Monday, January 27, 2020

For the long haul


When the market gets into the zone of do nothing mode, I at times think to write and very rarely I succeed in putting my thoughts into words. Today is one of those rare days when my will to write has overcome the resistance, perhaps.

Off late I have been seeing many traders to post their profit and loss statement screenshots and what not to prove their earnings, which is definitely a very healthy sign for professional trader’s community. Why I say so is because, this is how the new traders get attracted to the markets and thus the money from their trading accounts move to the accounts of the experienced ones. But then what is wrong in it, after all most of the people come to stock market for sheer entertainment and adrenaline rush, and one has to pay for her entertainment, isn’t? As, the saying goes, nothing comes for free.

Long back when I started my journey as a trader, I was very fortunate enough to be guided by few wise experienced traders, and one of the lessons I starkly remember is that, in this field most of the people with experience lack the capital and one with capital lacks the experience. Perhaps this is one of the biggest lessons I learnt and I really applied in my own trading career, was to trade small and preserve capital. Until today I follow this principle religiously, I just want to be in the game for the long run and it’s just been 11 years for me so far as a full time stock trader. I believe you can only get better if you are doing something for the long haul.

So, to keep it short, the lesson that a new, as well a seasoned trader can take away from this article is that, the real principle of capitalism is to protect capital. Market is all about randomness and if you stick around long enough randomness will work for you too, and will bestow you will the wealth that you have been looking for, and I believe it will be more than you have ever imagined. But for that you need to be patient and wait, stay afloat and pounce when the right setup is in front of you with no hesitation.

I end this article with a quote from the legend Charlie Munger

It takes character to sit with all that cash and to do nothing.
I didn't get top where I am by going after mediocre opportunities.”