Do you want to upgrade your trading to the next level? The essential factor to becoming a successful trader is trading discipline. As Jim Rohn said,
“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.”
In this article, we will discuss the four crucial keys to maintaining discipline in trading.
Let’s get started!
Key 1: Risk Management for Trading Discipline
Risk management is crucial in trading because it helps traders minimize potential losses and protect their account balance. Without right risk management, your account balance may be wiped out. The relationship between risk and reward is vital in trading.
Here are different ways a trader can apply risk management to maintain discipline in trading:
Use a Position Size Calculator:
A position size calculator is an important tool for managing risk in trading. It helps traders determine the appropriate position size (trade volume) based on their account balance and risk limit.
By determining the appropriate position size, the tool helps manage the emotions of traders during live market conditions, improving the decision-making process.
Stop Loss Order:
Use a stop-loss order to exit a position from the stock or other financial scripts if it drops below a certain price. Stop-loss orders can protect your gains and capital from significant losses.
Trailing Stop Loss:
It helps traders follow the trend. It can also help traders lock in profits and limit potential losses at the same time. I have written an in-depth guide on trailing stop loss. Learn more about it.
2% Rule in Trading:
This rule states that on any given trade, your loss should not exceed 2% of your total capital.
For instance, if your trading capital is $1000, your risk per trade should be 2% of your trading capital, i.e., $20. Additionally, diversifying your portfolio is also a pivotal step in risk management.
Key 2: Having a Professional Trading Plan
As Warren Buffett said,
“An idiot with a plan can beat a genius without a plan.”
A trading plan is a comprehensive tool for making decisions regarding your trading conditions. It helps you choose the appropriate trades, timing, and volume. It should be specific to you, but keep in mind that someone else’s approach to risk and the amount of capital available may be vastly different from yours. You can use someone else’s plan as a reference.
It’s important, as a trading plan makes it possible for you to trade without relying on your emotions. You can avoid making impulsive decisions out of emotion if you have a solid trading plan.
Key 3: Patience is the Key
Patience is the key that distinguishes successful traders from amateur traders. It’s the ability to wait for the right opportunities. Patience can help traders avoid making hasty decisions and sticking to their trading plan, even in the face of market volatility or crashes. Thus, Patience plays an important role to maintain discipline in trading.
For example, assume you’re a swing trader, and you’re waiting to enter a profitable trade. But there’s no sign of quality trade, and you’re chasing the market by entering forcefully. This is a sign of an amateur trader.
Professional traders, on the other hand, patiently await quality trades, whether they occur in a day, week, or month. They have the necessary patience to control their emotions.
Key 4: Maintain a Trading Journal
One of the best instruments for performance management is a trading journal. It’s where you record and review daily trades for better insight and future reference. A trading journal can assist you in keeping track of your progress and studying trading mistakes made when entering or exiting a trade. A trading journal is a necessary tool if you’re a professional trader.
Check out our Spreadsheets for Success program to get access to a trading journal used by professional traders.
Final Thoughts
Maintaining discipline in trading doesn’t have to be a tough task. And becoming a successful trader is an ongoing process. Understanding the significance of risk management, setting proper position sizes, and sticking to a trading plan are the keys to getting a super trader.
By constantly mastering these keys, you can make sure that your trading journey is both profitable and enjoyable.
I really hope this helps you significantly in your trading career. Ask me in the comment section if you have any questions.
FAQs about Discipline in Trading
What is Trading Discipline?
Trading discipline is the ability to consistently stick to a set of rules, regardless of changes in the market or one’s own emotions. It involves creating a clear trading strategy, using risk management techniques, and avoiding emotional or irrational trading decisions. The two main objectives of trading discipline are to increase the likelihood of success and reduce risk.
How to Trade with Discipline?
Trading with discipline requires a combination of preparation, planning, self-awareness, and consistency. To trade with discipline, you need to create and adhere to a well-defined trading plan, use risk management techniques, maintain a long-term vision, keep a trading journal, and be aware of your emotions.
Author Bio:
Name: Karan K. Meghani
Description: Karan is a successful and professional trader. He uses price action trading concepts with some indicators for the Indian stock market. He migrated successfully from an engineering background into the stock market and has around 5 years of experience in the stock market.