keeping it interesting

[chuck536]

Hey all,

Been trading for some time now and do ok from it, was just wondering what the chaps that been doing this for a long time do to keep is interesting, any tips?... of late although its suplementing my income nicely i seem utterly bored senseless when i trade.

Thanks in advance

Chuck

[LeTiss]

I seem to have periods of incredible boredom. I think it intensifies this time of year when I remember some brilliant work christmas parties. My works do these days, is me, my laptop and my cat.

I'm currently seriously lacking ambition. I can't see a long future in BF trading, I'm 41 with no employment history for 3-4 years, so the chances of me getting a decent job right now are nil. I went to Australia in the summer and it improved my mood, but just lately I've become pretty depressed again

[spreadbetting]

Sadly that's just another problem you encounter once you start to win by trading. As soon as you hit on a winning formula it becomes almost robotic and monotunous doing the same thing over and over.

Problem is, if you try and put some excitement into what you do you'll end up' unbalancing things and lose that edge. I've seen it happen with may traders looking for kicks to make it interesting. Most people in long term jobs hit that boredom so it's not just limited to trading.

When I worked in an office there's always plenty of things to do to make the day more interesting rather than the work interesting. You're in a n unique position working from home so just listen to music , read a book, play a guitar , watch crap on the other channel, surf for porn etc.

Don't try to make the trading more interesting there's no need it's only a few hours a day and most of us trade at certain points before the off rather than continually anyway. Just make the most of that free time as it's likely that's the time you're finding boring not the time when you're actually clicking trades.

[chuck536]

This is it LeTiss.... if i was to go back 5 months i couldnt stop trading, loved it, was making ok money then too but money seemed the be all and end all of everything! seem to have reverted the other way now though, have plenty of spare cash... trade weekends and the odd evening at mo but it just seems to be mind numbingly boring, the better i get, the more mondane it becomes :s ...........not really what i expected when i initally set out to get where i am now

[spreadbetting]

...........not really what i expected when i initally set out to get where i am now

Funnily enough I was thinking about that on the train to meet some mates on Friday night. When I started my quest to make a living trading I had a completley different view of what it'd be like to achieve it. If I'd have known then the reality of what it's become dunno if I'd have persued it depsite the 6 figure salary and working from home.

[superfrank]

i once went thru a short spell of boredom trading the nags on weekdays so stopped and traded financials full time for a while instead.

but tbh i missed the fast moving nature of trading the horses, and i enjoy watching horse racing. i've tried trading other sports but struggle for motivation on some (cricket is fine cos i love that too, but i loathe watching tennis and just can't sit thru it).

i now trade financials in the mornings and do the horses in the afternoons (while keeping an eye out for opportunities on financials). i also keep busy in between races, posting on here, reading etc.

i miss the social aspects of having a proper job, but having no boss, for me, easily makes up for that.

[Iron]

Why not get a video game that you can open in a small window, whilst keeping an eye on the market?

Or download a video and watch it in a small screen whilst watching the market?

Do you think you need a new challenge in life; something you can really get passionate about?

Jeff

I seem to have periods of incredible boredom. I think it intensifies this time of year when I remember some brilliant work christmas parties. My works do these days, is me, my laptop and my cat.

[LeTiss]

Do you think you need a new challenge in life; something you can really get passionate about?

Jeff

Yeah, maybe.

It's an area of full-time trading that I've failed in - getting the right balance between work and pleasure. I think it's been made worse by not being married, or living with someone, because I've never had an obligation to switch off from what I was doing. I was in a position to be selfish, but ended up in my own little bubble.

[Alpha322]

Dont understand it how can you get boared of making money?? maybe i dont understand it because i have fulltime employment and i see this as better than overtime

[rubysglory]

Humans, as animals, are social by nature. I love the horses, I live and breathe them but I do not trade everyday, combining my trading with some 'real work' (I work for myself which helps) and the opportunity to get out and meet people. A mate of mine does the same but does some community based volunteer work. Perhaps social interaction could be the key for others as well .

rg

[psycho040253]

I seem to have periods of incredible boredom. I think it intensifies this time of year when I remember some brilliant work christmas parties. My works do these days, is me, my laptop and my cat.

I'm currently seriously lacking ambition. I can't see a long future in BF trading, I'm 41 with no employment history for 3-4 years, so the chances of me getting a decent job right now are nil. I went to Australia in the summer and it improved my mood, but just lately I've become pretty depressed again

Hi LeTiss

I'm a layer, not a trader - but the boredom factor still applies. I've been developing systems now for over 8 years. Like you, I have no recent employment history (mine's 8 years). In addition, I'm heading towards 60 at a rate of knots that's frightening.

Initially, to kill the boredom, I developed system after system. Most, except the one I now use, were crap. I'm fresh out of ideas now so I don't do that any more.

Then, I wrote a couple of books and sell the odd copy now and again.

I then began writing articles by the score. However, I'm fresh out of ideas for articles and books now.

Today is especially boring race-wise. There's only 3 races in which I'm really interested.

So, now what?

Well, it seems to me that the way Betfair are going, this income stream may not last forever. Methinks that the best way forward is to start seriously looking at developing another income stream. Maybe start investing some of my ill-gotten gains in a business that has a longer-term future.

One area I looked at was making Biofuel.

The problem with developing another business is the time factor. What I'm looking for is a business that I can switch on and off when needed.

That's one BIG advantage to this 'ere betting lark - I can switch it on or off whenever I please.

Psycho

[CaerMyrddin]

Hi LeTiss, have you tried to do some voluntary work?

A few years ago, my brother in law and I help a couple of 11/12 years old studying. Eventually both of them stopped showing up, but returned after a couple of months. We still make contact with one of them and it's something I'd like to repeat in the future, as it felt and was really nice.

[chuck536]

I think alot of it is to do with why you embark on it and persist again and again to reach a certain standard you had in mind as a goal... suppose its different for everyone, personally like many others i faced the problem of others dobting me or putting me down when it come to trading and saying things like 'you wont do that' or 'its not possible to make £200' in a couple of hours gambling 'you'll loose in the long run' .....i think i become a bit obsessive with it all for the wrong reasons maybe... to prove those people wrong! ... not really a healthy reason, now i've done that its lost its excitment factor really. I think keeping it as a part time thing isn' a bad option for now and may stop the boredom unless i start matching figures like peter, then its just a no brainer. Cheers for the replies... sometimes just knowing ya not alone and way you feel about it all in this game is enough to give you a little lift! its a solitary existance at times

[psycho040253]

I think alot of it is to do with why you embark on it and persist again and again to reach a certain standard you had in mind as a goal... suppose its different for everyone, personally like many others i faced the problem of others dobting me or putting me down when it come to trading and saying things like 'you wont do that' or 'its not possible to make £200' in a couple of hours gambling 'you'll loose in the long run' .....i think i become a bit obsessive with it all for the wrong reasons maybe... to prove those people wrong! ... not really a healthy reason, now i've done that its lost its excitment factor really. I think keeping it as a part time thing isn' a bad option for now and may stop the boredom unless i start matching figures like peter, then its just a no brainer. Cheers for the replies... sometimes just knowing ya not alone and way you feel about it all in this game is enough to give you a little lift! its a solitary existance at times

Chuck

I've heard that some people get 'betting buddies'. Basically, it's someone to talk to, who really understands, when the going gets tough or when it gets just down right boring.

Psycho

[Dabbla]

Chuck I can relate to your story, it sounds very familiar.
When you’re at the point of boredom , I think it’s best to take some time off .
As traders were in a very privileged position, we don’t need to book time off work, we can just take it. So you should take it when you need to, Then come back fresh, otherwise you will just go stale.
It’s also important to get out of the house regularly, even if it’s just to get a newspaper. I find going to the gym helps break up the week and gives me some good interaction with other people.
If you’re stuck at home try and find something creative to-do. How about, build a kit car and then sell it. When I’m in this sort of mood, sometimes i will get creative on excel or do some music stuff.
If I’m i a lazy mood then ill will kick back and watch something I have sky+ed or play x-box.
When I’m board of being lazy i start trading again.