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skills/trading-plan-generator/references/risk_management.md
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skills/trading-plan-generator/references/risk_management.md
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# Risk Management for Traders
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The single most important factor determining trading success.
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---
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## Why Risk Management Matters
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**The brutal truth:**
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- 90% of traders lose money
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- Most blow up their accounts
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- #1 reason: Poor risk management
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**What separates winners from losers:**
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- NOT better analysis
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- NOT better indicators
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- NOT market prediction
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- **Risk management and discipline**
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**Your job as a trader:**
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- Protect capital FIRST
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- Make money SECOND
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---
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## The 1% Rule
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**Never risk more than 1% of account on single trade**
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### Why 1%?
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**Survival math:**
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- 10 losses in a row = -10% drawdown
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- 20 losses in a row = -20% drawdown
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- Still in the game
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**Compare to 5% risk:**
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- 10 losses in a row = -50% drawdown
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- Need 100% return just to break even
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- Likely game over
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### How to Calculate
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```
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Risk Amount = Account Size × 0.01
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Example:
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$50,000 account × 1% = $500 max risk per trade
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```
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### Position Sizing with 1% Rule
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```
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Shares = Risk Amount / (Entry - Stop)
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Example:
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- Account: $50,000
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- Risk: $500 (1%)
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- Entry: $100
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- Stop: $98
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- Risk per share: $2
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- Position: $500 / $2 = 250 shares
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```
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**Key insight:** Position SIZE changes, but RISK stays constant
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---
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## Daily Loss Limits
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**Hard stop when you hit daily loss limit**
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### Recommended Limits
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| Trader Type | Daily Loss Limit |
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|-------------|------------------|
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| Conservative | -1% |
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| Moderate | -2% |
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| Aggressive | -3% |
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### Why Daily Limits Matter
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**Prevents:**
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- Revenge trading
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- Emotional spirals
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- Blowup days
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- Tilt-induced disasters
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**Example:**
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- $50,000 account
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- 2% daily limit = -$1,000
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- Hit limit → DONE for the day
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- No exceptions
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### What to Do When Hit
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1. Close ALL positions
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2. Step away from computer
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3. Physical activity (walk/exercise)
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4. Review trades later (not now)
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5. Resume next day with clear head
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**Remember:** There's always tomorrow
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---
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## Maximum Drawdown
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**Stop trading at X% drawdown from peak**
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### Recommended Limits
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- Conservative: 10%
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- Moderate: 15%
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- Aggressive: 20%
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### When Hit
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1. **STOP trading immediately**
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2. Take minimum 1 week break
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3. Full trade review
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4. Identify systematic issues
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5. Paper trade only
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6. Return with reduced size
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### Why This Matters
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**Psychology of drawdown:**
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- -10% requires +11% to recover
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- -20% requires +25% to recover
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- -50% requires +100% to recover
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**Each % down becomes harder to recover**
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---
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## Risk:Reward Ratios
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**Only take trades with favorable R:R**
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### Minimum Standards
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**Conservative:** 3:1
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**Moderate:** 2:1
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**Aggressive:** 1.5:1
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### The Math
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With 2:1 R:R, you can be profitable at 40% win rate:
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```
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10 trades:
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- 4 wins × 2R = +8R
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- 6 losses × 1R = -6R
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- Net: +2R profit
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```
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### How to Calculate
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```
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R = Risk (Entry - Stop)
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Reward = Target - Entry
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R:R = Reward / Risk
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Example:
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- Entry: $100
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- Stop: $98 (Risk = $2)
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- Target: $106 (Reward = $6)
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- R:R = $6 / $2 = 3:1 ✓
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```
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**Rule:** If R:R < your minimum → SKIP THE TRADE
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---
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## Position Sizing Methods
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### 1. Fixed Dollar Risk (Recommended)
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**Same dollar risk every trade**
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```
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Shares = Risk $ / (Entry - Stop)
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```
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**Pros:**
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- Simple and consistent
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- Easy to track
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- Protects capital
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**Cons:**
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- Doesn't scale with wins/losses
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---
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### 2. Fixed Percentage Risk
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**Same % risk every trade**
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```
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Shares = (Account × Risk %) / (Entry - Stop)
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```
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**Pros:**
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- Scales with account
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- Compounds wins
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- Simple
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**Cons:**
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- Also compounds losses
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---
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### 3. Volatility-Based (ATR)
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**Position size based on volatility**
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```
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Risk $ / (ATR × Multiplier)
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```
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**Pros:**
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- Adapts to market conditions
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- Prevents whipsaw
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**Cons:**
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- More complex
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- Requires calculation
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---
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### 4. Kelly Criterion (Advanced)
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**Optimal position sizing based on edge**
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```
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Kelly % = (Win Rate × Avg Win - Loss Rate × Avg Loss) / Avg Win
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```
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**WARNING:**
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- Can be very aggressive
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- Use fractional Kelly (1/4 or 1/2)
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- Only for experienced traders
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- Requires accurate statistics
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---
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## Stop-Loss Strategies
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### Never Trade Without Stops
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**Why stops are mandatory:**
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- Limits losses
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- Removes emotion
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- Protects from disasters
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- Enables risk calculation
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**No exceptions. Ever.**
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### Stop-Loss Methods
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**1. Fixed Percentage**
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- X% below entry
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- Simple and clear
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- Example: 2% below entry
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**2. Technical Level**
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- Below support
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- Below swing low
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- Makes logical sense
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**3. ATR-Based**
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- 1.5-2× Average True Range
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- Adapts to volatility
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- Prevents whipsaw
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**4. Time Stop**
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- Exit if no progress in X days
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- Frees capital
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- Cuts losers
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### Stop-Loss Rules
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**✓ DO:**
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- Set stop BEFORE entry
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- Use actual stop orders (not mental)
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- Place stops at logical levels
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- Honor stops always
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**✗ NEVER:**
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- Move stop further from entry
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- Remove stop "just this once"
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- Use mental stops
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- Hope price comes back
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---
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## Position Concentration
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**Don't put all eggs in one basket**
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### Maximum Position Limits
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**Single position:**
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- Conservative: 10% of account
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- Moderate: 20% of account
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- Aggressive: 30% of account
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**Sector exposure:**
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- Maximum 30-40% in single sector
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- Diversify across sectors
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- Correlation matters
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**Total exposure:**
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- Day trading: 100% (close daily)
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- Swing trading: 60-80%
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- Position trading: Varies
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### Why Concentration Matters
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**Example:**
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- 50% in one position
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- Stock drops 20%
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- Account drops 10%
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- Hard to recover
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**Better:**
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- 10% in one position
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- Stock drops 20%
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- Account drops 2%
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- Manageable
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---
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## Correlation Risk
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**Avoid correlated positions**
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### Understanding Correlation
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**High correlation example:**
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- Long tech stock A
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- Long tech stock B
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- Both move together
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- Double exposure to tech risk
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**Better diversification:**
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- Different sectors
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- Different market caps
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- Different strategies
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- True diversification
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---
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## Leverage and Margin
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**Leverage amplifies BOTH gains and losses**
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### Margin Risk
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**2:1 Margin:**
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- 50% loss = margin call
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- Forced liquidation
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- Game over
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**Recommended:**
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- Use margin sparingly
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- Never max out margin
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- Maintain buffer
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- Understand margin requirements
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### Options Leverage
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**Options can expire worthless**
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- 100% loss possible
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- Time decay (theta)
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- Volatility risk (vega)
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- Requires different risk management
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**Options risk limit:**
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- Max 5-10% of account in options
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- Treat each option as high risk
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- Never bet the farm
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---
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## Risk Management Checklist
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**Before EVERY trade:**
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- [ ] Position size calculated
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- [ ] Risk ≤ 1% (or your limit)
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- [ ] Stop-loss identified
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- [ ] R:R ≥ 2:1 (or your minimum)
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- [ ] Within daily loss limit
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- [ ] Not overexposed to sector
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- [ ] Account for correlation
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- [ ] Emotionally prepared to take loss
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**If ANY unchecked → DON'T TAKE TRADE**
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---
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## Account Preservation
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**Capital preservation rules:**
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1. **Never go all-in**
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- Keep reserves
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- Opportunities come again
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2. **Accept losses quickly**
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- Small losses are OK
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- Don't let small become big
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3. **Don't average down**
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- Adding to losers doubles risk
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- Compounds mistakes
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4. **Take breaks after losses**
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- Prevent revenge trading
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- Clear your head
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5. **Reduce size in drawdown**
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- Trade smaller when losing
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- Build confidence back
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---
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## Common Risk Management Mistakes
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### ❌ Fatal Errors
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**1. No stop-loss**
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Result: One trade wipes account
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**2. Risk too much per trade**
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Result: Few losses = blown account
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**3. Moving stops**
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Result: Invalidates risk management
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**4. Revenge trading**
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Result: Emotional decisions, bigger losses
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**5. Averaging down**
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Result: Doubling down on mistakes
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**6. Over-leveraging**
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Result: Margin call, forced exit
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**7. Ignoring correlation**
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Result: Concentrated risk in disguise
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### ✓ Best Practices
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**1. Consistent position sizing**
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Same risk every trade
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**2. Hard daily loss limits**
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Stop when hit, no exceptions
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**3. Honest stop placement**
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Logical levels, not wishes
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**4. R:R minimum**
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Quality over quantity
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**5. Diversification**
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Don't concentrate risk
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**6. Regular reviews**
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Track and improve
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---
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## Risk vs Reward Balance
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**High Probability vs High R:R**
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### High Win Rate (60-70%)
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- Smaller R:R (1.5:1)
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- More trades
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- Steady equity curve
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- Example: Mean reversion
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### High R:R (3:1+)
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- Lower win rate (30-40%)
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- Fewer trades
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- Volatile equity curve
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- Example: Trend following
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**Both can be profitable if managed correctly**
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---
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## Position Sizing Examples
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### Example 1: Moderate Risk
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```
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Account: $50,000
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Risk per trade: 1% = $500
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Entry: $50
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Stop: $48
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Risk per share: $2
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Position: $500 / $2 = 250 shares
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Position value: $12,500 (25% of account)
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Actual risk: $500 (1% of account)
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```
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### Example 2: Tight Stop
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```
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Account: $50,000
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Risk per trade: 1% = $500
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Entry: $100
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Stop: $99
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Risk per share: $1
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Position: $500 / $1 = 500 shares
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Position value: $50,000 (100% of account)
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Actual risk: $500 (1% of account)
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```
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**Key:** Position SIZE varies, but RISK stays constant
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||||
|
||||
---
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## Emergency Procedures
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|
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### When Things Go Wrong
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|
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**Circuit breaker triggered:**
|
||||
1. Stop trading immediately
|
||||
2. Close positions if possible
|
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3. Assess damage
|
||||
4. Don't panic trade
|
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|
||||
**Flash crash:**
|
||||
1. Don't chase
|
||||
2. Check your stops
|
||||
3. Wait for stability
|
||||
4. Review risk exposure
|
||||
|
||||
**Account down big:**
|
||||
1. STOP trading
|
||||
2. Take mandatory break
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3. Full review
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||||
4. Return with smaller size
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
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|
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## Risk Management Quotes
|
||||
|
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**"Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No. 2: Never forget rule No.1"** - Warren Buffett
|
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|
||||
**"The goal of a successful trader is to make the best trades. Money is secondary."** - Alexander Elder
|
||||
|
||||
**"Risk comes from not knowing what you're doing."** - Warren Buffett
|
||||
|
||||
**"Don't focus on making money; focus on protecting what you have."** - Paul Tudor Jones
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Summary
|
||||
|
||||
**Risk management is:**
|
||||
- Your edge
|
||||
- Your protection
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||||
- Your discipline
|
||||
- Your success factor
|
||||
|
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**Remember:**
|
||||
- Small consistent gains > Home runs
|
||||
- Protect capital first
|
||||
- There's always another trade
|
||||
- Survive to trade tomorrow
|
||||
|
||||
**The math is simple:**
|
||||
- Lose 50% → Need 100% to recover
|
||||
- Lose 10% → Need 11% to recover
|
||||
|
||||
**Trade small, trade smart, trade long-term**
|
||||
660
skills/trading-plan-generator/references/trading_psychology.md
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660
skills/trading-plan-generator/references/trading_psychology.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,660 @@
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# Trading Psychology
|
||||
|
||||
Master your mind, master the markets.
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Why Psychology Matters
|
||||
|
||||
**Technical analysis:** 20% of success
|
||||
**Risk management:** 30% of success
|
||||
**Psychology:** 50% of success
|
||||
|
||||
**The hard truth:**
|
||||
- You are your own worst enemy
|
||||
- Emotions destroy accounts
|
||||
- Discipline beats intelligence
|
||||
- The market exposes psychological weaknesses
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## The Emotional Cycle of Trading
|
||||
|
||||
### Stage 1: Optimism
|
||||
- First wins
|
||||
- "This is easy!"
|
||||
- Overconfidence building
|
||||
- Taking bigger positions
|
||||
|
||||
### Stage 2: Excitement
|
||||
- String of wins
|
||||
- Feeling invincible
|
||||
- Breaking rules
|
||||
- Maximum risk
|
||||
|
||||
### Stage 3: Thrill
|
||||
- Biggest position yet
|
||||
- Ignoring warnings
|
||||
- "I can't lose"
|
||||
- Peak overconfidence
|
||||
|
||||
### Stage 4: Euphoria
|
||||
- Top of cycle
|
||||
- Taking ANY trade
|
||||
- No risk management
|
||||
- Disaster imminent
|
||||
|
||||
### Stage 5: Anxiety
|
||||
- First big loss
|
||||
- "Just bad luck"
|
||||
- Revenge trading starts
|
||||
- Doubling down
|
||||
|
||||
### Stage 6: Denial
|
||||
- "Market is wrong"
|
||||
- Moving stops
|
||||
- Averaging down
|
||||
- Refusing to accept loss
|
||||
|
||||
### Stage 7: Fear
|
||||
- Watching losses grow
|
||||
- Paralyzed
|
||||
- Can't exit
|
||||
- Hope replacing strategy
|
||||
|
||||
### Stage 8: Desperation
|
||||
- All-in trades
|
||||
- Gambling, not trading
|
||||
- Breaking all rules
|
||||
- Account in danger
|
||||
|
||||
### Stage 9: Panic
|
||||
- Forced exits
|
||||
- Margin calls
|
||||
- Capitulation
|
||||
- Major loss realized
|
||||
|
||||
### Stage 10: Capitulation
|
||||
- Give up
|
||||
- "Trading doesn't work"
|
||||
- Blame external factors
|
||||
- Quit or start over
|
||||
|
||||
### Stage 11: Despondency
|
||||
- Depression
|
||||
- Lost confidence
|
||||
- Consider quitting
|
||||
- Seeking answers
|
||||
|
||||
### Stage 12: Depression
|
||||
- Lowest point
|
||||
- Questioning everything
|
||||
- But...learning begins
|
||||
|
||||
### Stage 13: Hope
|
||||
- Education phase
|
||||
- Developing plan
|
||||
- Paper trading
|
||||
- Slow rebuild
|
||||
|
||||
### Stage 14: Relief
|
||||
- Small wins return
|
||||
- Following plan
|
||||
- Confidence building
|
||||
- Sustainable approach
|
||||
|
||||
**Then cycle repeats at smaller scale**
|
||||
|
||||
**Goal:** Flatten the cycle through discipline
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Common Psychological Traps
|
||||
|
||||
### 1. Revenge Trading
|
||||
|
||||
**What it is:**
|
||||
- Trading to "get back" losses
|
||||
- Emotional, not strategic
|
||||
- Larger positions
|
||||
- Breaks all rules
|
||||
|
||||
**Why it happens:**
|
||||
- Ego hurt
|
||||
- Feel need to "win"
|
||||
- Loss aversion
|
||||
- Impatience
|
||||
|
||||
**How to avoid:**
|
||||
- Hard daily loss limits
|
||||
- Mandatory cool-down periods
|
||||
- Accept losses as business cost
|
||||
- Focus on process, not money
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
### 2. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
|
||||
|
||||
**What it is:**
|
||||
- Chasing moves without setup
|
||||
- Entering late
|
||||
- Ignoring risk
|
||||
- "Everyone else is making money"
|
||||
|
||||
**Why it happens:**
|
||||
- Social comparison
|
||||
- Greed
|
||||
- Impatience
|
||||
- Scarcity mindset
|
||||
|
||||
**How to avoid:**
|
||||
- Wait for YOUR setup
|
||||
- Ignore what others are doing
|
||||
- Abundance mindset (opportunities come again)
|
||||
- Follow plan strictly
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
### 3. Overconfidence
|
||||
|
||||
**What it is:**
|
||||
- Taking outsized risk after wins
|
||||
- Ignoring risk management
|
||||
- "I can't lose"
|
||||
- Breaking rules
|
||||
|
||||
**Why it happens:**
|
||||
- Recent wins
|
||||
- Confirmation bias
|
||||
- Ego
|
||||
- Misunderstanding edge
|
||||
|
||||
**How to avoid:**
|
||||
- Fixed position sizing always
|
||||
- Review losers, not just winners
|
||||
- Remember: market is humbling
|
||||
- Track compliance, not just P&L
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
### 4. Analysis Paralysis
|
||||
|
||||
**What it is:**
|
||||
- Over-analyzing
|
||||
- Can't pull trigger
|
||||
- Waiting for "perfect" setup
|
||||
- Missing trades
|
||||
|
||||
**Why it happens:**
|
||||
- Fear of being wrong
|
||||
- Perfectionism
|
||||
- Too many indicators
|
||||
- No clear plan
|
||||
|
||||
**How to avoid:**
|
||||
- Simple setup criteria
|
||||
- Binary decision framework
|
||||
- Accept imperfect trades
|
||||
- Losses are part of game
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
### 5. Loss Aversion
|
||||
|
||||
**What it is:**
|
||||
- Refusing to take small loss
|
||||
- Moving stops
|
||||
- Hoping for recovery
|
||||
- Small loss becomes big
|
||||
|
||||
**Why it happens:**
|
||||
- Pain of being wrong
|
||||
- Sunk cost fallacy
|
||||
- Ego protection
|
||||
- Loss hurts more than gain feels good
|
||||
|
||||
**How to avoid:**
|
||||
- Stops are non-negotiable
|
||||
- View losses as business expense
|
||||
- Protect capital first
|
||||
- Smaller losses = stay in game
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
### 6. Confirmation Bias
|
||||
|
||||
**What it is:**
|
||||
- Seeking info that confirms view
|
||||
- Ignoring contrary evidence
|
||||
- Refusing to exit losing trade
|
||||
- Doubling down on mistakes
|
||||
|
||||
**Why it happens:**
|
||||
- Need to be right
|
||||
- Selective perception
|
||||
- Ego protection
|
||||
- Prior commitment
|
||||
|
||||
**How to avoid:**
|
||||
- Actively seek contrary evidence
|
||||
- Play devil's advocate
|
||||
- Follow price action, not opinion
|
||||
- Be wrong quickly
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Discipline Framework
|
||||
|
||||
### Pre-Trade
|
||||
|
||||
**Checklist before EVERY trade:**
|
||||
- [ ] Meets setup criteria?
|
||||
- [ ] R:R acceptable?
|
||||
- [ ] Position size calculated?
|
||||
- [ ] Stop-loss identified?
|
||||
- [ ] Within daily risk limit?
|
||||
- [ ] Calm and focused?
|
||||
- [ ] Following plan?
|
||||
|
||||
**If ANY "no" → Don't trade**
|
||||
|
||||
### During Trade
|
||||
|
||||
**Rules while in position:**
|
||||
- Check portfolio 2-3x max per day
|
||||
- Don't watch every tick
|
||||
- Trust your stop
|
||||
- Don't interfere unless rule-based
|
||||
- Avoid social media/chat
|
||||
|
||||
### Post-Trade
|
||||
|
||||
**After every trade:**
|
||||
- Log trade in journal
|
||||
- Note what went right/wrong
|
||||
- Capture lessons
|
||||
- Review compliance
|
||||
- Don't dwell on outcome
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Emotional State Management
|
||||
|
||||
### Pre-Market Routine
|
||||
|
||||
**Daily checklist (15-30 min):**
|
||||
- [ ] Adequate sleep (7+ hours)?
|
||||
- [ ] Hydrated and fed?
|
||||
- [ ] Calm and centered?
|
||||
- [ ] No major life stress?
|
||||
- [ ] Ready to accept losses?
|
||||
- [ ] Following plan today?
|
||||
|
||||
**If feeling off → Reduce size or skip day**
|
||||
|
||||
### Recognizing Tilt
|
||||
|
||||
**Warning signs:**
|
||||
- Increasing position size
|
||||
- Abandoning stops
|
||||
- Taking marginal setups
|
||||
- Checking P&L constantly
|
||||
- Feeling anxious/desperate
|
||||
- Anger at market
|
||||
- Rushing into trades
|
||||
|
||||
**When tilting:**
|
||||
1. STOP immediately
|
||||
2. Close positions
|
||||
3. Walk away
|
||||
4. Physical reset (exercise)
|
||||
5. Don't resume until calm
|
||||
|
||||
### Cool-Down Periods
|
||||
|
||||
**After any loss:**
|
||||
- Minimum 15-30 minutes
|
||||
- Walk, breathe, reset
|
||||
- Review trade objectively
|
||||
- Return only when calm
|
||||
|
||||
**After 2 consecutive losses:**
|
||||
- 1 hour minimum
|
||||
- Full review of both trades
|
||||
- Confirm plan compliance
|
||||
- Reduce size if continuing
|
||||
|
||||
**After 3 consecutive losses:**
|
||||
- DONE for the day
|
||||
- Full day review tomorrow
|
||||
- Don't force it
|
||||
- Tomorrow is new day
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Mindset Shifts
|
||||
|
||||
### From Outcome to Process
|
||||
|
||||
**Wrong focus:**
|
||||
- "I need to make $X today"
|
||||
- "I need to win this trade"
|
||||
- "I can't afford to lose"
|
||||
|
||||
**Right focus:**
|
||||
- "Did I follow my plan?"
|
||||
- "Was my risk management correct?"
|
||||
- "What can I learn?"
|
||||
|
||||
### From Prediction to Probabilities
|
||||
|
||||
**Wrong thinking:**
|
||||
- "This trade WILL work"
|
||||
- "I know what market will do"
|
||||
- "I can't be wrong"
|
||||
|
||||
**Right thinking:**
|
||||
- "This has good probability"
|
||||
- "I don't know, but R:R is good"
|
||||
- "I can be wrong and still profitable"
|
||||
|
||||
### From Money to Process
|
||||
|
||||
**Wrong focus:**
|
||||
- Daily P&L
|
||||
- "How much did I make?"
|
||||
- Comparing to others
|
||||
|
||||
**Right focus:**
|
||||
- Plan compliance
|
||||
- "Did I execute well?"
|
||||
- Personal improvement
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Handling Losses
|
||||
|
||||
### Accept Losses as Business Cost
|
||||
|
||||
**Truth:**
|
||||
- Losses are inevitable
|
||||
- Even 70% win rate = 30% losses
|
||||
- Losses are data, not failure
|
||||
- Cost of doing business
|
||||
|
||||
**Mindset:**
|
||||
- "This is expected"
|
||||
- "I planned for this"
|
||||
- "On to next trade"
|
||||
- No emotion
|
||||
|
||||
### Learn from Every Loss
|
||||
|
||||
**After each loss ask:**
|
||||
- Did I follow my plan?
|
||||
- Was setup valid?
|
||||
- Was risk management correct?
|
||||
- What can I improve?
|
||||
|
||||
**Categories of losses:**
|
||||
1. **Good loss:** Followed plan, just didn't work
|
||||
2. **Bad loss:** Broke rules
|
||||
3. **Learning loss:** New insight gained
|
||||
|
||||
**Good losses are OK. Learn from bad ones.**
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Handling Wins
|
||||
|
||||
### Don't Get Overconfident
|
||||
|
||||
**After big win:**
|
||||
- Resist urge to increase size
|
||||
- Follow plan as always
|
||||
- One win doesn't mean edge
|
||||
- Stay humble
|
||||
|
||||
### Avoid Euphoria
|
||||
|
||||
**Warning signs:**
|
||||
- Feeling invincible
|
||||
- "I figured it out"
|
||||
- Itching to trade more
|
||||
- Looking for any setup
|
||||
|
||||
**Remedy:**
|
||||
- Stick to plan
|
||||
- Take break if needed
|
||||
- Remember: regression to mean
|
||||
- Past performance ≠ future
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Daily Practices
|
||||
|
||||
### Morning
|
||||
|
||||
**Before market open:**
|
||||
- Review plan
|
||||
- Check emotional state
|
||||
- Set intentions
|
||||
- Prepare workspace
|
||||
- Identify setups
|
||||
- Set risk limits
|
||||
|
||||
### During Session
|
||||
|
||||
**While trading:**
|
||||
- Follow checklist
|
||||
- One trade at a time
|
||||
- Take breaks
|
||||
- Stay hydrated
|
||||
- Avoid news during trades
|
||||
- Trust process
|
||||
|
||||
### Evening
|
||||
|
||||
**After market close:**
|
||||
- Journal all trades
|
||||
- Calculate P&L
|
||||
- Review compliance
|
||||
- Note lessons
|
||||
- Prepare for tomorrow
|
||||
- Disconnect from markets
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Accountability Systems
|
||||
|
||||
### Trade Journal
|
||||
|
||||
**Required entries:**
|
||||
- Setup and reasoning
|
||||
- Emotional state
|
||||
- Rule compliance
|
||||
- Mistakes made
|
||||
- Lessons learned
|
||||
|
||||
### Performance Review
|
||||
|
||||
**Weekly:**
|
||||
- Win rate
|
||||
- Avg win/loss
|
||||
- Compliance %
|
||||
- Emotional patterns
|
||||
- Improvement areas
|
||||
|
||||
**Monthly:**
|
||||
- Full performance analysis
|
||||
- Goal progress
|
||||
- Strategy refinement
|
||||
- Psychological assessment
|
||||
|
||||
### External Accountability
|
||||
|
||||
**Consider:**
|
||||
- Trading buddy
|
||||
- Mentor
|
||||
- Trading journal app
|
||||
- Community (carefully)
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Meditation & Mindfulness
|
||||
|
||||
### Why It Helps
|
||||
|
||||
**Benefits for traders:**
|
||||
- Emotional regulation
|
||||
- Impulse control
|
||||
- Focus and clarity
|
||||
- Stress reduction
|
||||
- Better decisions
|
||||
|
||||
### Simple Practice
|
||||
|
||||
**Daily meditation (10 min):**
|
||||
1. Sit comfortably
|
||||
2. Focus on breath
|
||||
3. Notice thoughts
|
||||
4. Return to breath
|
||||
5. No judgment
|
||||
|
||||
**Before trading:**
|
||||
- 5 minutes breathing
|
||||
- Center yourself
|
||||
- Set intention
|
||||
- Begin calm
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Physical Health
|
||||
|
||||
### Sleep
|
||||
|
||||
**Critical for trading:**
|
||||
- 7-9 hours minimum
|
||||
- Consistent schedule
|
||||
- No trading if tired
|
||||
- Sleep > trading
|
||||
|
||||
### Exercise
|
||||
|
||||
**Benefits:**
|
||||
- Stress management
|
||||
- Mental clarity
|
||||
- Emotional regulation
|
||||
- Energy levels
|
||||
|
||||
**Recommendation:**
|
||||
- 30 min daily minimum
|
||||
- Before or after trading
|
||||
- Not during market hours
|
||||
|
||||
### Nutrition
|
||||
|
||||
**Avoid:**
|
||||
- Excessive caffeine
|
||||
- Sugar spikes
|
||||
- Trading hungry
|
||||
|
||||
**Prefer:**
|
||||
- Balanced meals
|
||||
- Steady energy
|
||||
- Hydration
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Dealing with Drawdowns
|
||||
|
||||
### Normal Part of Trading
|
||||
|
||||
**Reality:**
|
||||
- All traders have drawdowns
|
||||
- Expect them
|
||||
- Plan for them
|
||||
- Survive them
|
||||
|
||||
### During Drawdown
|
||||
|
||||
**Actions:**
|
||||
1. Review all trades
|
||||
2. Verify plan compliance
|
||||
3. Reduce position size
|
||||
4. Take break if needed
|
||||
5. Focus on process
|
||||
6. Trust recovery
|
||||
|
||||
**Don't:**
|
||||
- Increase size to "get back"
|
||||
- Abandon plan
|
||||
- Change strategy mid-stream
|
||||
- Panic
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Quotes for Mindset
|
||||
|
||||
**"The goal of a successful trader is to make the best trades. Money is secondary."** - Alexander Elder
|
||||
|
||||
**"In trading, the impossible happens about twice a year."** - Henri M. Simoes
|
||||
|
||||
**"The market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient."** - Warren Buffett
|
||||
|
||||
**"The most important quality for an investor is temperament, not intellect."** - Warren Buffett
|
||||
|
||||
**"Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No. 2: Don't forget rule No. 1."** - Warren Buffett
|
||||
|
||||
**"It's not whether you're right or wrong, but how much money you make when you're right and how much you lose when you're wrong."** - George Soros
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Psychological Checklist
|
||||
|
||||
**Before trading session:**
|
||||
- [ ] Adequate sleep
|
||||
- [ ] Calm and focused
|
||||
- [ ] No major stress
|
||||
- [ ] Following plan
|
||||
- [ ] Prepared to lose
|
||||
- [ ] No revenge mindset
|
||||
|
||||
**During trading:**
|
||||
- [ ] Checking P&L minimally
|
||||
- [ ] Following checklist
|
||||
- [ ] Taking breaks
|
||||
- [ ] Trusting stops
|
||||
- [ ] No tilt signs
|
||||
|
||||
**After trading:**
|
||||
- [ ] Journaled all trades
|
||||
- [ ] Reviewed objectively
|
||||
- [ ] Noted lessons
|
||||
- [ ] Disconnected
|
||||
- [ ] Ready for tomorrow
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
## Summary
|
||||
|
||||
**Trading psychology is:**
|
||||
- 50% of success
|
||||
- Controllable
|
||||
- Improvable
|
||||
- Critical
|
||||
|
||||
**Master these:**
|
||||
- Emotional control
|
||||
- Discipline
|
||||
- Process focus
|
||||
- Loss acceptance
|
||||
- Patience
|
||||
|
||||
**Remember:**
|
||||
- Markets are uncertain
|
||||
- Outcomes are random
|
||||
- Process is controllable
|
||||
- Discipline wins long-term
|
||||
|
||||
**Your edge isn't prediction. It's consistency.**
|
||||
Reference in New Issue
Block a user