Getting into a relaxed trading state is critical for success. I’ve only been trading since December of 2017, and along the way, I have learned that the most difficult part of trading profitably is learning how to shut down. Yup, you read that right; I learned how to shut down. I learned how to calm my emotions to an almost relaxed state and keep my head in the business where it should be.
Have you ever been in a situation where two people are in a heated discussion with emotions and egos flying?
And here you are, the quiet 3rd person who listens to both sides, and you come up with the sharp observation that ends the argument peacefully? You may not realize it, but you used your rational observation to predict the outcome of the argument. And thus, the appropriate solution.
You read the room, and you kept your cool. You knew that an argument was going to erupt even before you knew what the cause of the argument was. Or what the argument was even about.
You watched it escalate, you watched it reach a dead end, and you explained the rational solution. As a result, you resolved the conflict because you kept your emotions at bay until you predicted just the right moment to interject.
Using Charts for Relaxed Trading
Like the argument, the chart can be easy to read and easy to predict once you’ve spent enough time watching it.
Practicing technical analysis is very similar to developing muscle memory.
You could react to the chart on autopilot. So how can something so simple be so hard when emotions get in the way?
To answer that, let’s refer back to the argument scenario. Being the rational 3rd person is hard. But imagine if you, the 3rd person, were to be roped into the argument, having lost your ability to contain yourself and your sense of rationale.
Then, you’d be just one of three people who argue and eventually walk away in dissatisfaction. And lacking any sense of accomplishment, you thought you were right!
Recognize the Patterns
Algos aside, when you look at a live chart, you’re looking at an emotional and egotistical argument. Buyers and sellers are just fighting over what the share price should be.
Watch the chart long enough, and you’ll begin to recognize patterns and tightening tensions.
These usually precede an explosive battle of wits and egos. Your brain is practically hardwired to seek patterns and subtle changes to those movements to predict a probable outcome.
The only problem is that your heart tends to step in, and your emotions begin to distract your mind. Causing you to ignore what your rational mind is trying to tell you. Out the door goes relaxed trading.
Emotions
I’ve spent much time watching others battle their emotions while trading. And they usually end up trading very poorly when they let their emotions get the best of them.
I’ll watch as they develop a good trading plan in the way very experienced and accomplished traders expertly showed them.
They plot the expected move and figure out their price targets and stops. Does relaxed trading happen, then? Nope. They enter the trade and suddenly forget everything they worked so hard to plan.
Instead, they either take a loss or profit too soon and watch as their targets hit almost perfectly.
What happened? In the words of an epical green creature from the lore of absolute cinema greatness, “Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering”. That doesn’t sound like relaxed trading to me.
COURSE |  |  |  |
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| DESCRIPTION | Learn how to read penny stock charts, premarket preparation, target buy and sell zones, scan for stocks to trade, and get ready for live day trading action | Learn how to buy and sell options, assignment options, implement vertical spreads, and the most popular strategies, and prepare for live options trading | How to read futures charts, margin requirements, learn the COT report, indicators, and the most popular trading strategies, and prepare for live futures trading |
| INCLUDED | Daily watch lists • Trade rooms • Trading scanners • Discord • Live streaming Day Trading > | Daily watch lists • Trade rooms • Options scanners • Discord • Live streaming Options > | Futures target levels • Trade rooms • Real time teaching • Discord • Live streaming Futures > |
Know When to Enter a Trade
You enter the trade, and the next one-minute candle turns red. What happens? You see a loss on your unrealized P&L.
You realize how much money you’ve risked, and your blood runs cold. The emotions set in. You’re afraid that you may have made a mistake.
You get a little angry because your trade isn’t going your way. Then you start to hate yourself for taking such a stupid risk and smash the sell button even though the share price is still above your stop.
Now, you are suffering and begin to lose confidence in your technical analysis. You continue to watch as the share price rebounds and hits your target. Sound familiar? You are not alone, and yes, I have been there too.
Reluctantly, you enter another trade. This time, the share price hits your target quickly. At first, you are elated but wonder if this run can keep going, so you decide to stay in your position.
Next thing you know, the share price pulls back, and you feel like you have already lost a little, but it has got to bounce back up, right?
This is the very definition of FOMO, and you know all about that. Why do we hold losing trades too long? You had a trade plan that you put together before you entered the trade.
But a heated emotional and egotistical debate occurred in your mind that overtook the operation instead of relaxed trading.
Stick to the Plan
Just like being the 3rd person in the room with a level head while the other two argue, you must learn to be the 3rd voice inside your head.
The only problem is that the other two are hard of hearing. So you must do whatever is necessary to tune them out. You have to tune out fear by losing your emotional attachment to money.
Just trade the plan. You have to tune out your ego by sticking to your plan. If you want relaxed trading, you must tune out hate and suffering.
Instead, remember that you have a stop in place as part of your plan. You shut down emotion by simply trading your plan.
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Gaining Experience
Trading with the chart instead of your heart may seem easier said than done. But you must realize that your brain is already programmed to do just that. Most people realize this calm, collective, and rational state of mind when you’re at your best.
When doing something you have much experience in, it’s easy to tune out and finish the task on autopilot. Like driving to work daily or walking the kids to school, you know exactly what to expect and follow through. Sure, you’re still alert and aware of your surroundings, but for the most part, you are on autopilot.
When something surprises you, your emotions kick in, and your fight or flight system comes online, enabling you to react quickly and without thinking.
This is the point where you must evaluate those emotions and decide if this situation is a real threat or just a little obstacle. Either way, you have a plan with contingencies in place.
Is Trading a Stressful Job?
Trading is exciting and boundless. But the boundlessness is also a two way street. Letting emotions take control of your trading is a sure way to end suffering and lose out on relaxed trading.
Learn to keep your emotions subdued instead of letting them take control while you’re trading.
And realize that you can let them all out later when the business is done. You can even share those emotions with other traders, but keeping emotions out of your trading is key.
In a way, trading should almost feel boring and mundane while you are in a position. It is just business, after all. Try not to think about money; you should never have a sense of needing to make money.
Just trade the chart, and the money will come. Don’t focus on your P&L while you’re in a position. Instead, focus on trading your plan. Any emotional attachment to your trade will almost certainly lead to fear.
Fear leads to irrational actions made in anger. Anger leads to hating your decisions and irrational actions. Hatred leads to suffering a loss in your portfolio.
Final Thoughts: Relaxed Trading
I know it sounds a bit cheesy, but you must admit that you can’t deny it. The takeaway is that you must be able to observe yourself in the 3rd person occasionally.
It helps to recognize the argument inside your head when you get emotional while trading. Once you sort out the argument, your trades should run more smoothly.
