Zen Trading Tech

1. Intro
2. Last Night

Intro

One of the great things about trading is that it is constantly teaching me to let go.

I cannot control the outcome no matter what.

I can control the process.

I can select a reasonable entry.

I can select the correct stop.

I can select as appropriate target based on the traders equation.

I can select a reasonable exit.

I can match my style of trading the current price action.

I can shift when the market shifts, like a surfer when the wind changes.

Each trade is a chance to practice a process.

And I control that process.

Last Night

Last night I traded poorly.

The afternoon I had traded exceptionally well.

I did not check in on euphoria before I began.

I did not follow my pre-trading routine.

I did take 3 of the 4 best trades.

I did take the correct stop.

I did not manage them well.

I let an early mistake dictate the rest of my session.

I prevented myself from taking the correct exits.

Should I give up on my trading career? No.

I can work on the process.

I can choose not to trade because of earlier winners.

I can practice having my first trade a loser and then calmly trading the market and not my need to get even.

By focusing on what I can control, I shift blame to responsibility.

By accepting mistakes as they are, a chance to learn, I create space for new development to occur.

If I think I am too good to make mistakes, I limit my future.

Luckily I have developed enough self-awareness to know when I’m not trading my best.

Luckily I have developed the self-esteem not to confuse myself with my performance.

Trading is a great place to practice this character development.