Quote from scot.mcpherson:
I try NOT to call the tops and bottoms, but that's what I usually end up doing, and I tend to do it wrong. I get lucky sometimes and I make back all the money I previously lost, but I haven't made any real headway.
I try to swing trade by seeing a trend, but I tend to end up at the top of a pennant or flag rather than near the bottom of a new trend.
Now sometimes because I end up giving up too early, I end up loosing money I could have kept if I were more patient. So what do I do? I try to practice more patience and the money continues to get flushed until I finally give up...guess what happens...every time....
That's when it changes direction again. It seems my tolerance levels seem to track the bottoms and the tops...it's frustrating sometimes.
Again I do get lucky sometimes, and I take a really good position that soars me back into black in a single trade or two, but ugh...I should be so much farther ahead if not for the stupid maneuvors.
You might want to change your strategy some then.
Why not take trades where you can see a potential of 3-5%, and on occasion take a flyer and make 10%?
Seems to make better sense since you're out in meetings and can't watch all the time. Trying to slice little gains here and there are for the guy that can babysit a trade all the time - although it ain't MY way either.
Hit singles. When you connect good and get it by the outfielders and make a big gain, take that.