Welcome to NexusFi: the best trading community on the planet, with over 150,000 members Sign Up Now for Free
Genuine reviews from real traders, not fake reviews from stealth vendors
Quality education from leading professional traders
We are a friendly, helpful, and positive community
We do not tolerate rude behavior, trolling, or vendors advertising in posts
We are here to help, just let us know what you need
You'll need to register in order to view the content of the threads and start contributing to our community. It's free for basic access, or support us by becoming an Elite Member -- see if you qualify for a discount below.
-- Big Mike, Site Administrator
(If you already have an account, login at the top of the page)
Its amazing the hold over us that a physical and mental routine has. I have worked consistantly 6 days a week since leaving school (around 15 years now) and the hardest part I found with trading full time was that I could not wind down and slow my energy levels enough.
On a typicall day I work physically and mentally for 8 hours, inc cycle to and from work, then go to the gym. Swap that for just a gym session each day and I just could not make it work. I almost need to be physically and mentally tired / relaxed to be able to trade properly. Otherwise my mind is too active, considering all sorts of stuff, finding all sorts of reasons that dont matter to trade or not.
The other issue is I have always worked for myself or run my own business save for a few longer contracts. The drive and work ethic required to be successfull doing that is immense. Add to that the fact I genuinely love and enjoy my other work and it was very difficult to give it up.
Then there is trading, when I was full time I worked at a prop firm. Before that I was trading off my own hook on and off for 2-3 years trying all sorts of stuff all the time, basically your classic what not to do guy like @Big Mike has a list of stuff not to do, that was me lol!
Then I gradually came to realise that what was right for me was a balance, it didnt mean I was a failure that I couldnt trade full time. For some reason I needed to accept that as thats what it felt like at the time. I just need more to fulfill me as a whole person in terms of creativity, energy levels, mental application, no pressure to perform, financial stability, ultimatly the knowledge that what ever I was doing at that point in time was because I chose to do it, I wanted that.
Once I accepted that both forms of my work went from strength to strength.
The other massive MASSIVE thing I now always try and do is stay in the present. Like right now this second. Not 2 mins ago, not later that day. RIGHT NOW, focusing on that very second in time that you involved in right now wipes everything else away. Keeps all other factors out of the way. Makes life so simple.
One of the wisest and most passionate people I have ever met had a favourite quote.....'You've got one foot in the past, one foot in the future and your pissing on the present'....
Oh so true!
You will make the right choice for you when the time is right.
I have approximate answers, possible beliefs and different degrees of certainty of different things. But I'm not absolutely sure of anything and there are many things i don't know anything about.
Yup, but of course a lot of traders never realize or accept this. They blame indicators, signal providers, trading room educators, platform crashes, internet disconnects, computer lock ups, phone ringing, wife interrupting, children needing attention, etc. And those are the guys who won't succeed, at least until they realize they are completely and utterly responsible for their trading in every single way, including all of the above things.
A guy who works for me had a heart attack. He is ok, but it was a scary experience. Knowing the stress of the project I had him on, for both of us, it almost seems his condition was directly related to me. I know, genetics, diet, exercise... but extreme daily stress can be a heavier impact on the body. Hidden, slow, psycho-physical abuse is a part of the job. It caused me to think about whether I am next?
I hit max down today. Had too much going on, covering for him, managing here in Colorado, warranty issues in two other states, new budget due by noon, conference calls... and in the middle of that thought I would get tricky with a divergence trade. Horrible decision in hindsight. A trade I really do not believe in. Not sure why even. My mind was just not here today. Loss was only about 1%, not the first or the last time, but I may sit out tomorrow.
If you experience the same stress then that is not good. Do you exercise? Sounds like not time for that, huh? If you are as busy tomorrow as you were today you probably ought to sit out. I think trading CL requires a lot of focus and if you are doing all those other things then you can't focus.
Brent crude slipped below $115 on Friday as supply worries eased on a possible release of oil reserves by the United States while Israeli comments on Iran reduced fears of a potential conflict in the Middle East that could disrupt exports.
News that the White House is "dusting off old plans" for a potential reserve release helped benchmark contracts come off the previous session's three-month highs.
Prices were also dampened by easing concerns of a supply disruption from the Middle East after Israeli President Shimon Peres downplayed the prospect of a unilateral strike on Iran.
The possible release of reserves "would definitely be the reason for the active Brent this morning," said Ben Le Brun, a Sydney-based market analyst at OptionsXpress. "This is not bad news for global growth, since it will allow for more development and generally better the world economy."
U.S. officials will monitor market conditions over the coming weeks, watching whether gasoline prices fall after the Sept. 3 Labor Day holiday, as they historically do, a source with knowledge of the situation said.
The United States has not yet held talks with international partners about a coordinated move. The source noted that Britain, France, Germany and other partner nations in the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA) were receptive to a potential release a few months ago when conditions were similar.
Yes, vegetarian, natural health, gym, good diet, etc. Within 2 days of being in Denver joined gym, bought frisbees, checked out kayak lessons. Just tough schedule and job requirements. Never stop.