Brother Ming, what should I do about my tendency to revenge trade after losses?
1. Just like a divorce, set a "cooling-off period for losses". If there is a significant loss, especially a margin call, establish a cooling-off period, such as a week or several weeks, to adjust your emotions. During this cooling-off period, do not engage in trading until you have moved past feelings of confusion, anger, and pain.
2. Review and analyze the reasons for the losses. During the cooling-off period, carefully analyze the causes of the losses. Determine whether it was due to a failed strategy, not following the plan, or sudden market events. You need to identify the fundamental reason for the loss before you can figure out how to resolve it.
3. Redefine your trading plan, including position sizing, stop-loss limits, and trading frequency. Additionally, set a daily or monthly loss limit for yourself, stopping trading once you reach that limit. Especially when you start trading again, be sure to control your position sizes to avoid similar situations where you cannot hold back.
4. Utilize some tools, such as pending orders, and keep them a bit away from the market. When there is no reminder to trade, focus on what you need to do instead of staring at the market all day.
5. Set long-term profit goals and do not be fixated on one or two trades. Establish a long-term plan for yourself, such as targets for one month, six months, or a year, and work towards that overall direction.