Psychology of Trading
This is my thoughts on the psychology of trading, my own personal opinion, based on investing since the late 1970s and the many books I have read both in investing , the classes at UNL Grad School and SLU medical school.
1styou must find your style. Here the Zichy test can help you a lot. It’s found on page 27 (?) of Peter J Tanous’ book “The Wealth Equation”. I can send as an insert the test to you. Regina and I can score it for you. If you are honest with yourself, I am willing to copy the recommendations for your trading style. I will tell you right now I am a Blue Innovator. At Portland several people took the test and seemed to be grateful. Knowing your trading style is very important.
2nd In finance class at UNL I was told to paper trade at least a year. I suggest paper trade until you find your niche. Scalper apply at Kingstree Trading and let them train you. You will become a market maker like a friend of mine and gama scalp. Day learning everything you can and Day Trade until you losses are not greater than you gains over 9 months or more. Swing Trader? Practice by paper trading until you get it right. Long Term Trader like me (my time horizon is four months to several years) or Warren Buffett and Michael Burry MD If a scalping is your niche maybe you should apply at Kingstree Trading in Chicago, where they will train you and if you make the cut they will furnish you with the funds you need. You will need a coach for a while. Take classes from the trainer you like best. I like Long Term Trading. Years ago my “Yes” moment occurred. I had taken those classes to save the practice of medicine but investing was/is fun. Once it is fun the steps you have to take will no longer seem burdensome. Continue to paper trade a bit longer but every time a trade goes wrong give up something you really like (for me no ice cream for a couple of weeks). The trivial of your pursuit will no longer seem trivia but fun. Now is the time to commit real money to you trading. And time to find a coach/trainer. You should fast become a competent trader/investor. If long term investing is your style, stick with John K but tell John your style. (Aside: When I was a teenager a caddy for an unknown golfer in the US Open from South Africa, Gary Player ranked now as number 8 by Golf Digest, he came in 2nd. I noticed that Gary Player brought a coach with him. The three of us sat in the club house and the two us discussed with Gary his play for the day stroke by stroke. He was most interested when the shot was not perfect. I am sure that Gary was much better than his coach or I). You will slowly become a master trader/investor. I think off hand it takes ten years so be patient.
When you think you have read enough, you haven’t. The four legs to the table are psychology, chart –reading, fundamental analysis and technical analysis (add Greeks for option trading).