.
We are Bullish on dollar. Why?
The total fed balance sheet decreased by $27.6 Billion!
This means the fed are letting securities to mature and not reinvesting. This is part of the quantitative tightening process
Trading is 90% psychology.
Youโre not fighting the market. Youโre fighting your own fear, greed, ego and capacity for self deception.
Discipline is the ultimate weapon In battling yourself.