Yukoner's 2015 Psychological Journal
- Thread starter Yukoner
- Start date
Day #37 (Mo Step #9) - Got some great rest and woke up feeling... well, neutral. Considered if I was ready to trade today, and yes, yes I was.
I am getting close to my trailing max drawdown, and I did feel that old temptation to just trade big and try to get some profit up for the day. But that wasn't in the plan. Even if I did get a good trade on, my max profit target for the day was the $500 area. Secondly, I didn't want to do anything stupid, as it is more important to protect my mental capital than it is to throw on some big winning trade. (but after listening to @Redneck 's youtube video... I wanted to go all in lol)
Went through my standard pre-market routine, and as I am turning on my computer it is calling for an update... and will automatically update within a day. I didn't want it to restart in the middle of trading, so I went ahead and updated it... normally a quick procedure, but today it took some time. Then I had to wait... and feel frustrated... so I reminded myself that this was just a feeling, and that I didn't need to let it continue. Last thing I wanted to do was go into the trading day frustrated. So I reminded myself how frustrated I would feel if the computer updated in the middle of trading, and that was it... emotion diffused.
Trade - click - checkmark. Trade recorded as per @monoid - checkmark. I did have a hard time holding onto the winners, and I certainly could have done a better job of that. I also at times had the signal to add to a winner - but that isn't part of the plan for this month, so no adding. End of my trading time I had a great short on with a great entry, and orders in to exit at profit or to protect account... however, I was running out of time. So I closed the trade with 9 ticks profit and left for my office (trade went to target, so would have been a 48 tick gain). But you know what, that wasn't part of the plan. I shut down the day with a winner.
Later there was just such good opportunity, but for the month of March I am not taking trades from my work office. But it just reinforced to me that the methodology is sound, the setups happen, and when you get opportunity you have to take it... as it might not be there tomorrow.
So finished the week as per the plan. Made widgets. More importantly, feel much stronger with the emotional control! My brain also gets rested. Very happy with that progress.
Hello sweet weekend!
+180
+90 Mo ticks
I am getting close to my trailing max drawdown, and I did feel that old temptation to just trade big and try to get some profit up for the day. But that wasn't in the plan. Even if I did get a good trade on, my max profit target for the day was the $500 area. Secondly, I didn't want to do anything stupid, as it is more important to protect my mental capital than it is to throw on some big winning trade. (but after listening to @Redneck 's youtube video... I wanted to go all in lol)
Went through my standard pre-market routine, and as I am turning on my computer it is calling for an update... and will automatically update within a day. I didn't want it to restart in the middle of trading, so I went ahead and updated it... normally a quick procedure, but today it took some time. Then I had to wait... and feel frustrated... so I reminded myself that this was just a feeling, and that I didn't need to let it continue. Last thing I wanted to do was go into the trading day frustrated. So I reminded myself how frustrated I would feel if the computer updated in the middle of trading, and that was it... emotion diffused.
Trade - click - checkmark. Trade recorded as per @monoid - checkmark. I did have a hard time holding onto the winners, and I certainly could have done a better job of that. I also at times had the signal to add to a winner - but that isn't part of the plan for this month, so no adding. End of my trading time I had a great short on with a great entry, and orders in to exit at profit or to protect account... however, I was running out of time. So I closed the trade with 9 ticks profit and left for my office (trade went to target, so would have been a 48 tick gain). But you know what, that wasn't part of the plan. I shut down the day with a winner.
Later there was just such good opportunity, but for the month of March I am not taking trades from my work office. But it just reinforced to me that the methodology is sound, the setups happen, and when you get opportunity you have to take it... as it might not be there tomorrow.
So finished the week as per the plan. Made widgets. More importantly, feel much stronger with the emotional control! My brain also gets rested. Very happy with that progress.
Hello sweet weekend!
+180
+90 Mo ticks
I fucked up - it was an attempt on my part to keep you from being overly keyed up heading into today
I apologize
=======================
Monday will be day 7 - with the added MO introspect (and more emphasis on / discussion with - your other)
Good damn job last two days..., and the past 6 (the hiccup day be damned - we all have em)
===========
Aside - with all your good progress lately - believe its time for a change
Soooo without further ado
Seeings how (the old) "Yukoner" is diminishing..., and a new you blossoming
- "Yukoner" is gone in my mindYou are now YK
===============
It the weekend YK - go play and relax - you earned it Sir
Happy Weekend All
RN
Great job Yukoner.
Remember to practice/use the two tools in your daily life outside of trading. Also, this weekend, allocate about 30 minutes to do a visualization exercise using the data you collected in Step 3. As you read or listen to the collected data, visualize what was happening at that time, then try to observe the psychological reactions in your body. Granted the re-created psychological reactions will be mild, but it is still a good exercise to do outside of the trading day. However, do not dwell on- or analyze your thoughts!
Have a great weekend.
Regards,
Monoid.
Remember to practice/use the two tools in your daily life outside of trading. Also, this weekend, allocate about 30 minutes to do a visualization exercise using the data you collected in Step 3. As you read or listen to the collected data, visualize what was happening at that time, then try to observe the psychological reactions in your body. Granted the re-created psychological reactions will be mild, but it is still a good exercise to do outside of the trading day. However, do not dwell on- or analyze your thoughts!
Have a great weekend.
Regards,
Monoid.
One of my overriding directives with respect to trading (actually the majority of my life) - is keep crap simple (always strive to distill down..., not complicate)
To that end..., and to prepare for next week - I put the below together
MO / YK / H123 / anyone else interested
Please review / critique - and let me know if I've captured the points important to carry forward into next week (and obviously beyond)
===============
YK,
You've ample on your plate - just trying to help a feller out - if I'm overstepping - please say so
btw - don't be surprised if hiccup day(s) occur with this added aspect
I've found every time I added..., or even modified in the slightest my routine - it took time to get the added stuff..., assimilated and working seamlessly with the existing
Unfortunately our brain isn't a switch we can flip on / off..., or alter at will
Much like a loop..., it must be altered - slowly..., and in small steps
Oh..., but if only it were like a switch - the endless bull shit we could save our self from going through
But then..., we'd also be deprived of the all important journey (in the end this is all we're left with - to be without it would certainly be one hellofa hollow existence imho)
C'est la vie
========================
All,
Please critique away so it ready for prime-time
I'll modify if/ as necessary
========================
Job of making widgets
(1) Take the first trade as per the trading plan;
(2) Note the PnL (or ticks). Immediately do a "go/no-go" analysis and disregard the PnL/Ticks -- "go" if your daily stop limit is not hit/surpassed.
(2.a) If "go" go to step (3).
(2.b) If "no-go", shutdown the computer, and do something else.
(3) When you get the signal for the next trade. Skip the trade. Instead, write the trade down in your notebook. Just sit back and observe the trade as it progresses (this is very important). Document (in audio/book) all your thoughts -- the urges to trade, all the self-talk you have, your feelings etc.
(4) After the trade in (3) is complete, go back to Step(1) and start all over again.
Notes:
(1) For any reason, when in step (1), you enter a trade not in plan, close the trade, write it down. Shutdown the computer, and walk away.
(2) Do not review the documented emotions as part of step (3) at the end of the day. Instead, review them the following Sunday morning.
==================
Tool for self monitoring
Pay attention to your body at all times, as soon as you detect any of the following (only this nothing more):
(1) The slightest change your heartbeat rate;
(2) Shallow or fast breathing;
(3) Tightness in chest;
(4) Queasy feeling in stomach; or
(5) Uncalled for smile or joyous mood
Take note and write it down.
Once noted…, ask the question; why is my physiological reaction occurring
Write down the first answer that comes to mind.
Don't dwell on the answer or try to get the "correct" answer. Just write down the first answer that comes to mind.
There are two types of answer you will get.
(P-One) could be: "because I thought my stop was going to be hit".
(P-Two) could be: "because I saw price reverse".
When your answer is P-One, you are extracting the thought from your sub-conscious before the thought bubbles into your consciousness and starts chaining.
When your answer is P-Two, you have stopped the thought even before it is well formed in your sub-conscious mind.
Incorporate:
(a) Becoming aware of your physiological change
(b) Writing it down
(c) Asking the question
(d) Writing down the first answer that comes to mind; as part of Step 1 and Step 3 in your process.
==================
Daily mantra
Today simply another new day
We are the same
No matter what happens / we think / we feel / mkt does
We identify it / we acknowledge it / we work through it / we set it aside / we move on
We do our job
Screw the results
===================
RN
To that end..., and to prepare for next week - I put the below together
MO / YK / H123 / anyone else interested
Please review / critique - and let me know if I've captured the points important to carry forward into next week (and obviously beyond)
===============
YK,
You've ample on your plate - just trying to help a feller out - if I'm overstepping - please say so
btw - don't be surprised if hiccup day(s) occur with this added aspect
I've found every time I added..., or even modified in the slightest my routine - it took time to get the added stuff..., assimilated and working seamlessly with the existing
Unfortunately our brain isn't a switch we can flip on / off..., or alter at will
Much like a loop..., it must be altered - slowly..., and in small steps
Oh..., but if only it were like a switch - the endless bull shit we could save our self from going through
But then..., we'd also be deprived of the all important journey (in the end this is all we're left with - to be without it would certainly be one hellofa hollow existence imho)
C'est la vie
========================
All,
Please critique away so it ready for prime-time
I'll modify if/ as necessary
========================
Job of making widgets
(1) Take the first trade as per the trading plan;
(2) Note the PnL (or ticks). Immediately do a "go/no-go" analysis and disregard the PnL/Ticks -- "go" if your daily stop limit is not hit/surpassed.
(2.a) If "go" go to step (3).
(2.b) If "no-go", shutdown the computer, and do something else.
(3) When you get the signal for the next trade. Skip the trade. Instead, write the trade down in your notebook. Just sit back and observe the trade as it progresses (this is very important). Document (in audio/book) all your thoughts -- the urges to trade, all the self-talk you have, your feelings etc.
(4) After the trade in (3) is complete, go back to Step(1) and start all over again.
Notes:
(1) For any reason, when in step (1), you enter a trade not in plan, close the trade, write it down. Shutdown the computer, and walk away.
(2) Do not review the documented emotions as part of step (3) at the end of the day. Instead, review them the following Sunday morning.
==================
Tool for self monitoring
Pay attention to your body at all times, as soon as you detect any of the following (only this nothing more):
(1) The slightest change your heartbeat rate;
(2) Shallow or fast breathing;
(3) Tightness in chest;
(4) Queasy feeling in stomach; or
(5) Uncalled for smile or joyous mood
Take note and write it down.
Once noted…, ask the question; why is my physiological reaction occurring
Write down the first answer that comes to mind.
Don't dwell on the answer or try to get the "correct" answer. Just write down the first answer that comes to mind.
There are two types of answer you will get.
(P-One) could be: "because I thought my stop was going to be hit".
(P-Two) could be: "because I saw price reverse".
When your answer is P-One, you are extracting the thought from your sub-conscious before the thought bubbles into your consciousness and starts chaining.
When your answer is P-Two, you have stopped the thought even before it is well formed in your sub-conscious mind.
Incorporate:
(a) Becoming aware of your physiological change
(b) Writing it down
(c) Asking the question
(d) Writing down the first answer that comes to mind; as part of Step 1 and Step 3 in your process.
==================
Daily mantra
Today simply another new day
We are the same
No matter what happens / we think / we feel / mkt does
We identify it / we acknowledge it / we work through it / we set it aside / we move on
We do our job
Screw the results
===================
RN
Day # --- slept well, woke up feeling rested. Focus was on doing the correct thing. Went through pre-market routine and... Oh wait, it is Sunday! 
Went through the Mo steps of visualization, which was pretty easy watching the video recordings of my trading screen and me talking through what I was feeling. Spent about 30 minutes on this. Wrote down the thoughts that accompanied my physiological reaction.
Watching the videos, I realize just how much emotional stimuli is going through my brain when a trade is on. And those are sim Mo trades, not even combine trades. No wonder I have the results that I have.
Trading from a state of "neutral" is going to make a massive difference!
I owe @monoid a big THANK YOU for these exercises!!
Heading out for the rest of the day, away from trading thoughts until after 5:00 pm. Relaxing that brain. Letting nature soothe it. Getting recharged for Monday.
PS. Loving the upgrade that @Redneck gave me. YK it is!
Went through the Mo steps of visualization, which was pretty easy watching the video recordings of my trading screen and me talking through what I was feeling. Spent about 30 minutes on this. Wrote down the thoughts that accompanied my physiological reaction.
Watching the videos, I realize just how much emotional stimuli is going through my brain when a trade is on. And those are sim Mo trades, not even combine trades. No wonder I have the results that I have.
Trading from a state of "neutral" is going to make a massive difference!
I owe @monoid a big THANK YOU for these exercises!!
Heading out for the rest of the day, away from trading thoughts until after 5:00 pm. Relaxing that brain. Letting nature soothe it. Getting recharged for Monday.
PS. Loving the upgrade that @Redneck gave me. YK it is!
RN,
We could argue (discuss
The big question, is of course, what needs to change (mostly) in order to progress.
If one thinks about too many things at once, then confusion will arise!
J_S
J_Smith
Last Sunday I said let's set this aside till next weekend, which is here..., and almost past
If I so hell bent on arguing - don't you think I would have brought this back up on Friday..., or waited till now to only say;
If you'd like to discuss further - we certainly can next weekend - if you think it arguing - then we'll drop completely
====================
Discussion opens the mind..., leads to learning / understanding / mind expansion
Arguing closes the mind..., leads to any number of undesirable states / thoughts / emotions
I enjoy learning
RN
Last edited:
Out with the old..., in with the new..., and improved
To change - we must change (same as with do-ing)
RN
RN,
We can all learn something of value from each other, even from those who are just interested in wasting other peoples time, who are evidently present on this site and many other.
I could sum up everything I have learned in a few paragraphs, but to do that would be foolish and silly, as I think you may agree with?
So, we shall continue to discuss, and those who wish may seek to extract relevant information for their own betterment, if they are open minded and have the desire to do so.
J_S