There’s always a lot of discussion about routine and rituals when it comes to trading successfully. At the moment, this approach seems to work best for me.
Keeping a clear mindset and staying relaxed is important, but you still need to remain alert and focused. It sometimes feels a bit superstitious (and I’m definitely not someone who believes in that sort of thing), but there does seem to be a correlation between certain habits and better results.
Kopparberg – the secret ingredient?
For me, cracking open a cheeky Kopparberg sets the perfect mental stage (the fridge is always stocked).
Some other full-timers think it’s madness, but it works for me. While most traders need to sharpen their focus, I usually need to calm down a little, so one or two drinks during a session does the job. It’s one of the perks that makes this a great lifestyle. Where else could you do that without consequences? Sometimes it’s the small wins that make the job fun.
With summer coming, I’ll need a bit of discipline to stay in and trade the evening races. The opportunity is too good to ignore, but you’ve also got to enjoy life. A bit of balance is needed. In fact, research shows a positive relationship between relaxation and performance.
By the end of the summer, who knows, it might make for quite a story.
A serious point
On a more sensible note, trading while drunk is a terrible idea, so don’t do that. But trading while relaxed, with a drink you enjoy, can be helpful. Today was a pretty average but consistent day…
I probably cut it a bit close. As I write this, the alcohol is kicking in slightly more, but thankfully, the day’s trading is over and the clean sheet remains.
And now… off to the pub.
Related Article: April Trading Rewards
5 thoughts on “My Trading Rituals… and the Fuel Behind Them”
You should check this site out before betting How2Bet
hmmmm,, a little french stubby cold beer mid-session has often done the same for me, to take the edge off things — > but then re-read that and consider! The first few swigs have actually helped – but by the end of even a tiny beer I’ve been hindered, with mistakes that can only be attributed to the alcohol. Literally, took >the edge< off me! Each to their own of course, but I'd suggest pouring a small glass to calm the nerves if that works, and save most of the bottle for afters. That mid-session stubby has too many times been my undoing, with nice consistent results blown away in one trade close to the end of a session... Always prefer a good cuppa T now, as it doesn't introduce any new risks, whereas with alco, always a chance yr brain can doubt itself when the pressure moments come. Just my 0.2p, yr P/L always speaks of far more success than mine anyway, so its all relative to each individual and no-one knows yu better than you. I chimed with a recent post you made about going out for a run and then steaming thru the markets when yu got back tho.. Dr Andrew Menaker (a favourite trading psychologist of mine) always suggests to do something physical & get the blood moving. Check Popdoc Trader / Resources. He's just done a new webinar on TraderKingdom but I ain't heard it yet.... As yu always say, execution is everything 😉 All the best, always refreshing in itself to read yr bloG 🙂
Brilliant Blog!
What a way to make a living eh Caan? Sitting there with the sun streaming in, drinking a chilled Koppy and making £300+ per day …. not a bad life eh? Dave.
Yeah not that bad when you put it like that is it mate 🙂 only gonna get better with the flat kicking in!!