Originally posted by tampa
I played by the rules, but...
All of my losing trades initially went in the right direction, but the ânoiseâ today did me in time after time. In retrospect, the only clue available was the ultra negative TICK readings.
6 Round Turns / -5 ¾ points.
1 Winner â 5 Losers
Average Loss: 1.55 points.
Average Win: 2 points.
Total P/L ($1437.50)
Again in retrospect, the only thing I could have done was to just not trade. The market was far too choppy/noisy â I never had a chance.
For the moment I am none to amused with keeping this âjournalâ. I may or may not continue with the effort.
I wonder if it occurs to you that there may be some type of flaw in your trading plan?
Here's a few suggestions:
1) Reduce your trading size. Trading 5 lots when your strategy is not working is just a route to bigger losses. Go back to trading one lot until you build some consistency in your trading results.
2) You started this journal by stating that you were unable to sit with your position, as I recall. Based on your journal posts it's almost impossible to tell whether you're sitting or making the same old mistake. But I review the one day where you posted times of trades....you were jumping out VERY quickly. Sometimes just a matter of a few minutes would have resulted in LARGE additional profits. Why would you cut your profits short?
3) Enter some details in the journal so that people can give you suggestions. Otherwise, continuing the journal is not going to be productive for you.
So that you don't think I'm just arbitrarily picking on you, understand that I REDUCE my trading size if I perceive that volatility is increasing. That's my perception right now. Reducing size reduces RISK.
I also reduce size if I'm losing. I increase size as I make money. I increase size somewhat if my day is profitable. I'll increase size if my month is profitable. In other words, I take risks with my profits. Again, I NEVER increase size when I'm losing. I reduce size.
Reducing size allows you to get back into the proper tempo with the market. Losses occur because you're trading incorrectly for the type of market. Increasing size when you or your strategy is out of tempo is insanity, and a sure way to lose.
Now, I understand it's your money, your journal. Just trying to offer some helpful suggestions. Again, no point to the journal unless you provide details of what you're doing and when. Just providing your wins and losses doesn't help you and won't get you any suggestions.
OldTrader