The first and second journals were about trading the FDAX and moving from small losses to B/E or small profits. This has been achieved and the next step now is to move forward and see if a consistent income is possibe.
The best way forward for me is to take the opportunity at Trading Program Online | Learn to Trade | TopstepTrader (. Thanks @BigMike and the forum partcipants here - usually I would have thought the whole thing was dodgy if it had not been for the webinars and discussion. Their structure and risk management overlay will work well with how I operate.
The FDAX is not able to be traded with topsteptrader - so I am moving on from my known market to the unknown.
As a part of this process there is alot of work for me to do - and I will share the process in this journal. It will help me articulate the development and implementation of what I do and why.
To think clearly about the market and make good decisions in regards to entries, exits and managing risk - that is the challenge I face if I am to be consistent. Its a huge challenge because it involves a whole range of issues - market understanding, personality traits (risk taker, risk averse, emotional), articulating entry and exit setups, life goals, available time, choosing from available markets, lifestyle choices (clear decision making and sleep as an example)...and the list goes on.
I will work through issues that come to mind and place some thoughts here. Thoughts on areas I need to reflect on to move forward. Trade examples and charts will be posted but there is alot of foundational work to do first.
All of the above issues can be articulated in a good trading plan. For me - the best one I have found online is by Tom Wilcox in 2005. Its comprehensive and the questions help me think about areas I may have missed. Its one that works for me - and with trading that's what I believe the game is about. I need to find what works for me and refine, develop, tweak, reflect, borrow, ask, read, research and interact. There are no quick answers or easy paths - its a journey for me and a marathon at that.