Trading for a Living: A Briefing

Main Theme: The book emphasizes the three pillars of successful trading – Mind, Method, and Money. It aims to equip traders with the psychological discipline, analytical methods, and money management skills required to succeed in the financial markets.

Key Ideas & Facts:

Psychology:

• Emotional Control: Elder stresses the importance of mastering one’s emotions to avoid impulsive decisions driven by fear and greed. He compares the necessary mindset to that promoted in Alcoholics Anonymous, highlighting the need for discipline and self-awareness.
• Understanding Crowd Behavior: The book encourages analyzing market psychology and understanding how crowd behavior influences price movements. Elder emphasizes that: “An astute trader tries to enter the market during quiet times and take profits during wild times.”

Trading Methods:

• Technical Analysis: Elder advocates for using charts, computerized indicators, and other technical tools to identify trading opportunities. He provides insights into interpreting indicators and understanding their psychological implications.
• Developing a Trading System: The book guides readers in creating a robust trading system by combining multiple analytical methods. This system acts as a framework for consistent decision-making.

Money Management:

• Risk Control: Elder stresses the importance of managing risk and protecting trading capital. He compares risk management to a safety net for a high-wire walker, emphasizing its vital role in trader survival.
• Position Sizing: The book emphasizes the importance of carefully determining the size of each trade to avoid catastrophic losses.

Quotes:

• “Successful trading stands on three pillars. You need to analyze the balance of power between bulls and bears. You need to practice good money management. You need personal discipline to follow your trading plan and avoid getting high in the markets.”
• “Every winner needs to master three essential components of trading: a sound individual psychology, a logical trading system, and a good money management plan.”

Relevance & Critique:

Although published in 1992, the core principles presented in “Trading for a Living” remain relevant today. The emphasis on trading psychology, developing a robust system, and managing risk are timeless concepts applicable to any market environment.

However, the book’s technical analysis methods may appear outdated, relying on manual charting techniques and lacking discussion of modern software and internet-based resources.

Conclusion:

“Trading for a Living” provides a solid foundation for aspiring traders, highlighting the crucial interplay of psychology, analytical methods, and risk management. While the technical aspects may require updating, the book’s psychological insights and emphasis on disciplined trading remain valuable for anyone seeking to navigate the financial markets successfully.

Trading for a Living: FAQ

1. What are the three essential components of successful trading?

Successful trading is built upon the foundation of three key elements: Mind, Method, and Money.

• Mind: Developing a strong trading psychology is crucial. This includes cultivating discipline, managing emotions, and avoiding impulsive decisions driven by fear or greed.
• Method: A logical and well-defined trading system is essential. This involves utilizing charts, technical indicators, and other analytical tools to identify profitable trading opportunities.
• Money: Effective money management is paramount. This encompasses strategies to limit risk, such as setting stop-loss orders and determining appropriate position sizes to protect your trading capital.

2. How does market psychology influence trading?

Understanding market psychology is critical because price movements are heavily influenced by the collective behavior of traders. Markets rise when buyers are more aggressive and confident than sellers. Conversely, markets decline when sellers are more motivated. By recognizing patterns in crowd behavior and sentiment, traders can anticipate potential market shifts and make more informed decisions.

3. What is the significance of risk management in trading?

Risk management is akin to a safety net for traders. It’s about protecting your capital from substantial losses. Key principles include:

• Stop-Loss Orders: These are pre-set orders that automatically sell a security when it reaches a certain price, limiting potential losses on a trade.
• Position Sizing: Determining the appropriate amount of capital to allocate to each trade based on your risk tolerance and overall portfolio.
• Diversification: Spreading your investments across different asset classes to reduce the impact of any single investment’s performance on your overall portfolio.

4. What is the “Triple Screen” trading system?

The Triple Screen is a trading system developed by Dr. Elder that combines multiple timeframes and indicators to filter trading signals and improve the probability of successful trades. It uses a three-step process:

• Screen 1: Analyze a longer-term timeframe to identify the overall trend of the market.
• Screen 2: Examine a shorter-term timeframe to pinpoint potential entry and exit points for trades.
• Screen 3: Employ technical indicators, such as MACD or stochastics, to confirm trading signals and manage risk.

5. How can I develop a disciplined trading mindset?

Developing trading discipline is an ongoing process that requires self-awareness and commitment. Key strategies include:

• Create a Trading Plan: A written plan outlining your trading strategy, risk management rules, and entry/exit criteria.
• Keep a Trading Journal: Track your trades, including your rationale for entering and exiting positions, to identify patterns and areas for improvement.
• Manage Emotions: Recognize emotional triggers and develop strategies to avoid making impulsive decisions based on fear, greed, or frustration.
• Practice Patience: Wait for high-probability trading setups that align with your plan, rather than chasing every market move.

6. What is the importance of backtesting a trading system?

Backtesting involves applying your trading system to historical market data to evaluate its performance. It helps you:

• Validate Your Strategy: Determine if your system is profitable over a significant period.
• Identify Weaknesses: Uncover areas where your system might underperform and make necessary adjustments.
• Build Confidence: Increase your trust in your system when you see that it has generated profits in the past.

7. How do I determine the right time to enter and exit a trade?

Identifying optimal entry and exit points is crucial for maximizing profits and minimizing losses. Consider the following:

• Trend Analysis: Trade in the direction of the prevailing trend for a higher probability of success.
• Support and Resistance Levels: Use these price levels to identify potential entry and exit points, as prices tend to bounce off or break through these zones.
• Technical Indicators: Utilize indicators such as moving averages, MACD, and RSI to confirm entry and exit signals.

8. What advice would Dr. Elder give to aspiring traders?

• Focus on Psychology: Mastering your emotions and developing discipline is as important as any technical skill.
• Develop a Robust Trading System: Backtest and refine your approach to ensure it has an edge in the markets.
• Manage Risk Meticulously: Protect your capital by using stop-loss orders and appropriate position sizing.
• Continuously Learn and Adapt: The markets are constantly evolving, so ongoing education and adaptation are essential for long-term success.