Submitted by: Janet Schlarbaum

By: Leroy Rushing
There are many methods to build superior trading habits. Good trading habits will make trading a part of routine, rather than a task. Getting in the habit of doing everything exactly to plan will boost trading profits, marking one more step in the path to financial freedom.

1. Trading Discipline - Following your own trading plan is very important to success. When emotions are left to go as they please, it is easier to lose track of your portfolio. Proven techniques and strategies should not be edited for any reason; follow the plan and let it work for you.

2. Look at Every Time Frame - Even when trading short 5 minute ticks, it is important to evaluate all timeframes for market data. It just might happen that a 200 day moving average is acting to support your position. You’ll never know this unless you take the time to study all timeframes rather than just a few. Long term trends can and do impact short term trading positions. Day traders are more susceptible to trading in only one timeframe because of how time-sensitive their investments are. Swing traders are probably used to checking multiple timeframes for entry points.

3. Trade As Your Capital Allows - Day traders are able to access high levels of margin that can greatly exceed their trading capital. Overextension of credit is dangerous and can compound losses just as easily as gains. Momentum trading with many different entry points can end up in costly mistakes if your account becomes overextended.

4. Understanding Risk - Managing risk is the difference between gambling and investing. Profitable traders can quickly calculate how much of a drawdown they are willing to incur before cutting a position. It is important to have a plan for pruning losses and minimizing the damage of drawdown. 5. Stick to Your Niche - Niche trading or only trading in your specific area of study is the best way to stay profitable. Too often do traders get bored with inactivity, only to take positions that are out of their trading knowledge. Sticking to what you do best keeps your account from being overextended in too many positions and minimizes loss. If you are best in high volume trading, then only trade during periods of high volume. Finding your trading niche will help you to become more a more efficient trader.

6. Trading is Affected by Emotion - It can be difficult to get away from trading. Holding positions overnight can only double the amount of stress that comes with having open positions.

Submitted by: Janet Schlarbaum

By: Leroy Rushing

Even the best traders in the market have trading sessions that are less than optimal. Human nature dictates that we make mistakes, and trading the stock market is no exception. Subsequently, there is always room for improvement, whether you are a novice trader or a seasoned veteran.

1. Stick to Your Guns - Don’t try to run from the market. The only way to boost trading profits is to stay in the game and keep trading. Running from the trades and the action will keep you out of the market, whether it is hot or cold. Sticking to your trading plan and enacting trading discipline are the keys to producing profits.

2. Set Stop Losses and Take Profits - “Set and forget” trading is generally profitable. When you place each trade, remember to place your exit and stop loss, and then let the market be your guide. Have a preset limit of how much you’re willing to win and how much you can lose. Technical analysis will tell you the best price for selling (near resistance) and the best place for buying (near support). Support and resistance points are the best places to put limit orders.

3. Don’t Watch Minute to Minute - Swing traders should be keen to avoiding the minute to minute movements. It’s easy to set an exit point that will not be hit for three weeks, but then close a potentially profitable trade due to minute by minute movements. There is no reason to get out of a trade for quick profits if you’re in for the long haul. Small ups and downs create temporary stress and can reduce swing traders to day traders. Niche trading works because you’re specialized in your own area.

4. Eliminate High Probability Trading - You wouldn’t expect to make consistent profits at the roulette wheel, and you shouldn’t do the same with your investments. The active, professional trader only takes quality trades opposed to quantity of trades.

5. Accept That Full-Time Day Trading Is Rough - The ups and downs of full-time day trading are very stressful. Find something you can do each day to wind down and get rid of your stressful day to day anxiety. Stress will make you think differently and trade differently. A professional trader will need to find ways to vent their frustrations as bad days do happen to the best of traders.

6. Pick Swing Traders or Day Traders - Know exactly what kind of trader you want to be. It is difficult to be very good at swing trading while following the short term movements of day trading. Define what kind of strategy you want to follow and stick with it.

7. Don’t Get Attached - You’re out to make money, not be married to a stock. Even if you’ve got the feeling that this stock is “the one,” you should be ready to dump it when the price is right.

8. Talk to Other Traders - Talk to other traders with more or different experiences. Getting a feel for the markets is paramount to producing profits.