It is human nature to want to be in control, to create order, as we know it. We instinctively dislike unpredictability and feel more comfortable exerting order over our surroundings and our lives. Perhaps arguably it is a survival instinct evolved to protect us in an uncertain and dangerous world.
The reality, however, for most of us is that “life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans”, to quote John Lennon. Efforts to exert control and order can often seem fruitless.
As in life, it is volatility that we really need. A sterile and predictable environment is non-productive and simply not reality. That beautifully predictable trade that enables us to feel comfortably in control is a yearning figment of our imagination, and we can waste a great deal of time trying to hunt it down.
Markets thrive on volatility, that battle ground between the buyers and sellers. It is our job to recognise which one is temporarily gaining the upper hand, when that gain may start to swing in the opposite direction, and act on it. We need to be patient and thorough in waiting for the right opportunity to present itself, then quick to take advantage of it. We need to be canny. The right opportunity does not mean the ‘perfect’ trade. No trade is perfect. It may look a technically perfect set-up, but you must absolutely accept that it may turn round any moment and lose you money, or it may go a fraction of the distance you expected, or it may go much further than you expected. Such are the powers that be in the market place.
What we lack in our ability to control and impose order on we must make up for in other ways. Developing a back-tested strategy that recognises opportunities and puts us in a position to take advantage of high probability technical set-ups, which is then applied consistently and with discipline is the key to success. Not hunting around for the non-existent perfect trade that affords us the luxury of being in control.
Throw out the window any lingering desire to seek out a perfect trade and instead embrace the unpredictable nature of the daily market battleground. Arm yourself with the right tools and discipline and that battleground may well yield high rewards.
The reality, however, for most of us is that “life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans”, to quote John Lennon. Efforts to exert control and order can often seem fruitless.
As in life, it is volatility that we really need. A sterile and predictable environment is non-productive and simply not reality. That beautifully predictable trade that enables us to feel comfortably in control is a yearning figment of our imagination, and we can waste a great deal of time trying to hunt it down.
Markets thrive on volatility, that battle ground between the buyers and sellers. It is our job to recognise which one is temporarily gaining the upper hand, when that gain may start to swing in the opposite direction, and act on it. We need to be patient and thorough in waiting for the right opportunity to present itself, then quick to take advantage of it. We need to be canny. The right opportunity does not mean the ‘perfect’ trade. No trade is perfect. It may look a technically perfect set-up, but you must absolutely accept that it may turn round any moment and lose you money, or it may go a fraction of the distance you expected, or it may go much further than you expected. Such are the powers that be in the market place.
What we lack in our ability to control and impose order on we must make up for in other ways. Developing a back-tested strategy that recognises opportunities and puts us in a position to take advantage of high probability technical set-ups, which is then applied consistently and with discipline is the key to success. Not hunting around for the non-existent perfect trade that affords us the luxury of being in control.
Throw out the window any lingering desire to seek out a perfect trade and instead embrace the unpredictable nature of the daily market battleground. Arm yourself with the right tools and discipline and that battleground may well yield high rewards.
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD rises toward 1.0700 after Germany and EU PMI data
EUR/USD gains traction and rises toward 1.0700 in the European session on Monday. HCOB Composite PMI data from Germany and the Eurozone came in better than expected, providing a boost to the Euro. Focus shifts US PMI readings.
GBP/USD holds above 1.2350 after UK PMIs
GBP/USD clings to modest daily gains above 1.2350 in the European session on Tuesday. The data from the UK showed that the private sector continued to grow at an accelerating pace in April, helping Pound Sterling gather strength.
Japanese Yen struggles to lure buyers amid divergent BoJ-Fed policy expectations
The Japanese Yen draws some support from the possibility of a government intervention. The divergent BoJ-Fed expectations and easing Middle East tensions cap the safe-haven JPY. Traders also seem reluctant ahead of the key US macro data and BoJ meeting later this week.
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD rises toward 1.0700 after Germany and EU PMI data
EUR/USD gains traction and rises toward 1.0700 in the European session on Monday. HCOB Composite PMI data from Germany and the Eurozone came in better than expected, providing a boost to the Euro. Focus shifts US PMI readings.
GBP/USD holds above 1.2350 after UK PMIs
GBP/USD clings to modest daily gains above 1.2350 in the European session on Tuesday. The data from the UK showed that the private sector continued to grow at an accelerating pace in April, helping Pound Sterling gather strength.
Gold price flirts with $2,300 amid receding safe-haven demand, reduced Fed rate cut bets
Gold price (XAU/USD) remains under heavy selling pressure for the second straight day on Tuesday and languishes near its lowest level in over two weeks, around the $2,300 mark heading into the European session.
Here’s why Ondo price hit new ATH amid bearish market outlook Premium
Ondo price shows no signs of slowing down after setting up an all-time high (ATH) at $1.05 on March 31. This development is likely to be followed by a correction and ATH but not necessarily in that order.
US S&P Global PMIs Preview: Economic expansion set to keep momentum in April
S&P Global Manufacturing PMI and Services PMI are both expected to come in at 52 in April’s flash estimate, highlighting an ongoing expansion in the private sector’s economic activity.
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