Thursday, January 15, 2009

TRADING PLAN

Most of you have been Reading about what could be the best way to start in this world, I know, some of my blogs have been about the best for beginners, but I can avoid this one, actually, is a big next step to keep in mind.
Doesn’t matter if your plan is good or bad, even if it was or is good, you won’t know until you use it, so make whatever plan and try to be discipline for that, so you can be ready to understand the best way to make another great plan. Trading plans can be as simple or complex as you want it, but the most important thing is that you actually HAVE a plan and you FOLLOW the plan. With that said, here are some of the essentials that every trading plan should have.
These are some steps, tips, stuff you can read and writing down, try don’t forget anything, are important to you.


Routine
For me this is too important, that´s why is the first. A plan will determine three very important things: when you will analyze the market and plan your trades, when you will actually watch the market to take trades, and when you will evaluate your actions during your trading day.

System
Something else too important, so you have been working for more than 2 months in a demo account, so you can make up your mind about if this is the perfecto for you, or do you need try another one, could be better. If you are not really happy with it, it´s time to go out there and looking for another one. Include all the necessary information about your system such as: time frames you use, criteria for entries and exits, how much you risk during each trade, which currency pair(s) you trade and how many lots you trade.

Mindset
I know this can be hard for you, actually this is hard for everyone, more for beginners. Let´s suppose you have everything I said, so now you have to be careful, I know, the way you trade is for you, nobody else, but you have to know that there are so much people with you in the market, and you are one of millions. Most of traders are not getting any emotions in the market, something like, they have no emotions, neutral, so they can think clearly and this can help is a rush situation, pay attention because if you want to trade with short Frames Times this can be for you. This section of your trading plan will describe what frame of mind you will be in when you are trading.

Trading journal
It´s not the same as a routine, this will be a valuable tool to helping you become a better trader. Make sure you log all your trades and why you took them. Later down the road you can look back and evaluate your trades and see how you are progressing. I’ve looked back at my trade journal and have seen just how much I’ve grown as a trader. My first entries were very basic and as I’ve progressed, my trades make more sense to me now. I’ve gained a lot of confidence throughout my career and by looking back at my trades, I’ve really been able to evaluate myself and see if I am getting closer to my goals. This tool will help you tremendously in the long run, so take a few minutes each day and log your trades. You’ll be happy you did!

Weaknesses
You are not the only one, there are a lot of people with the same feeling. We just don’t like talking about them. But ask yourself this, “How will you ever get better, if you don’t admit to what you need to work on?” This section will be an objective way to keep track of things that you need to work on in order to become a better trader.
I don’t want to change everything about you, you are as you are, don’t waste time changing your feelings, emotions, thinking, everything, try to be careful of getting that in the market, there are people smart out there, think like them.
Goals

Don’t pretend to get millions in one day, it´s awful to think that. Don’t even think about it. Sit down and really think about what you want to accomplish as a trader. Do you want to trade for a living? How much return can you realistically expect from trading based on your knowledge and experience? Your goals don’t even have to be about making money. Maybe you would like to be more disciplined or gain more confidence. These goals can be personal. What do YOU want to get out of this? Use these goals as your motivation when times get tough. These goals will be your vision, and you must always keep your eyes on the prize!
Do you need more reasons to do this? These are the last 2
It keeps you in the right direction

Consistency is very important to have in your trading routine because it allows you to truly measure how successful you are as a trader. If you have a sound
trading system but always break your rules, how can you ever really know how good your system really is? Your trading plan will keep you on target. Read it every day and stick to it.

Trading is a business and successful businesses ALWAYS have plans
I have never seen a successful business not start out with a plan. Walmart, Mcdonals, Coca-Cola had plans and now you can look at them I’m sure almost anyone can make a better hamburger than McDonalds, but the difference between them and the individual is that they have a successful business plan that guides them to success.

The difference between a losing trader and a successful trader is the PLAN. If you have a good trading plan and you are disciplined enough to stick to it, you will be successful!
This are some steps I think can be the best for you, obviously, if you have more, you can share them with us, beginners are by millions so you can help them.


4 comments:

Unknown said...

I know how important is to have a plan, I didn’t have one, I just followed the market and trade with no reason or benefits, so after to get a goal and a way to be on, I was ready to trade.

Kata said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I haven’t though how much important is having a plan, but no I know but Im still making mine, but I want it to make right I don’t want to get in troubles, no for my knowledge but for my plan.

Unknown said...

Those are good advices for people that don’t know how to start in this market. I wasn’t sure what I was doing for a while, but seriously, when I got the MT4 I knew what people was talking about. You have to get in there, to know how to act.