Quote from giannos:
Thanx Bitstream:
the poblem I have with trading small lots is this ....The emotion just isnt the same...For example trading 100 shares af ABC and it moves against me 20 cents...I'm offside only $20 bucks now and it doesnt "feel" that bad...As compared to if that was 5k and I was offside a grand....
how does a person keep objective and stick to their stops even if they are really only offside peanuts?
giannos,
I have not read all the posts on this thread but you have received some good advice from guys like Futures Trader71. At the risk of repeating one someone may have already said here is what I think your problem is RESPECT.
Your above post shows that you just lack the key ingredient for longevity in this business, RESPECT. You have not yet learned (although I'm sure this experience will provide a good dose) that this is a serious and dangerous game. When you choose to make a trade, be it with small size or large, the rules are always the same and your approach to risk and reward must remain constant. You made the crucial mistake of being lulled by a stock like MSFT that has tight spreads, good volume , and good liquidity, and thinking 'oh I can play with size like the big boys cuz this thing won't get away from me and there are always opportunities to get out' . Well guess what, problem is you didn't RESPECT it or your rules (which it appears are based on $$$ you lose as opposed to a sound risk reward framework) and Mr. Softy jammed it up your ass!
Here's the point: if you are gonna trade, (and survive), you need to enter and treat every trade with RESPECT. You need to RESPECT the power of the market, you need to RESPECT the power of the stock, and you need to RESPECT the power of sound trading rules. RESPECT the power trading gives you and has over you! Doesn't matter if you are trading BIDU or MSFT both have the power to create financial freedom for you or take you out and you need to RESPECT that fact.
I could probably ramble on here for another page but I going to cut it and say, sorry for you loss, tough lesson, and wish you better fortune in any future trading endeavors.
Cheers,
IAM
