The video is long, feel free to use speed settings :) Thanks for your interest in the last post about the Major mistakes traders do. Now let's talk about coping emotionally with losers. This is Part 1.
๐We all know this feeling, it feels awful, hopeless like something very valuable has been taken from us, like it destroys our work and plans and it feels BAD. Who am I to speak on this topic. 4 year of trading experience, lost maybe 25 funding challenges over the course of 3 years, got 2 times funded the previous year and lost these funded accounts. Had multiple losers, out of which many just stamped me emotionally. Over time I developed coping skills to better prepare for these -1โs and though Iโm far from being really good at it, Iโm definitely a bit better than I was some time before. And this is my ultimate guide to feeling a little bit better after a -1.
๐First of all, congrats - if youโre still here, it means youโre interested in the topic and by watching videos like these from me or other traders, and thinking, and trying to become better, youโll do it eventually. Yes, with time you better find one source of education that really sticks to you, and for me, itโs the method.. but even other videos can build some foundation for your work in this direction.
๐As pointed out in the Mental Game of Trading, Our brain functions in 3 layers, so to say - automated habits, emotional brain, and rational. The thing is, emotions can really block rational thinking. Itโs physical and happens in your brain. It literally changes our chemistry. Accept the fact we can't accept losers fully. It will always feel shite, but with time and a good strategy of preparation, it will get better. So this is a Stoic principle applied to trading, be prepared for the worst-case scenario, how? Expect it to happen, and know itโs inevitable and youโll feel bad. Paradoxically, it allows you to feel a little bit better when it actually happens.
๐Notes and full diary, you want to know all about how you behave in the markets so that you recognize the build-up of emotions and can prepare better for the next inevitable loser, and in case you understand you need to stop because youโll become too emotional - than youโll be able to stop. How diaries work is that you know all your triggers, and patterns, in a way that nothing is new to you about how you feel about the market and how you react to certain situations. ๐Appreciate yourself and your work! gratitude - videos, practice, mooji. appreciate the work you did, especially if the loss comes out from a high-quality setup. Many people turn too much attentions to their flaws while forgetting recognizing their powerful sides. Whatโs your super power - holding to TP, sticking to max trades per day, not overrisking, really going through the checklist.
๐Awareness doesnโt equal control. You can control things only to some extent, but when emotions really kick in, itโs too late. Thatโs why people very often say: I understand everything, but I canโt stop. Yes, my friend this is how emotional brain works - it leaves with no control over the actions. Awareness doesnโt equal control. If you feel bad, you need to STOP, because in that state losers will feel especially bad.
๐Trade less, a lot less. Good traders and my experience.
๐Record a trade as a -1 in a journal once you started it - Mentโs video.