I was one and done today. I had a few things to do relatively early in the day today and so I just took my single trade, hung around a bit and skyped with a couple of friends and then took off for the day. Of course came back to see CL got drilled today but thats the choices we make.

Anyway, a friend really helped me understand some things about multiple time frames today. It was enlighting to say the least. I have attended webinars about MTF and I understand the theory pretty well but the application was always pretty nebulous to say the least in my mind. I am somewhat dense on certain types of concepts after all. But it has created another way for me to determine risk. Size bigger when trading with strong trends, trade smaller when trading against them if you have signals that contradict the higher time frame trends.

So now, I have daily homework. Classify the day as weak long, strong long, weak short, strong short. Size appropriately. Screen shot is an example of strong short. Time to load up.

Pardon me if I rip you a new one. But, do you want to be a trader, or do you just want to write about, how you would like to be trader? At least in the ES, days like today can define your year. You don't take them off - you take advantage of them. Traders' are opportunists, and when an opportunity presents itself, they take advantage of it. Do you really think that this "current form" of trading is going to be around forever? You can't take these markets for granted, and you can't take the current structure for granted. At some point , you have to stop rationalizing and making excuses, and grow some cajones and TRADE.

Perhaps took off for the day was not the correct terminology. I am a stay at home dad. This means during the summer my time is limited and some days much more limited than others. Today was one of those days. There was no choice. Getting a good trade in early was actually lucky. Had it been a slow morning, there would have been no trade at all.

Staying home while my wife works is a trade off we made two and half years ago. I agreed I would take on more of the house work and child care after trading hours in exchange for her supporting us while I learn trading. Its a sacrifice we are all making. These duties increase exponetially during the summer. My kid is a great kid but she's also an only child so she thinks dad is her playmate. I am teaching her that is not the case but I am still in charge of all the summer activities regardless of where they are at.

In addittion to this and due to my somewhat flexible schedule, I am the primary go to person for my retired father who just had quadruple bypass surgery. He is recovering well but still requires someone to help with certain activities he can no longer do. I engaged in this activity today as well.

I chose not to insert these details into todays post as I did not think they were important. I was wrong. Being able to make $1000 for about 15-20 minutes worth of "work" is the important thing here. It will enable me to do the rest of it.

Even now I am making this post during a live concert my wife is singing in while I am doing the back of house sound when I'd rather be focusing on the music. I just know I probably won't get a chance tomorrow.

So as a trader, I trade to live not live to trade. This means on days like today, I must be content with what I get. Will this change? Of course. In the past, I admit I have been less than ruthless on strong trend days. This is due almost entirely to my total lack of confidence to find entries, logical exits and marry the whole thing with sound money management and do it consistently.

When my schedule goes gets back to normal once my kid goes back to school, these days when they happen will result in much more aggressive trading. I have much more confidence in my ability to trade these days far more aggressively. I also think I've figured out to size for these days once they present themselves in context of my risk and money management parameters.

Okay Brian,

You got me on the retired father with the quadruple bypass, although I do have a healthy 98 year mother. But, I do have 4 kids ( 2,5,12,14) and 2 nephews living with us for the Summer, and I do trade out of my house. I have to get the 2 yo and 4 yo dressed, fed, and take them to school/now camp, 3 days a week. By the time I am finished doing all of the above, trading becomes a veritable de-stressor.

Trading is something I can truly focus on and get lost in, and surprisingly, its something I have control of. Not that I can control the market mind you, but I can control how I trade it. I find that not only empowering, but relaxing. Of course, I am used to trading with 700 sweaty Neanderthals surrounding me, spitting in my face, hitting me in the back of the head, and calling me an asshole. So, a little distraction like a few kids is once again, a breath of fresh air.

The point is, my friend. Trading is about attitude and focus, so no matter what are the surroundings and the distractions, you must learn to tune in, and tune out, and you must do what is necessary to accomplish that goal. If it means you have to hire an au pair or nanny to watch your kid , so you can trade with full focus, then thats what you may need to do. Your trading profits from a fully focused effort should more than compensate.

Spending the rest of the day with my kid. She has some reading, some math and something else I am supposed to help her with today. Should be fun. Afterwords, we head to the library for a program and then off to Sonic Burger for a strawberry slushy.

Just have to say strawberry slushy with a daughter beats trading any day

I'm trying to decide if its safe to post today.....is @tigertrader around?

Guess I'll just have to take that risk.
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