Trader Psychology

Trade Journal Template + Video - The Power of Daily Trade Journaling

In this article, we'll delve into the benefits of trade journaling, the key components of a trade journal, and how you can implement it effectively in your trading routine. Plus, if you want a built-for-you template, there is one that can be downloaded as well.

The Trading Journey: Managing Expectations

Many developing traders approach the markets with the belief that their energy should be immediately rewarded with substantial profits. This belief is amplified in today’s day and age, with many skilled traders sharing their profit screenshots via social media. However, this mentality is flawed and can lead to frustration, impulsive decisions, and ultimately, setbacks in their trading journey.

Trading Is a "Regret Business" - Here Is How To Build Resilience

Regret is a common emotion in trading, often triggered by the realization of a wrong decision, such as selling too early and missing out on potential gains. This feeling can be particularly intense when traders associate their self-worth and identity with their trading success. When a trade doesn't go as planned, it can feel like a personal failure, leading to heightened emotional responses.

Fearless Trading: How to Confront and Conquer Your Trading Fears

One of the biggest challenges that traders face is the fear of failure and the unknown.

To overcome these fears and increase their chances of success, traders must adopt a proactive approach and develop strategies to face their fears head-on. Here are some actionable tips to help you navigate these challenges.

The Importance of Keeping a Trading Journal for Day Traders

If you want to be successful with day trading, you must understand that it demands a disciplined approach and a commitment to continuous improvement. Through working with traders in a 1-on-1 capacity, I have found that the trading journal is a tool that is often overlooked. Sadly, many developing traders do not understand the value that can be found in simply reviewing their own trades and trading behavior.

10 Ways to Stay More Disciplined In Trading

Most developing traders struggle with discipline. They are usually missing something critical. Here are 10 tips on how to stay more disciplined when trading.

Normalization of Deviance in Day Trading

If you have been trading for any length of time, you know that sometimes you can get paid for breaking your rules - and this is one of the worst things that can happen to a developing trader.

Navigating Decision Fatigue in Day Trading: Strategies to Avoid Over-Trading

Decision fatigue in day trading manifests as a cognitive shortcut that prompts irrational trade-offs in trading decisions. The continuous stream of choices faced by day traders can overwhelm their cognitive abilities, making each subsequent decision more challenging. This article explores the implications of decision fatigue in day trading and provides actionable strategies to help traders navigate this challenge and optimize their trading performance.

Why Every Trader Needs a Trade Plan

Interestingly, despite having learned various skills throughout their lives, novice traders often fall into the trap of impulsive trading. They neglect careful planning and fail to adhere to a well-defined trading plan, which is a crucial component for long-term profitability and success in the markets.

Why You Can't Sell That Losing Trade

Have you ever been in a losing trade as it approaches your stop and thought… “Let me just see if price bounces at the next level”? If so, you aren’t alone. This a common phenomenon that all traders experience during their early development stages. So, what is it exactly?

Prioritizing Process Over Profits for Long-Term Trading Success

Most brand new traders are initially drawn to day trading by the allure of profits and the lifestyle that can come with it. Yet, the irony lies in fixating too much on these external rewards. Similar to an athlete cracking under pressure, excessive focus on the profits often leads to a myriad of mistakes.

A Pragmatic Morning Trading Checklist for Success

Whether you're a seasoned trader or just stepping into the arena of day trading, a morning checklist can be your guiding light. This guide will walk you through essential elements to consider each morning, from crafting a solid trading plan to maintaining focus and adapting to market dynamics. Embrace these principles on a daily basis, and you'll be better equipped to navigate the trading day.

Trading Mindset: Action Oriented to Win

Trading for a living (or even for side income) is no walk in the park—it's a formidable challenge where the odds are stacked against you. Success isn't guaranteed, and the journey is filled with obstacles. However, succumbing to hopelessness is not an option if you aspire to become a winning trader.

How Much Do You Need To Start Trading?

The crucial inquiry should address not just the trading account but also the bank account: How much money is needed?

This question transcends the rudimentary aspects of starting trades. Answering it demands a personal reflection that surpasses the mere calculation of funds for a trading account.

Overcoming the Need to Be Right in Trading

New traders frequently struggle with the compulsion to be right. This need is often rooted in ego, and it can plague a developing trader and lengthen the learning curve substantially. The desire to be right is so potent that it drives them to engage in counterproductive trading behaviors as they strive to avoid admitting their mistakes.

The Power of Emotions in Trading: Understanding Regret and Risk

The interplay between emotions and risk-taking keeps many traders second-guessing their choices. When confidence in a trade's success runs high, execution is swift, but uncertainty can lead to hesitation, causing traders to miss out on profitable market moves.

How To Reduce FOMO as A Trader

The fear of missing out (FOMO) is an emotion that often haunts traders, casting a shadow on their progress and overall equity curve. Unrestricted FOMO can cause traders to chase trades, oversize, and revenge trade - All of which do serious damage to trading portfolios. In this article, we present seven concise steps to help you seamlessly transition from the anxiety of FOMO to the joyful state of missing out (JOMO).

Elevate Your Trading with a Weekly Performance Review

If you have been in the trading world for a few years or longer, you know that consistent improvement is the key to success. To achieve this, traders rely on a powerful, but incredibly simple tool: Trade Review. An important component of this is the Weekly Performance Review. This structured process is designed to evaluate your trading activities, pinpoint strengths, address weaknesses, and pave the way for better decision-making.

15 Essential Trading Tips to Become Profitable

By understanding and applying these 15 trading principles, you can enhance your trading skills and increase your chances of becoming a profitable trader, regardless of what instrument you choose to trade.

3 Pillars of Trading Success

Trading is a journey of mastery, viewed through the multifaceted prism of three overlapping lenses. These lenses are the Technical Lens, the Performance Lens, and the Self Lens. To achieve true mastery in trading, one must skillfully balance and synchronize these three lenses. Let's delve into each of them.