I am a great proponent of utilizing your intuition, instinct and 'gut' feelings.

However, In trading - and day trading especially, your instincts can be wrong most of the time

...and almost all the time when you are trading scared or under pressure. Your instincts will be wrong when you are feeling emotional and you are 'second guessing' your rules or your plan.

When you look back over a period of time and ask yourself 'If I had done the opposite of what I did do in the last 1-2 weeks, or if someone had tricked me into buying a put instead of a call or a call instead of a put - 'my trading account would have done wonderfully!'

What does that tell you?

It does not tell you that you are stupid or don't know what you are doing.

'So, what does that tell me Karen?

It tells you that you are normal!

Almost all traders have felt like this at some stage in their trading life and it was telling them the same thing as it is telling you NOW.

Trading any market is about human emotion. The markets driver is emotion.

You must have trading rules and a trading plan and most importantly, you must be able to stick to your rules and plan under ALL trading conditions.

Sounds easy huh?

Well, if you have been trading for any length of time, you know that it is easier said than done. Particularly in the early stages of your trading journey.

Once you start trading scared or nervously - you will continue to make mistakes if you do not stick to your trading plan.

When you are trading under pressure - it will feel like you are doing the right thing by veering away from your plan and the rules that you have set down.

If you can look at your recent trading history and can really say that if you had have bought a put instead of a call or a call instead of a put - then you instincts are indeed probably wrong.

You can't trade off gut feel you have to trade off rules - let you intuition be your back up guide but never trade on instinct, intuition or 'gut' alone.

Again, I stipulate.

Trade off rules!

Stick to your plan!

'So, Karen, what are the keys to sticking to my plan and keeping to my rules?'

I hear you say.

Understanding yourself and how your mind works, is key.Having processes in place to best manage your time and how you trade, is key.Having faith and belief in what you are doing, is key.Utilizing the power of your unconscious mind to ensure your beliefs are aligned with your conscious desires, is key.

Are you sick and tired of the emotional roller coaster of trading and want to be able to stick to your rules?

Want to know more?

Karen Oates is a seasoned options trader and mindset coach who excels at helping traders understand themselves and the stock market by using a 'keep it simple' trading plan and the mind tools of success through mastery of mindset, focus, behaviors, beliefs and strategies.

Karen is certified as a:
Master NLP Practitioner
Master Results Coach
Performance Consultant
Specializing in Advanced Subconscious Reprogramming and Master Hypnosis

Check out how you can use the best tools and techniques to become the successful trader you want to be! http://www.outofmymindtrading.com/

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