These Commandments of Trading Discipline are time tested bits of wisdom that will help lead any trader that implements them to trading mastery!
1) Trade free from fundamental prejudices. Hold no judgment on a stock. Don’t try to rationalize a losing position or fall in love with a winning one. A stock may have its “Fundamental Truths,” but the “Absolute Truth” is its price.
2) Focus on proper trading strategies, and not on making money. Money is merely a consequence of skill level, or lack thereof. As long as you trade with unwavering discipline and don’t review prior trades with a berating “should have” mode of thinking. Both winning and losing trades should be reviewed during your journey towards trading mastery.
3) Develop a trading style that is consistent with your personality and philosophy. Trade your personality!
4) Determine the reward-risk ratio of each trade before entering. Risking the farm to make peanuts is unwise. Create the plan BEFORE the trade, not DURING!
5) At times the best action is no action. Don’t search for action and think that you must trade every day.
6) Trade with the trend since stock prices flow in the direction of least resistance. If a stock goes against the trend you expected, get out. When in doubt, stay out or get out.
7) There is no room for emotions in trading. Disciplined traders can observe the market from the perspective as if they are not in a position, even when they are. Do what the market is telling you, not what you think it should do.
8) Make the market come to you. If it doesn’t play “your hand, in your world,” step aside. Be strict, be disciplined, and be patient, and never trade when physically or mentally unfit.
9) The true battle is not with the market, but learning how to control your own emotional impulses, psychological demons, and human nature. Many internal battles of letting fear and greed interfere with logic and discipline can unfortunately result in painful losses. Keep your losses small using appropriately placed stops based on technical analysis.
10) There are no “holy grail’s,” magic software, or shortcuts to success. Professional traders never cease being students of the markets. Spend time daily developing yourself to be a better person and trader and take responsibility for your own trades and actions.
It’s my hope that these “commandments” that I and many others traders follow “religiously” will help you on your journey to becoming a profitable trader and investor. If you have a passion for trading or would like to find out if you do, consider joining the group and let’s take your trading journey together. More information about the group can be found at the following link: https://livetraders.com/groups/detail/2b144965-1248-4117-a8e0-be3f70c5725d
