Guaranteed Killer Approach To Trading For A Living
- by Rahul Rungta
- Published on 3/24/07
- Article views: 847
It is a common quoted statistic within the industry that in the region of 90-95% of traders/investors in the financial markets fail. Conceptually, trading looks to be an easy pursuit. With hindsight the price swings are easily identifiable and thus should be profitable and yet the above failure rate shows this is far from true.
A bystander could reach the conclusion that this group of people must be gamblers of low intelligence, even stupid, considering that many within it will continue in this vain pursuit year after year, repeatedly following the same path. Albert Einstein once said, 'The definition of an idiot; someone who repeatedly does the same thing, but expects different results, not learning from the experience'.
Yet this group will persuade themselves that it's all part of the education process, - the next system/methodology will be different - it will work, - I'm determined not to give up, I'm not a failure and will ultimately succeed, - I was unlucky ...... the list could go on. However, far from been of low intelligence or stupid, the profile of this group is in fact more often than not one of, well educated professionals, middle-class, successful business or career people of medium to high net worth.
Typically, they are successful in other walks of life, particularly in their career or business and yet they fail to make a successful transition to a trading career. Furthermore, they spend vast sums of money on trader education typically accumulating a vast library of trading books and attend numerous expensive training courses and yet they still continually fail. With these apparent advantages why is it that they continue to fail (and on many occasions spectacularly so) over a prolonged period of time? The answer is that they attribute the failings to the wrong aspect of trading and incorrectly focus on resolving this.
The 3 main aspects of trading are; - the 'Psychology' of trading, - the 'Methodology' or Systematic approach to entering/exiting trades, - the 'Money Management' of funds. However, most people focus almost exclusively on the 'methodology' (or system, often primarily using technical analysis) and give scant regard to the other two interrelated and more important elements. Consider a 'system' that has a win/loss ratio of 50% and also a risk/reward ratio of 1:1.
Such a hypothetical system is equivalent to 'tossing-a-coin' and as such, ignoring transaction costs, would merely deliver breakeven returns and yet this is an inherently better performance than the majority of the trading hopefuls. However, most traders would argue (probably correctly) that from the knowledge and experience gained from studying technical analysis that firstly their win/loss ratio was better than 50%. That is, when planning and entering a trade they have used their skill and judgment to ensure that more often than not it will move in the direction they want. (If this were not true than you may as well toss a coin to determine when to trade!).
Just a modest increase on tossing a coin, say 60%, meaning achieving 6 out of 10 winning trades should be easily achievable by applying correctly just a little knowledge. Secondly, they would argue that they can plan a trade that would have an initial minimum risk/reward ratio of 1:2, ensuring that on average, winning trades would be twice as profitable as any losing ones.
Given just a modest win/loss ratio of 60% and a risk/reward ratio of 1:2 most traders would be happy with achieving this (certainly as a launching point to a successful fulltime career). If most traders stuck to their 'rules' they probably could in fact achieve comparable results however, in practice, other factors take over; greed, fear, ego, hesitation, hope ...... Whatever the good intentions of the initial plan, quickly the 'Psychology' of trading becomes the most important aspect. It is an individual's personality traits that are ultimately the determinate of the success or failure in the execution of any system or methodology. Simply put, they don't stick to the plan for a variety of well documented reasons.
This also has a dramatic impact on the 'money management' side of trading. It becomes non-existent, unquantifiable and certainly impossible to do a risk assessment going forward when the trading style has become virtually arbitrary. If aspiring traders would only analyze past trades critically to categorize if it were in fact the system that failed or the failure was in the execution of the rules, then much progress would be made. However, this leads to another failure of novice traders in that a trading log/diary is seldom kept to allow this crucial evaluation. Final Comments Overall, unsuccessful traders rarely make the step up to a professional full-time trader because when the performance of a system doesn't match expectations they discard it and move onto they next 'system'.
However, often it is not the system that is at fault but the application or adherence to the rules of that system. If a trader has spent a number of years pursuing this unproductive path of trying to find that allusive 'system that works', then more likely the problem lies within and not in the selection of a system. If this applies to you then, get those old trading books down from the shelf and focus more on the Psychology of trading and Money Management; you know those chapters that you skipped over and felt were not that relevant to you!
If you want to succeed you need to reappraise your viewpoint and only then can you enjoy the wealth and lifestyle that is on offer to a fulltime professional trader. A highly effectively trading system is only the start and one that delivers consistent results in any market is recommended below. Choose a methodology (system) that works, stick with it and remain disciplined in its execution to ensure the success that has eluded you for so long.
Your rebirth as a trader starts now.
About The Author Garry Roberts is an entrepreneur, professional property investor and active Forex Trader. A highly recommended and successful methodology can be found through The 5 day Rapid Forex Course
Rahul Rungta is business manager. Email:articles@submit2please.com
More Articles
-
-
-
» Latest articles
-
» Highest rated articles
- Guaranteed Killer Approach To Trading For A Living
Regardless if you are trading stocks or shares, futures or options, indexes or Forex there are three main aspects that must be mastered to be a successful trader. It is a common quoted statistic within the industry that in the region of 90-95% of traders/investors in the financial markets fail. Conceptually, trading looks to be an easy pursuit.
- Guaranteed Killer Approach To Trading For A Living
Regardless if you are trading stocks or shares, futures or options, indexes or Forex there are three main aspects that must be mastered to be a successful trader. It is a common quoted statistic within the industry that in the region of 90-95% of traders/investors in the financial markets fail. Conceptually, trading looks to be an easy pursuit.
- How to Straighten Out Your Tax Affairs in 2010
Utter the word 'taxes' in front of people and you are sure hear a loud groan. Frankly, there are valid reasons behind this response: First of all, paying your taxes annually can be a financial burden, especially with the economic hard times which we are going through these days.
- Benefits of Yoga - Redefining Life, Meditation and Exercise
Yoga is a complete exercise for the mind, body and soul and it can give a person a change to know himself in a new light. Regular practice of Yoga has been known to reduce stress, increase concentration and also benefit one's overall health.
- The Best Floral Perfumes
Floral perfumes are considered the best perfumes all over the world. In fact the history of perfumes says that floral perfumes are the first perfume category of the world and thus popular also. Floral perfumes represent the essence of love and romance.
- Coffee Gift Baskets
Even a Coffee Bean or San Francisco Coffee outlet frequenter will not be able to master the art of appreciating true gourmet coffee unless they know the history and information about gourmet coffee.
- Rent a car in Israel
If you are already in Israel and wish to rent a car, then you can make a booking and tell the service to pick you up from wherever you are. The best part about car rental in Israel is that they are extremely flexible.
- Jogging - Health Benefits and How to Do it
Jogging gives joy, has positive effects on health and improves the physical condition. In the beginning, your jogging program must consist of short sessions on a plain ground, and with a moderate speed. Gradually you can lengthen the route and add intervals with higher speeds to your sessions.
- How Exercise Affects Your Cholesterol Levels
Everyone already knows that exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle even if certain people choose not to exercise at all. The fact that only around 10% of American adults exercise at least three times a week however may indicate that many people are not aware of just how beneficial exercise really can be.
- Symptoms, Causes and Treatment of Depression
The main symptom of depression is sadness or low mood level, but many other mental and physical symptoms also occur. Here are symptoms, causes and treatment options explained.
- Top 7 Benefits of Massage Therapy
Massage is a remedial procedure that is highly beneficial for the entire system of the body. Massage has several health benefits. Few of them are listed in this article.
- A History of Vintage Automobiles - From 1916 to 1924
Before cars were around, people usually traveled distances using horse-drawn carriages. But as early as 1335 several bright minds have been trying to come up with a 'horseless carriage'.
