Anyone else self-sabotage?

[danielc1]

Being unable to automate things is the worst part of it all, because it simply is impossible to remove all of the variables that are affected by making manual decisions in all types of markets. Theoretically that could be helpful at times, when instincts and deeper insights can turn things into a much more profitable position than an automated trade would have taken on, but it just doesn't work that way, for me at least. I'm beginning to wonder if it is actually possible to teach an old dog new tricks.

Even if you could automate your trading, this behavior would interfere time to time and end up with a loss in the end.

The answer is not some new trick, but a deeper understanding of what you want, how you think and why you react in different situations. The goal in trading is to be clear about your trading, before you actually trade. The next goal is to be so clear and small, that any trade or any day doesn't make you emotionally involved. And then you have to be self-aware enough before you start your day with trading, that your circumstances are not going to interfere with your trading plan. So many (losing) traders are just to focused on their systems, they do not realize that the biggest system they need to work on is their own habits, feelings and awareness about themselves. There are people that are naturally wired towards trading. Most people are not. That is why most do not make money, even if they have system that would make money. At every party, I hear the same comments. If I just followed my trading system, I would make a lot of money. If I say: Well, why don't you? Everything comes up and it is all about things outside themselves... Never about attitude control or self control. There is saying: You can reach self-awareness through 20 years of living in Tibet or by you learning to trade the SP 500 profitable.

 

[SimpleMeLike]

Even if you could automate your trading, this behavior would interfere time to time and end up with a loss in the end.

The answer is not some new trick, but a deeper understanding of what you want, how you think and why you react in different situations. The goal in trading is to be clear about your trading, before you actually trade. The next goal is to be so clear and small, that any trade or any day doesn't make you emotionally involved. And then you have to be self-aware enough before you start your day with trading, that your circumstances are not going to interfere with your trading plan. So many (losing) traders are just to focused on their systems, they do not realize that the biggest system they need to work on is their own habits, feelings and awareness about themselves. There are people that are naturally wired towards trading. Most people are not. That is why most do not make money, even if they have system that would make money. At every party, I hear the same comments. If I just followed my trading system, I would make a lot of money. If I say: Well, why don't you? Everything comes up and it is all about things outside themselves... Never about attitude control or self control. There is saying: You can reach self-awareness through 20 years of living in Tibet or by you learning to trade the SP 500 profitable.

Good Morning danielc1,

Very well written. Very true.

Unrealistic expectations in trading leads to traders struggling with a system or without.

 

[Ethan.ishere]

I know what I'm doing and I understand the game. And it takes a lot of discipline and mental strength. And then all of a sudden, it's like I get a voice inside my head that makes me do something hastily and completely stupid. WTF. Anyone else battle something like this?

That's the case with all of us, and if anybody tells you that they don't feel that urge they are lying to you. It will be solved though with experience and time.

 

[murray t turtle]

Even if you could automate your trading, this behavior would interfere time to time and end up with a loss in the end.

The answer is not some new trick, but a deeper understanding of what you want, how you think and why you react in different situations. The goal in trading is to be clear about your trading, before you actually trade. The next goal is to be so clear and small, that any trade or any day doesn't make you emotionally involved. And then you have to be self-aware enough before you start your day with trading, that your circumstances are not going to interfere with your trading plan. So many (losing) traders are just to focused on their systems, they do not realize that the biggest system they need to work on is their own habits, feelings and awareness about themselves. There are people that are naturally wired towards trading. Most people are not. That is why most do not make money, even if they have system that would make money. At every party, I hear the same comments. If I just followed my trading system, I would make a lot of money. If I say: Well, why don't you? Everything comes up and it is all about things outside themselves... Never about attitude control or self control. There is saying: You can reach self-awareness through 20 years of living in Tibet or by you learning to trade the SP 500 profitable.

%%
Good help + rebuke.
1] Looking @ charts a lot + then some more, may help.
I still remember my hi probability JAN trade loss where SPXL topped $150 area;
i could have tuned that big loss in to a disaster by adding to a loser.......
Of course the inverse SH buyer$ made money when i lost that\ JAN, so live + learn.
2] MOST can make money @ something, a job/ business...... ;
i almost bought a copper ETF this week . Instead sold some cash copper .i get part of bid\ask + get the manage fee, profit myself......
777 ] Like Dave Ramsey says ,plan on paper, on purpose.

 

[TrailerParkTed]

Let me ramble and rant for a minute.....
All my life, since being a little kid, I've sat on the sidelines and for some reason I like to observe peoples behaviour.
One thing I've noticed is frequently there are some who can't sit still for 5 seconds, they dart their head around, move their bodies, twitch and always looking for something to do.
They have lots of physical energy.

Possibly your self sabotage is because you can't sit still, you have a restless spirit.

Just a thought.

That’s my problem still!

 

[Zwaen]

I especially sabotage myself in the bar

 

[murray t turtle]

That’s my problem still!

%%
Could be worse. Some drunk in the news, ignored the ''Do Not Approach Wildlife-bison Sign''
He got injured + arrested after kicking the beast.[The Guardian + USA Today]
2] I do like busy hands+ written plan

 

[Wide Tailz]

So frustrating, isn't it? Yeah, I can relate to those fears, and unfortunately to that moment when reality sets in as well.

One thing that fueled the fiasco was all the things I "learned" from other traderz. Books were eventually burned when I recognized who my real enemy was....

 

[themickey]

That’s my problem still!

Obviously you don't go to church where you're forced to sit still for hours, hehehe.
Actually most churches arent like that anymore, but when I was a kid the one we went to was like that, no clapping, no laughing, no hollering out, you just sat quiet and still.

 

[TrailerParkTed]

Obviously you don't go to church where you're forced to sit still for hours, hehehe.
Actually most churches arent like that anymore, but when I was a kid the one we went to was like that, no clapping, no laughing, no hollering out, you just sat quiet and still.

I know exactly what you mean! Church was like attending a funeral.