Big Error

The big Error today was one of things I tend to deal with because I tend to not view my trading as a real job as when you are at work for someone you are not available.  So today I was unable to trade because I scheduled a Dr. appointment first thing in the morning.  Error. My job is trading and I am unavailable till noon PST.  When I make this error I could be not making good trades that help me to get through the days when the market is not giving me my good set ups.  As I look at todays charts, I missed some good moves.  I am not going to let this error happen unless it is really important.

Last night I did something that may help to remind me that I am a Professional trader and not an Amateur.
It printed out on a sheet of paper this statement-   Is what you are doing now or want to do something that a Professional would do or are you being a Amateur?
I then folded it so that it would stay on my keyboard and mouse, so that I would have to move it before I could actually take any action typing or moving the mouse.  I am interested to see how this helps me trade as a Pro rather than a Amateur.
Weekend here. rest 

Focus, Works again !

I made more trades than I should have. And I was only taking 2 -3 tics per trade. I have to stop that.  I managed to get my daily goal. But it would be so much easier to just take 2 pts on 3 trades and look like a professional trading a plan.  I am focusing on 2 other keys words or thought processes.  Uncertainty,  it is never going to go away. Grab it rather than fear it.  realize that at every set up there is this unknown.  Be ok with that, It is what makes trading and life not boring.  The what, that might happen either way.  Uncertainty is that moment when I am to enter a trade but to experience it and to really feel alive doing it I must push the button and enter my trades. To fail to do so is only half living.
The other thought- visualize that you are trading like a pro. see how you do everything as you should. You get in because it is your time to do so. Your set up is there.  you let the market go to target or your stop, because as a pro you just know that is the best for longer term profits.  You don't even think about moving your stop back to avoid a loss. You are just glad that you can now look for another trade rather than hoping and waiting, and praying to get out of your bigger loser than it was from the original stop.  As a pro you see yourself waiting for the better set ups knowing that you want the bigger swings to get more of the pie.
Then see yourself as how you have been trading as an Amateur.  You are pathetic, You are letting your fears make you do stupid silly things.  you look like an amateur.  Do you want other traders to see you as an Amateur ?  You can see how a pro trades in your mind. then just trade that way. If pro's do not lose money but make it over time you will too!  So to trade like a pro just ask yourself before you do anything- Would a pro do this ?  Or a losing Amateur ?  Only do what a pro does.  Just act like a pro. Then you are a PRO.

Tooo many baby trades.  Be a pro and find some nice setups and let the baby trades pass.

Focus- its the real Deal

Today I focused like in my trading plan. And it works. I stay in tune to the movement of the market. I am able to wait for the better set ups. I just need to let the trades go to my 2 pt targets. As most of the trades got there, but I bailed with 2 to 3 tics.  I need those bigger wins to over come the loses that will happen.  I am going to keep doing what I have been doing and I will become the trader I want to be at this time.  Stage 3

would have triple that profit had I held out for 2 pt targets.  That is my goal tomorrow. hold to target or stop. let trade work.

Focus, It seems to help

My wife made a comment the other day about my trading.  As I mentioned that I feel so close to making forward steps in my  trading,  but it seems out of reach still.  Then she made her comment on the very thing I was thinking about myself.  I am not focusing during the time I am to be trading.  As someone with lots of interests. I tend to be distracted while I should be just focusing on my charts.  So in the last 3 days I have made a point of only watching my charts and focusing on the price action. It has helped me a lot to see what how the market is unfolding and to wait for certain things to happen so that I may bounce on a trade that I am ready for versus the market moving around without me seeing what is happening only to be left in the dust.  I find if I write on the chart as things are happening, it keeps me focused and in tune to the market.  I must continue to do this as it makes me an active participant in trading rather than just an observer.

I am drawing in the trend lines, the HL and LH and keeping tabs on who is showing weakness. In looking for the 3-4 setups each day. I pretend I am a cautious Jackal with a broken leg rather than a strong Lion who might be tempted to take on the strong. I am looking for weak strays that I can bounce on and take bite out of their money pot.

FOCUS, FOCUS.