What's the single thing you've done that's improved your results?

[murray t turtle]

Knowing the statistical evidence that leans towards keying investment off of the long term trend of the U.S. equity markets vs. short term ( stocks have risen 60+% and fallen 30+% over long periods ), as they ( the U.S. equity markets ) are representative of stable policy, debt, and currency, highest innovation and entrepreneurship, lender of last resort, persistence of growth trajectory, fiduciary responsibility to shareholders, liquidity, etc.




"- Don't quit your day job
- Don't use leverage
- Open a Roth IRA
- Sometimes money is made by sitting in cash
- Don't be a hostage to the markets
- let the markets, profitability of the U.S. economy work for you "

Wise words, S MarketMap;
NOT that some sectors have done any where near that good, medium term or long term.Wise words anyway.Some say 70%, 30%/+, you maybe right; of course in a 3 year bear like 2000-2001,2002 the polar bears did much better ...Good post

 

[eganon69]

What's the single thing you've done that's improved your results?

I joined elite trader.com

 

[lawrence-lugar]

What's the single thing you've done that's improved your results?

I joined elite trader.com

I hope that's sarcasm -- although ET is good...I kind of come here mainly for small talk and entertainment.
Everything I learned was from my own -- take everything you read from random voices on the web with a grain of salt.

 

[eganon69]

I hope that's sarcasm -- although ET is good...I kind of come here mainly for small talk and entertainment.
Everything I learned was from my own -- take everything you read from random voices on the web with a grain of salt.

Yes it was sarcasm

 

[MJ888]

If I had to identify just one thing, I would say PATIENCE. We live in a world where we want everything to happen right now but for the way I trade, selling commodities options for premium, I have learned to be patient and allow time decay to do its magic.

 

[watchdaride]

i have a profit and loss sheet framed where i lost $3K in 1 week and another beside it where i made $10K in 1 week .Reminds me the close a losing trade and there will be big winners to make it up. Use to keep losers too long hoping to reverse, Its the 1st lesson we learn but hard to do is cut your loses early and let your profits run .

 

[ScroogeMcDuck]

Read The Intelligent Investor by Ben Graham. Averaged 29% per year for the last 4 years.

 

[nonlinear5]

Full automation has been the most significant factor for me. Sometimes when I revew my system's automated trades, I realize that it would have taken me another 20 years to get to that level of detachment, cold calculation, and machine-like discipline, if I traded manually.

 

[NYtrader920]

A setup? Market awareness? Patience?

Minimizing trading fees.

 

[BONECRUSHER]

Read The Intelligent Investor by Ben Graham. Averaged 29% per year for the last 4 years.

Great book...and great job...but have a plan in mind for the next bear market. The Graham method of stock picking will hold up well in comparison to other methods, but there will be losses if the market decline is severe enough. Just know if you will hold through it or have an exit plan...either way is more of a personal preference...just make sure you don't have to panic!
Good luck!