All posts by T3 Live
7 Ways to Be Just Another Failed Trader
Do you want to fail as a trader? Do you want to miss your next mortgage payment? Or pull your daughter out of private school because you can’t make tuition next month? Well you’re in luck! Because we’ve got 7 surefire tips for failing as a trader! Just kidding… sort of. We’ve worked with thousands of traders over the years. The best of them ended up with 6 or even 7-figure incomes. But many flamed out. They end up holding bad trades too long or doubling down on losers. Even worse — we’ve seen traders that spent more time on Twitter and Instagram than on their trading platforms! 9 times out of 10, it’s easy to spot a failing trader. So we’re laying out 7 habits of unsuccessful traders so you can avoid them. How many of these apply to you? 7. Don’t Develop a Daily Routine Successful people don’t have time to figure out what to do next. That’s why they use routines and checklists. Why? Because if you’re asking yourself “what should I do now?,” you are wasting time and energy. If you have a daily trading routine, you’ll accomplish all your key tasks in less time, which will actually frees you up to be more flexible and creative. 6. Don’t Learn New Things Dinosaurs go extinct. And so do traders that refuse to learn and adapt. Chasing novelties can be very dangerous. But if you want to succeed, you must keep yourself up to date. Always strive to understand what’s working in the market right now. And explore new tactics that may work with your current strategy. You don’t want to wake up one day and discover that everything you know is useless. 5. Don’t Analyze Your Results A wise man once said “you can’t manage what you don’t measure.” Traders have bad memories. So it’s important to carefully go through examine your trading results to see exactly what you’re doing right, and what you’re doing wrong. Maybe you think you’re great at trading Tesla (TSLA)… but does a detailed P&L back you up? And who knows? You may find out that you have some strengths you didn’t know about. You may just be a dynamite gold trader, or a genius on the short side. Just let the numbers do the talking. 4. Don’t Talk to Other Traders The biggest myth on Wall Street is that great traders are lone wolves, getting rich on instinct and talent alone. In reality, most profitable traders join a pack. Because there is power in numbers. You may have 3 good trading ideas. But if you’ve got a buddy with 3 more ideas, you’re up to 6. Add a 3rd friend and you’ve got 9. And it’s not just trade ideas. We’re talking trading techniques, news flow, and support when things get tough. 3. Don’t Do Your Own Homework Newsletter, trading rooms, and trade idea generation services can be tremendously valuable. But you must also do your own homework. For example, if you see a stock make a big move, study it and create your own case study. Or, go back to a major historical event like the 1987 market crash or the 2008-2009 financial crisis and study the price action. You can obviously learn a lot from other people’s summaries and explanations. But if you want to build a truly valuable knowledge base, roll up your sleeves, and do the work yourself. You’ll be shocked at how much you learn. 2. Don’t Learn an Actual Strategy Individual tactics are great. And you can learn thousands of them for free. But if you want to actually create wealth through trading, you need a complete strategy. There are 2 major problems problem with just learning random tactics. First, it’s hard to know who to trust. And second, it’s hard to know which tactics work together. So instead of focusing on bright shiny objects, learn a real trading strategy that includes technical analysis, entry/exit parameters, and risk management. And THEN start exploring additional tactics that may work with your evolving trading style. 1. Don’t Pay the Price for Success You may lose money and waste time in learning to trade. That’s the price of success, and you have to pay it. If you start your trading adventure with a legitimate strategy with specific risk-reward parameters, you can keep a lid on your losses. However, you must be willing to put in the time. If you haven’t paid that particular price yet… it’s time to ask yourself why. Ready to take your trading seriously? Check out: Trading the Pristine Method Home Study Program Sami Abusaad’s 5-Day Elite Private Mentorship Program
Continue Reading -->Trader’s Digest: The 10 Stories We’re Reading Right Now
Wonder what traders are talking about today? We’re here with the top 10 stories we’re sharing with colleagues today, covering topics like:Why the Fed just joined the masses of traders worried about the low VIXGoldman’s big bad bear case on hot momentum stocks Tesla (TSLA)What you can do to start your day like a winnerAnd more! So check out these links right now and get up to speed: 1) Now Fed Officials Are Starting to Wonder If the VIX Is Too Low (Bloomberg) Wondering why three Federal Reserve officials were moved last week to make public pronouncements about rising asset prices? Evidently, it’s the potential for “buildup of risk to financial stability.” Read the Story ==> 2) Goldman predicts Tesla shares will get cut in half on ‘plateauing’ Model S sales (CNBC) While some investors may be optimistic on Tesla’s Model 3 production plans, Goldman Sachs is concerned over slowing sales growth of the company’s current electric cars. Read the Story ==> 3) Why You Need a Trading Checklist (T3 Live) Checklists keep planes in the air. Checklists keep nuclear power plants operating safely. And checklists can keep traders like you avoid simple errors that can cost you money. Continued Reading ==> 4) Cryptocurrencies: Coming To A Quote Screen Near You (Forbes) When Amazon announced last week that it will acquire Whole Foods Market… you could almost hear the three-year plans of every grocer, and nearly every other traditional retailer, grinding through the shredding machines. Continued Reading ==> 5) Milton Friedman: Why Economists Disagree (Economically Speaking via YouTube) In this video, free market proponent Milton Friedman sits down for an in-depth discussion with fellow economist Walter Heller. 6) 5 Sentiment Indicators You Need to Know About (T3 Live)Permabulls always say everyone’s bearish. And permabears always say everyone’s bullish. Most of the time, neither actually gives evidence for their views. Continue Reading ==> 7) Nvidia and Baidu team on AI across cloud, self-driving, academia and the home (TechCrunch) Baidu and Nvidia announced a far-reaching agreement to work together on artificial intelligence today, spanning applications in cloud computing, autonomous driving, education and research, and domestic uses via consumer devices. Continue Reading ==> 8) Apple News is a sleeping giant — and Apple might be about to wake it up (Business Insider) Apple released a news-aggregator app called Apple News in 2015, and nearly two years later, it may be gaining substantial traction. Continue Reading ==> 9) Poor Sleep Tied to Increased Alzheimer’s Risk (NY Times) Poor sleep may be an indication of increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease, a new study of older people suggests. Sleep problems and daytime sleepiness were associated with increased spinal fluid indicators of Alzheimer’s disease. Continue Reading ==> 10) How to Solve the “I Wake Up With No Motivation” Problem (Thomas Frank) Need help getting started in the morning? Check out this video from blogger and education expert Thomas Frank, and get some helpful tips on starting your day off on the right foot:
Continue Reading -->Sami Abusaad: Trading Tips You’ve Never Heard Before
In this special extended webinar, T3 Live’s Sami Abusaad breaks down his latest trading tips and techniques for a select group of former students. Watch this video and learn:Why you find trading difficult, and why it’s NOT your faultHow to escape over-attachment to money, which can cause big lossesTips for avoiding failed breakouts (which is most of them…)Why charts alone can’t solve your problemsWhich goals you should NOT have as a traderUnderstand how fear and hope can cause you major problemsWhen you need to accept the risk of a trade (timing is vital)How to maintain an objective state of mind when tradingThe connection between your attitude and your P&LSami’s #1 micro trading tacticHave a question about Sami’s education programs? Call 1-888-998-3548 or email us at info@t3live.com Learn About Sami’s NYC Mentorship Program
Continue Reading -->Trader’s Digest: The 10 Stories We’re Reading Right Now
Wonder what traders are talking about today? We’re here with the top 10 stories we’re sharing with colleagues today, covering topics like:Why we’re seeing the biggest oil slide in 20 yearsReasons not to fear the low volatility marketHow Amazon + Whole Foods changed the retail game… againAnd more! So check out these links right now and get up to speed: 1) Oil drops to 10-month low; biggest first-half slide in 20 years (Reuters) Oil prices fell about 3 percent to a 10-month low in heavy trading on Wednesday, as nagging fears about the global crude glut fed a sell-off that was interrupted only briefly after news of a larger-than-expected drop in U.S. inventories. Read the Story ==> 2) Not being invested in a low volatility market ‘can be costly,’ Goldman Sachs says (CNBC) The low volatility that’s frustrated traders gives longer-term investors all the more reason to buy stocks, Goldman Sachs portfolio strategists say. Read the Story ==> 3) Are Traders More Bearish Today Than in 2007? (T3 Live) It’s trendy to say that everyone’s bullish. But the evidence shows that many investors don’t trust the market. Continued Reading ==> 4) The Amazon–Whole Foods Deal Means Every Other Retailer’s Three-Year Plan Is Obsolete (Harvard Business Review) When Amazon announced last week that it will acquire Whole Foods Market… you could almost hear the three-year plans of every grocer, and nearly every other traditional retailer, grinding through the shredding machines. Continued Reading ==> 5) In Saudi Shakeup, Economics Tops Counterterrorism (Bloomberg) The latest big news out of the Middle East is that Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has ousted the crown prince and installed his 31-year-old son, Mohammed bin Salman, in that position. Continue Reading ==> 6) The 7 Deadly Sins of Trading, and How You Can Cure Them (T3 Live) A little greed goes a long way. But greed can also eat you alive… even if you have all the money in the world. Continue Reading ==> 7) Nvidia is getting a huge boost from a red-hot cryptocurrency (NVDA) (Markets Insider) Graphic processing units are used to power games, but that’s not what is driving Nvidia’s stock skyward right now. Cryptocurrency mining is one of the biggest drivers to the GPU maker’s shares in recent weeks. Continue Reading ==> 8) Uber’s toxic culture risks its driverless future, too (Engadget) So Uber’s blowhard-in-chief Travis Kalanick is finally out, out as CEO — after some of its most prominent investors put the squeeze on him to go (not just take a time out). Continue Reading ==> 9) With Health Law in Flux, Insurers Scramble to Meet Filing Deadline (NY Times) There’s a potential new major player in the autonomous vehicle industry, and its a seasoned player in the automotive market. Veteran car maker General Motors (GM) announced Tuesday that it’s completed 10 self-driving test vehicles of its Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle (EV). Continue Reading ==> 10) What Discipline Really Means (Jocko Willink) Former Navy SEAL commander Jocko Willink, recipient of the Silver Star and Bronze Star for his service in the Iraq War, has some great advice for you on discipline:
Continue Reading -->Trader’s Digest: The 10 Stories We’re Reading Right Now
Wonder what traders are talking about today? We’re here with the top 10 stories we’re sharing with colleagues today, covering topics like:What exactly happened with the Fed todayWhat Morgan Stanley just said about Bitcoin7 things you need to know before you short a stockAnd more! So check out these links right now and get up to speed: 1) Fed raises rates, unveils cuts to bond holdings in sign of confidence (Reuters) The Federal Reserve raised interest rates on Wednesday for the second time in three months, citing continued U.S. economic growth and job market strength, and announced it would begin cutting its holdings of bonds and other securities this year. Read the Story ==> 2) Dutch Speed-Trader Turns to Currencies After Conquering ETFs (Bloomberg) The 110 traders here, along with 30 colleagues in offices elsewhere, traded €640 billion ($719 billion) in ETFs last year and at least that much in futures, commodities, bonds, stocks, and foreign exchange. Read the Story ==> 3) 7 Things You Should Know Before You Short a Stock (T3 Live) The stock market is the greatest wealth creation machine ever created. But every so often, you’re going to be tempted to bet against the market, or a particular stock or ETF. Continued Reading ==> 4) Regulation Is Only Hope For Bitcoin: Morgan Stanley (The Cointelegraph) In a move that’s certain to irk lovers of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, Morgan Stanley came out with a statement on Tuesday calling for greater governmental control and regulation. Continued Reading ==> 5) Gangsters, Grandmothers and Gold: Japan’s New Crime Wave (NY Times) Sometimes the perpetrators are gangsters. Sometimes they are rather less accustomed to the criminal life. In one case, the ringleader of a middle-aged, female crime ring was said to be a 66-year-old woman. Continue Reading ==> 6) Vintage Wall Street: The Paul Tudor Jones Documentary ‘Trader’ (T3 Live) Paul Tudor Jones, founder of Tudor Investment Corporation, is one of the greatest traders of all time. In the 1987 documentary Trader, PBS takes us inside Jones’ world of high-stakes, practically 24/7 trading. Continue Reading ==> 7) Oil drops to 7-month low, roiled by bearish U.S. inventory report (MarketWatch) Oil prices dropped to their lowest settlement in seven months Wednesday, after U.S. government data showed a smaller-than-expected weekly decline in domestic supplies and an increase in gasoline stockpiles and crude production. Continue Reading ==> 8) Virtual Reality’s Missing Element: Other People (MIT Technology Review) Although it looks as if it must feel isolating to strap on a headset that shuts out the world around you, it could be great for socializing. Continue Reading ==> 9) General Motors Just Became the First Car Manufacturer to Mass Produce Autonomous Cars (Futurism) There’s a potential new major player in the autonomous vehicle industry, and its a seasoned player in the automotive market. Veteran car maker General Motors (GM) announced Tuesday that it’s completed 10 self-driving test vehicles of its Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle (EV). Continue Reading ==> 10) Prove Everyone Wrong (YouTube) The bigger your dream is, the earlier you’ll have to get up. Watch this video and get motivated for success! Watch the Video ==>
Continue Reading -->7 Things You Should Know Before You Short a Stock
“As a very successful investor once said: “The bearish argument always sounds more intelligent.” -Peter Lynch, One up on Wall Street The stock market is the greatest wealth creation machine ever created. But every so often, you’re going to be tempted to bet against the market, or a particular stock or ETF. Maybe you see a technical pattern you don’t like. Maybe you see an economic downturn coming. Or maybe you think you’ve spotted an outright scam. But shorting is not as simple as you think. Shorting requires an intimate understanding of market mechanics, and the harsh reality that stocks sometimes go up for no good reason. So let’s go through 7 things you absolutely need to know before shorting a stock or ETF. 1) Understand What Shorting Really Is Shorting stock isn’t quite as simple as buying it. Shorting requires borrowing shares from another investor. Your brokerage firm facilitates this process for you. Then, you sell those shares in the hope that they’ll fall in price. If it drops, you’ll buy the shares back (which is called ‘covering’ a short), capturing a profit. For example, if you sell Amazon.com (AMZN) at $1000 and buy it back at $950, you’ve earned a profit of $50 per share. 2) You Can’t Short Everything You Want Not every stock is available to be shorted because it can’t be borrowed. Typically, when a stock is widely disliked or is facing a scandal, it will be so heavily shorted that your broker simply won’t be able to locate shares for you to short. Every brokerage platform has some mechanism for indicating that a stock is hard to borrow, or not available to borrow at all. For examples, as of June 12, 2017, shares of the troubled radio company Cumulus Media (CMLS) can’t be borrowed. With the company rumored to be on the brink of collapse, it’s already attracted plenty of shorts. So there are no shares left for new potential shorts to borrow. 3) Know Your Expenses and Margin Requirements If you want to short stocks, you are required to have a margin account. And you must have enough capital in your account to back up your short positions. For example, if you want to short $10,000 worth of stock, you may be required to have $5,000 of cash in your account. Plus, shorting isn’t free. To short a stock, you have to pay your broker a “stock loan fee.” And the more volatile a stock is, and the more difficult the shares are to borrow, the higher that fee is. Check with your broker for exact terms. 4) Realize That the Interesting Bear Argument Always Sounds Better Most investors want the stock market to go up. But many traders are attracted to contrarianism, and the often-sexy arguments of bears. For example, for years many bears have used obscure financial metrics like the Schiller PE (CAPE) Ratio, market cap to GDP ratio, and NYSE Short Interest to imply that the SPX is overvalued. These arguments always sound a lot more clever than the typical bull rationale, which revolves around plain old earnings and economic growth. And yet, the market’s done nothing but gone up: So think twice before buying into doomsday scenarios, no matter how attractive they sound. 5) Don’t Short Momentum Stocks on Valuation Never short a stock simply because it’s trading at 50 times earnings. You know why? Because it might be worth 60 or 70 times earnings a week from now. Momentum stocks have a tendency to go way farther than may seem reasonable, especially if they are reporting strong earnings. We suggest watching Scott Redler’s recent video lesson Facebook (FB) so you can see how a stock with consistently strong earnings can destroy the bears: And look at momenutm favortie Salesforce.com (CRM). It’s regularly been called overvalued throughout this bull market: Now look at this chart: The bears — as smart as they may be — have been wrong. Why? Because traders love to buy momentum stocks with strong earnings. 6) Your Timing Must Be Impeccable If you want to short a hot stock or the market as a whole, you need great timing. Being right doesn’t matter if you’re not right at the wrong time. For example, many experts correctly called the housing bubble and subsequent collapse of the financial system very early. We’re talking 2004 or 2005. But bank stocks didn’t peak until December 2006. And in the last 5 years, how many times have you heard that there’s a bond bubble?: The bond bubble people may be right… but the TLT chart hasn’t really broken yet, has it?: 7) You Are Betting Against Gravity The S&P 500 has returned an average of 11.4% since 1928, according to NYU Professor Aswath Damodaran. And when it’s rising, even the worst stocks can go up. So you are betting against the market’s reverse gravitational pull towards the sky. We’re not saying you can’t make money shorting. Just be careful!
Continue Reading -->Trader’s Digest: The 10 Stories We’re Reading Right Now
Wonder what traders are talking about today? We’re here with the top 10 stories we’re sharing with colleagues today, covering topics like:Why traders are betting big on the QQQ ETFTuesday’s mega-rally in gold, which could be a sign of things to comeThe mysterious world of bitcoin and other cryptocurrenciesAnd more! So check out these links right now and get up to speed: 1) ETF Buyers Have a New Go-To Fund for Chasing the Tech Rally (Bloomberg) After a stellar run in tech stocks this year, some ETF investors are cashing in their chips. Others are trying their luck with a new hand. Read the Story ==> 2) Jeff Cooper: Why the Gold Explosion May Boom Bigger (T3 Live) The precious metals miners were the big story on Tuesday. And I think it’s the beginning of a bigger move. Read the Story ==> 3) Santander Rescues Troubled Rival in Test of Europe’s New Rules (NY Times) After the global financial crisis, Europe built a system designed to contain the collateral damage from failing banks. That new system appeared to pass its first test on Wednesday, as authorities efficiently dispatched a troubled Spanish lender. Continued Reading ==> 4) The Quiet Master of Cryptocurrency — Nick Szabo (The Tim Ferris Show) Nick Szabo is a polymath. The breadth and depth of his interests and knowledge are truly astounding. He’s a computer scientist, legal scholar, and cryptographer best known for his pioneering research in digital contracts and cryptocurrency. Continued Reading ==> 5) Tesla gives a shadowy tease of the Model Y crossover SUV (Engadget) It’ll take a few more years before Tesla officially launches the Model Y, but we now kinda, sorta know what it could look like. Continue Reading ==> 6) SEC Takes More Time to Mull Chicago Stock Exchange’s China Deal (NY Times) The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission will take up to another 60 days to decide whether to allow the sale of the Chicago Stock Exchange to a group of investors led by China-based Chongqing Casin Enterprise Group. Continue Reading ==> 7) Rob Smith: Why Does VXX Always Go Down? If you’re in the market these days, you know that everyone’s talking about the incredibly weak VIX. And while the VIX remains near all-time lows, interest in trading the VIX ETN’s (exchange traded notes) — especially VXX, UVXY, and TVIX — is at an all-time high! Continue Reading ==> 8) Theresa May’s Incredible Shrinking Poll Numbers (The Atlantic) As early as January, the Economist had dubbed her “Theresa Maybe” for her lack of any clear strategy on Brexit and habit for backing off key promises, not least the election itself. But this was more than just a nickname now. Her ineptitude had become the main event. Continue Reading ==> 9) James Comey testifies before Congress: 5 things to watch (CBS News) James Comey is set to testify publicly before Congress for the first time on Thursday since President Trump fired him as FBI director last month. Comey’s appearance has been highly anticipated as countless bombshells involving the lead-up to and aftermath of his termination have leaked in the news media over the last month. Continue Reading ==> 10) Retailers might turn parking lot dead space into biz opportunity (NY Post) Faced with shrinking sales, mall operators, big box stores — like Target, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Macy’s and JCPenney — and other anchor tenants have started to reimagine their acres of unused parking lots as redevelopment opportunities that could create new revenue streams, The Post has learned. Continue Reading ==>
Continue Reading -->What You Don’t Know About Prop Trading… but Should
In this special extended webinar, Amber Capra breaks down everything you need to know about the exciting world of prop trading: Amber covers the world of prop trading from A to Z, including:How to determine whether prop trading is right for youWhy you need training, community, and ongoing coaching to succeedHow you can qualify for 100% tuition reimbursement in our prop programThe different licensing requirements for US and non-US tradersDetails about different trading platforms, including Fusion and LightspeedHow profit splits workHow much capital you need to get started as a prop traderRisk management techniquesWhy you need a ‘Forced Discipline’ risk management programWhether or not you can prop trade on a part-time basisTips for avoiding pitfalls that can hurt your trading careerHave a question about prop trading? Call 1-888-998-3548 or email us at info@t3live.com Learn About Our Omega Prop Program
Continue Reading -->Why You Need a Trading Checklist
Checklists can save your life. Literally. Anesthesiologist Peter Provonost studied how 100 Michigan hospitals inserted central lines (also known as intravenous tubing) into patients’ chests. . Central lines deliver lifesaving medications, and proper installation is critical for avoiding life-threatening infections. 30% of the time, surgical teams skipped 1 of 5 essential steps in the process. But by using a simple checklist, the infection went from 4% to zero, saving 1,500 lives and nearly $200 million. That’s not all. Checklists keep planes in the air. Checklists keep nuclear power plants operating safely. And checklists can keep traders like you avoid simple errors that can cost you money. Here’s a simple checklist you can use to avoid errors when they’re most likely — the order entry process. Before we get to the checklist, make sure your trading platform is set up in a way that works for you. For example, many trading platforms let you set defaults for trade parameters including share size. You can also often set little things like how your mouse interacts with the platform. Depending on your settings, you could even place orders with a single mouse click. And set your chart time frames in a way that corresponds to your actual trading. Since all platforms allow you to save your screen layouts, keep yours saved so you can always go back to square one. So take a half hour and go through your platform’s default settings. This will reduce the risk of placing accidental orders, or of accidentally looking at the wrong charts. Now let’s take a look at an actual order entry checklist that can prevent you from making errors: Step 1: Ask Yourself If You Have a Good Reason for Making This Trade Since they’re constantly bombarded with news, data, and ideas, traders are always tempted to act impulsively. You can counteract this tendency by asking yourself: do I have a good reason for doing what I’m about to do? Often, that will be enough to stop you from getting in bad trades. Step 2: Form an Entry and Exit Plan If you’ve got a good reason to make a trade, now it’s time to decide on an entry and exit plan. Know where you want to get in, and where you want to get out. You should have a stop loss to minimize downside risk, and a target price that gives you room to make a solid profit. This will prevent you from getting in a trade, and then asking “so what do I do now?” Step 3: Double Check Your Ticker There are two types of “fat finger” trades. That’s what happens when a trader hits the wrong keys on the keyboard, and a whole lot of money ends up in the wrong place. In 2015, Deutsche Bank’s foreign exchange desk accidentally sent a hedge fund $6 billion because of a simple typo. If you’re not watching carefully, you could very easily buy Advance Auto Parts (AAP) instead of Apple (AAPL). You could mix up Agilent (A) and Alcoa (AA). Or Dominion Energy (D) and Dupont (DD). Step 3: Double Check Your Share Size Let’s say you want to buy 100 shares of JP Morgan (JPM) at $80. That’s $8,000 — a decent chunk of change. But what if you accidentally pop in another zero, and buy 1000 shares? Well, you just made an $80,000 trade. That’s an an extra $72,000. And if the stock suddenly drops $2, you’re down $2,000. Had you bought just the 100 shares you wanted, you’d only be down $200! Step 4: Double-Check Your Expirations and Strike Prices on Options and Futures If you’re trading any instrument with an expiration date, like options or futures, you must absolutely double-check the expiration dates of what you’re trading. You’re often looking at dozens or even hundreds of small numbers on a single computer screen, and it’s easy to make mistakes. Make sure you select the right the expirations and strike prices. This is especially important if you’re entering an order with multiple legs. You may fool yourself into thinking you’ve found an especially attractive calendar or butterfly spread, when in fact, you just got ripped off! Step 5: Perform a Post-Mortem Analysis of Your Best and Worst Trades We recommend that traders keep a diary of their trading activities so they can accurately track their trading history. We’ve found that this piece of advice is mostly ignored. If you’re not willing to take this step, at the very least, do after-the-trade breakdowns of your best and worst trades. Was your rationale for the trade correct? Did you get lucky? What could you have done better? How did you know when to get out? Be honest with yourself, and you’ll start to understand your true trading nature.
Continue Reading -->The 7 Deadly Sins of Trading, and How You Can Cure Them
Greed, for the lack of a better word, is good. That’s what Gordon Gekko said in the classic 1987 film Wall Street. And indeed, a little greed goes a long way. Greed can push you to work harder to bring home a bigger paycheck. It can push you to save more money for retirement. But greed can also eat you alive… even if you have all the money in the world. Greed is only one of the 7 deadly sins you’ve heard about from religious texts or pop culture. And as you’re about to learn, they all apply to trading, and they all have cures if you understand them. Lust is often associated with sexuality. But there’s another kind… the lust for money and power at all costs. That’s a recipe for disaster for 2 simple reasons. An obsession with making more money can push you to take bigger and bigger risks. You’ll put yourself in harm’s way when there’s no good reason to. It can also push you to cross ethical and moral boundaries. Remember, once you cross that line, there’s no turning back. The Cure for Lust Replace your desire for money with a desire to learn. As you become a more skilled and experienced trader, you’ll likely earn more money. So focus on building your skills and gaining experience, NOT the potential rewards of skills and experience. It’s like dreaming about buying a Ferrari before you’ve even had a job. It’s downright childish. Grow up, get good, and the rewards will come. 44% of lottery winners go broke, according to a 2015 study by the Camelot Group. Why? Because most people can’t handle sudden wealth. Traders are no different. Once a trader achieves financial success, he’ll be tempted to overindulge in everything from food to clothes to travel to cars to real estate. An upgraded lifestyle means upgraded living expenses So what happens when that trader has a bad month or bad year? Panic, frustration, and inaction. When the mortgage is due today and there’s just $28.71 in the checking account, it’s pretty dang hard to focus on the charts. The Cure for Gluttony As you earn more money, save a higher percentage of what you take home.. Let’s say that after a year of trading, you have $25,000 left over when all your taxes, trading expenses, and bills are paid. And let’s assume you feel comfortable spending $7,500 of that on “fun stuff” like new clothes, travel and entertainment. That’s 30%. On your next $25,000, take it down to 25%. And the $25,000 after that, reduce it down to 20%. The exact numbers don’t matter. The point is, by scaling down your spending, you’ll keep a safety net in place for the rough times. It’s okay to want a bigger house, a nicer car, and private school for your kids. And it’s okay to dream about having $10 million in your bank account. But if you’re trading just to make money to buy more stuff… go do something else. To become a great trader, you must love the process of trading. It’s not easy to stare at computer screens for 9+ hours a day, trying to make sense of news and charts and price action. Most people burn out from it. But the best of the best can’t pull themselves away! The Cure for Greed Revisit what you really love about trading. Is it the process of scanning through 200 charts to find the one that speaks to you? Is it the rush of adrenaline you get when you nail a trade? Or is it just plain fun? Your trading results are important. If they’re not, you shouldn’t be in this business. But it’s equally important to enjoy the process. So shift your greed for money to a greed for sheer enjoyment. Experienced traders often get nostalgic for the ‘good old days’ before high frequency trading, decimalization, and overactive central banks. Many of these traders run into trouble because they do more complaining than learning. Instead of learning new skills, they get left behind. Evolution is a cruel beast. And it comes for the weakest traders first, the ones that don’t adapt. It’s 2017. The strategies you use today may not work 3 years from now. What are you gonna do about that today? The Cure for Sloth Put yourself on a regular schedule for continuing education and personal development. Don’t give yourself the option of NOT improving. You could set a goal of reading 2 new books a month. Or learning 4 new chart patterns. Or writing out 3 case studies about your best — or worst — trades of the month. The possibilities are endless. And don’t forget about improving your non-trading self. Some of the biggest trading lessons are learned away from the desk on a racquetball court… or on a wild boar hunt in Texas. (seriously) An angry trader is one that just lost money, and is on the verge of losing more. If you’re angry, you’re impatient. If you’re impatient, you’ll make more bad trades. And if you make more bad trades, you’ll get even angrier. That’s when the ‘revenge trading’ starts. That’s when you lose $2,000 in the morning, and you’re determined to ‘make it up’ with more trading. Before you know it, you’re down $5,000. And then $10,000. And so on. And so on. The Cure for Wrath Clean up your mess as best you can. And then walk away from your trading workstation. Don’t come trade again until you have your anger out of your system. Talk to your buddies, watch a funny movie, or take a walk. But get it out of your system. And if you feel like you’re getting out of control too often, seek professional help. Anger won’t just hurt your bottom line. It will also destroy your body. On Wall Street, you can make $1 million a year and still feel poor. Why? Because the guy next to you made $2 million! Traders are competitive by nature. It’s no wonder so many love
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