When I started trading, a trade in profit was a thrill. A winning trade was a rare but glorious occasion. A losing position or losing trade was the opposite, and much more frequent. I was emotionaly affected by every pip of every trade.
Over the years, Ive managed to replace emotional attachment to trades with a growing faith in the long term results of my method.
I finally understand what experienced traders mean when they say that losing trades are a part of the business. Ive also learned that losing trades are the best way to learn how to trade.
My pyscological response is different now because my perspective when it comes to trading is radically different.
This is my general philosophy:
I dont make PREDICTIONS. I look for OPTIMUM OPPORTUNITIES to take CALCUALTED RISKS.
I cant PREDICT price, so I dont try. If I go long, its not because I THINK the market is going up. If I go short, its not because I THINK the market is going down.
I go long if a LOW RISK OPPORTUNITY presents itself that will allow me to CAPITALIZE if the market happens to go up. I go short if a LOW RISK OPPORTUNITY presents itself that will allow me CAPITALIZE if the market happens to go down.
IF I LOSE, its not because I was WRONG. IF I WIN its not because I was RIGHT. As a matter of fact, my DEFAULT EXPECTATION is that my trade will END UP LOSING. HOWEVER, my DEFAULT LONG TERM EXPECTATION Is that the AGGREGATE result of my method as a whole will RENDER A PROFIT IN THE END.
I dont see it as a matter of WINNING or LOSING. The emphasis isnt on WINNING %. The emphasis is on LONG TERM RESULTS.
This mindset allows me to take the emotional attachment out of trading. These days, I simply think of WINNING and LOSING trades as PART OF THE BUSINESS. I dont get HIGH on my WINS because I know a LOSS is sure to follow. I dont get low on a LOSS because I know WITH TIME, the OVERALL NET RESULT WILL BE POSITIVE.
Thats the way I see it. Happy trading and best of luck guys. I wish everyone nothing but success.