Curious what people here struggle with most over time. Is it sticking to rules, managing emotions after wins or losses, or something else entirely? Strategy gets talked about a lot, but I don’t see the mental side discussed as much.
The hardest parts of trading options long term
byu/AffectionateAnt3677 inoptions
Posted by AffectionateAnt3677
3 Comments
The mental side is definitely a big deal. After a great day, it’s easy to think you’re a genius and want to size up. After a big loss, the tendency is to trade scared. Neither one is optimal for your p/l.
Market Mind Games by Denise Shull, and Trading in the Zone, and The Disciplined Trader by Mark Douglas are all good reading.
I’ve been doing this for years, and after taking a beating on ‘liberation day’ when I was at work and unable to manage my positions, I started to trade smaller for a while. What I really needed to do was re-think my rules–why the F was I trading that big on a day when I knew I’d be in back to back meetings, and wouldn’t get a chance to look at my phone before the close? Trade small or pass on those days, and trade my regular size and rules that have proven profitable on other days.
> Strategy gets talked about a lot, but I don’t see the mental side discussed as much.
Really?
Go to any trading sub like r/Daytrading and almost everything is about “psychology”, everyone is a psychologist these days.
This sub included.
Stick to rules and dont be greedy. Options accelerate up and down….