lost enthausiasm

[to75ne]

i’m in a bit of a dilemma and would appreciate others opinions/advice (no matter if you consider yourself good or bad at trading, all opinions are valid).

i usually enjoy trading, apart from the odd day or so, for the last 2 to 3 months i have not. i have had 6 losing days in just under 9 weeks. so i am not fed up because i have forgotten or lost the ability to trade profitably.

it never feels satisfying anymore. i don’t know why it just does not. i have decided not to trade for about a week. i don’t intend to fire up ba until next thursday or friday assuming my general mood/feelings towards trading have improved.

does anyone else ever get like this?

if so, how did you/do you over come it?

my attitude towards trading is getting less enthusiastic day by day, is it time for me to consider a longer term break i.e. several weeks or maybe a month or more?

any advice (or opinions) would be greatly appreciated, as i really want to ( I think I do !) get my enthusiasm and the enjoyment i have had from trading for past 4 or 5 years.

thanks in advance.

[rubysglory]

Sound like you are experiencing burnout. For me, I have found that I began to enjoy my trading more when I treated it as a 'normal' job. Like most jobs, you must have some pre-arranged working hours. Time for work, time to play and time to rest. I keep a diary of race days that I want to trade on and block that time out in my diary. I have made a time committment. At the end of the day I turn off the computer and audio and video links and do not look again until my next 'appointment'. Like any other job, some times you just needs a break.

rg

[LeTiss]

I felt exactly the same for much of the past 12 months, but in hindsight, I think I was guilty of working too many hours and just became burnt out

In July, my girlfriend and I are going to Australia for 5 weeks. We're flying to Adelaide & then driving to Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Cairns & then flying to Perth.

I've been so looking forward to it that it's re-energised my trading. Over the past 2 months, I've made more money than any other 2 month period before. I think the lesson is that trading can be draining, and this can have an impact on your general state of mind, so taking breaks or holidays is an important part of staying mentally fresh

[JollyGreen]

Hi

I went through the same thing and although RubysGlory suggested burnout I know mine was not that.

I almost knew this would happen so I decided to mix trading with other business interests. This included activities totally unrelated to horse racing or sport. I also made more of an effort to enjoy my family life and not get obsessed with sitting in front of a PC. When I started this lark I used to sit in front of a PC for ~16 hours per day. The only breaks were for eating sleeping and toilet breaks

This is my take on things; I am not saying this is your problem but it may help you to understand what your problem is. I find that a lot of people trade almost non-stop out of fear they will miss some great opportunities. This invariably means a lot will fail as they chase the Holy Grail. Those who survive can then suffer burnout as RG mentioned or they will realise there is always another day and actually they are not missing great opportunities. The latter can result in a bit of malaise setting in and this in turn brings on a lack of enthusiasm. Does any of this sound familiar? Basically the brain need stimulation and whilst trading requires skill and concentration the brain will see it as the "same old thing!"

May I suggest you take up a hobby, perhaps revive an old one or maybe have another business interest? Try and increase your brain activity in another way - I don't mean mensa tests, I just mean seek stimulation from another sphere.

Some people can sit in front of the PC and trade without issue; I am not one of them and it seems neither are you.

Good luck

JG

[hgodden]

I've had this before a few times, but it has come back. A good break may well help as has been suggested. I also find it very much helps to be using your trading to work towards something that you really wan, some big goal you have (not so much in cash terms) which I personally find a lot more inspiring than just trying to make X amount of cash or just pay the bills.

Good luck and try not to worry about it too much which could only make it worse, this kind of thing probably happens to everyone now and then. Eventually you'll probably get it back, if not then maybe it'll give you a push to try something that will inspire you a little more

[Euler]

I can relate to this as well.

I've pursued a lot of angles simply for the challenge of it but when I looked at a lot of stuff I was doing, some of it was taking up a lot of my, valuable, time for a reward that would make little material difference to me. Therefore I started to drop some of this activity in favour of doing something completely different and that's recharged me in other areas. That said you still need to invest time and effort to your activity to keep it moving forward, don't forget that.

I took up playing the piano at Christmas and that has proved an enjoyable distraction. I am also working with a Phd on some of the finer points in the market as that's a nice challenge.
Since the financial crisis I have also returned to vigour to my investing stuff. At the end of the day I think it's all about balance.

[Alpha322]

6 losing days in just under 9 weeks. so i am not fed up because i have forgotten or lost the ability to trade profitably.

.

I am experianceing this now, its called drawdown the best cure is to shutdown shop for a while, or play for much smaller stakes till you find your edge, i went back to normaliseing the ladder and back on track

[jimrobo]

would definately need a bit of a break and try to balance your traidng with some more leisure stuff.

I have been training for the manchester 10 k (if anyone wants to sponsor me....!!) and it really helps take your mind off trading. Trading at this time of year is tough. Finishing at 8:30/9PM and then having to wind down and pretty much do it every day is mentally very tough IMHO. Definately need a bit of a break and you;ll feel refreshed. I tend to take lots of small breaks away rather than 1 big one.

[JollyGreen]

JimRobo - Do you have a sponsorship link, I am happy to donate a few quid!

[Euler]

Stick up a link for sure. I've donate extra if you get under 40mins.

[Iron]

Why not set yourself a daily profit target, and knock off for the day when you've hit it?

Jeff

Trading at this time of year is tough. Finishing at 8:30/9PM and then having to wind down and pretty much do it every day is mentally very tough IMHO.

[LeTiss]

Why not set yourself a daily profit target, and knock off for the day when you've hit it?

Jeff

I've found that attitude doesn't work. You will never make the same amount each day as a trader. Some days you will fall short, so you feel this burning desire to play catch up tomorrow. Then when you're having an extra good day, you don't want to stop because you know a crappy day is just around the corner

[Euler]

I agree, I never set targets. I just do the best each day. You also wouldn't want to stop if you are having a good day you want to make the most of it. I tend to play defensive and if the day is working out I push harder as the day goes on.

[jimrobo]

JimRobo - Do you have a sponsorship link, I am happy to donate a few quid!

Stick up a link for sure. I've donate extra if you get under 40mins.

Thats very kind I wasn;t actually touting for sponsors I was only joking really!! I'll send my justgiving address on via pm I don;t want to spam the forum and if you find any loose change down the back of the sofa that would be very kind of you guys to donate it.

Peter there is NO way I would get 40 mins!! That is a seriously quick time!! Plus I am doing it in fancy dress! I have a full foam lifeboat costume! Apparantly complete with radar hat!! I am slightly worried about how heavy it is as I've been told its like a canoe!

[rubysglory]

In July, my girlfriend and I are going to Australia for 5 weeks. We're flying to Adelaide & then driving to Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Cairns & then flying to Perth.

Hi LT. A suggested route Adelaide to Melbourne if you are looking for help. Keeps you of the main drag for a bit and you see a nice bit of the country. Suggested stops Barossa Valley - the Novatel at Rowland Flat is magnificent (1.50 hour from Adelaide Airport), next Wentworth (Coomealla), Bendigo if there is Horse Racing (a great track) and then onto Melbourne (perhaps a night at the Crown Casino). Total trip Adelaide to Melbourne 1000 KM.

rg