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I've become more profitable over time by not trading the micros. With the e-mini' full size, I accept my loss for the day and move on, but when I trade the micros I tend to move my stoploss often , over-trade and generally take lower quality trades. Im just curious if anyone has experience something similar?
Can you help answer these questions from other members on NexusFi?
Absolutely. I've managed to do really dumb things with micros that added up to larger losses than I'd put up with on minis, because "hey, it's only $2 a point."
1. While most people do better in sim/micros and cave under pressure when they go full size, some people actually need the pressure of real money to make them "cut the BS" and get serious. Similarly, some people just seem to perform better under pressure, it focuses them. Do you see any of these traits show up in other areas of your life?
2. It is crucial to treat any trading - be it sim, micros, full size 1-lots or 10-lots - with the same respect and attitude. Many traders go through the same when trading sim, treating it like a "video game". Do you imagine a pilot doing a simulator session and "just playing around doing stupid stuff"? Pilots, as professionals, know they have to treat simulators just like the real thing - otherwise they are in fact "negative training" themselves, forming bad habits instead of hard-wiring the good habits they will need in a real-time situation. Be aware of this idea of negative training: your micro trading is meant to improve your skill, not make you money. So "train as you trade" so your training will be worthwhile.
3. Another useful trick may be to think in ticks instead of dollars. How many ticks did you make or lose? It cancels out the pressures of thinking of money, as well as the "sloppy carelessness" when trading smaller instruments. You measure yourself the same on both.
That explains it. (former military; yoga meditation)I focus better under the pressure of making real money. Strangely, when trading the standard emini, in sim or live, I do way better than trading the micros live (even when taking around the same amount of trades) . Great idea. I'm going to trade in ticks instead on both instruments and continue to improve my habits. Thank you.
I think it is smart to acknowledge the psychological effects that your trading size has on you. I think the right size has to be correct relative to your average profit factor and account size, but it must also be big enough to prevent apathy and small enough to keep you from getting too anxious. Once you are consistent for a while in this zone you should have the confidence to add a little more size.