Mind Over Market: The Burden Of Continuous Chart Watching

29 Jul

Novice traders are often swayed by their emotions. Even when equipped with knowledge of technical and fundamental analysis, as well as risk management, individuals are invariably guided by psychological factors. This influence isn't limited to emotional extremes such as greed, excitement, or despair. It also encompasses feelings like curiosity, self-assertion, and the quest for validation of one’s decisions. While these feelings aren't inherently wrong, they do come with certain nuances.

One research agency conducted an analysis of a broker's database, choosing to keep the names confidential to avoid advertising. The agency itself noted that the research was intended for private insights rather than a comprehensive analysis. The primary objective was to identify the actions traders tend to take most frequently. The findings revealed that the most predictable action among traders is closing a position. Interestingly, market orders are closed twice as often as limit orders. This suggests that most traders tend to follow market trends and manually close their trades, which may conflict with established risk management principles. This fact has been termed the “Monitoring Effect”.


📍 WHAT IS THE MONITORING EFFECT?

The monitoring effect in trading describes a psychological phenomenon where excessive scrutiny of short-term market fluctuations leads to impulsive and often detrimental trading decisions. When a trader spends too much time staring at the chart, this constant observation distorts their perception of market movements. In essence, a trader who continuously monitors the chart may interpret the data differently than someone who examines it after a few hours of absence. This prolonged focus can create a skewed view of the market, resulting in rash choices that might not align with their overall trading strategy.


📍 NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF MONITORING EFFECTS ON TRADERS

• Overemphasizing Short-Term Information. Traders may place excessive importance on recent price movements or news events, leading them to make reactionary decisions. For instance, an impulsive urge to close a trade can arise from a fleeting negative signal, such as a false pattern or a false breakout, even if the overall trading strategy remains sound.

• False Perception of News. By constantly tracking news and events, traders can overestimate their significance, prompting rash decisions based on short-term fluctuations. This can lead to trades that are not aligned with long-term strategy or analysis.

• Frequent Position Changes. The urge to change positions often is exacerbated by constant monitoring. Traders may respond to momentary shifts in market direction, resulting in frequent reversals of positions. This behavior not only increases trading costs due to commissions and spreads but can also lead to overall reduced profitability. A trader may incur losses as they jump in and out of trades based on short-lived movements.

• Emotional Stress. Ongoing market observation can heighten emotional stress and lead to fatigue. As traders become more engrossed in monitoring, their ability to think clearly and make rational decisions diminishes. This emotional toll can distort judgment, further complicating the trading process.

• Increased Risk Appetite. Prolonged engagement with the market can result in an increased appetite for risk. As traders become accustomed to fluctuations, they may become more willing to take on higher-risk trades, often without a solid foundation in their analysis. This increased risk tolerance can lead to larger potential losses, especially if the market moves against them.

To watch the chart or not to watch the chart? The monitoring effect has some positive aspects. Firstly, you train your skills of instant reaction to an event. Secondly, you learn to quickly recognize patterns and find levels.


📍 TIPS TO MANAGE CHART MONITORING

1. Wait After News Releases

Avoid Immediate Reaction. It’s crucial to refrain from making quick trades immediately after major news releases due to potential volatility and false spikes. Prices may not reflect fair value during that time, leading to uncertain outcomes.

Trade After the Dust Settles. Waiting for 30-60 minutes allows the initial market reaction to stabilize, providing a clearer market direction and reducing the likelihood of entering a trade based on erratic price movements.

2. Develop Psychological Stability

Practice Mindfulness. Engage in mindfulness techniques such as meditation or deep breathing exercises to enhance emotional regulation.

Set Realistic Expectations. Understand that losses are a part of trading and work on accepting them without letting them influence your emotional state.

Simulate Trading. Use demo accounts to practice trading strategies without real financial pressure, keeping emotions in check.

3. Focus on the Trading Process

Emphasize Strategy Over Outcomes. Concentrate on executing your trading plan and strategies instead of being fixated on profit and loss. This shift in mindset can reduce stress and enhance performance.

Track Your Progress. Regularly review your trades to identify patterns in behavior and decision-making, making adjustments as necessary without getting bogged down by the results of individual trades.

4. Avoid Unrealistic Goals

Set Achievable Milestones. Goals should be specific, measurable, and realistic based on your skill level and market conditions. Aim for gradual improvement rather than sudden leaps in performance.

Focus on Personal Growth. Compare your progress against your own benchmarks rather than against other traders, which can help foster a healthy mindset.

5. Use and Stick to a Trading Plan

Define Your Strategy. Clearly outline entry and exit strategies, risk management rules, and market conditions for trading. A well-structured plan reduces impulsive decisions.

Review and Adapt. Regularly review your trading plan to ensure it aligns with market conditions and your evolving trading style. Adjust it as needed, but avoid impulsive changes based on short-term outcomes.

To mitigate the effects of constant monitoring, traders are encouraged to develop a clear trading plan that includes well-defined rules for entering and exiting trades. Utilizing automatic stop losses and take-profit orders is essential for effective risk management. Additionally, setting specific time frames for checking trading positions can help avoid the pitfalls of incessantly watching the market. For instance, you might establish a schedule to check in on your trades five minutes after the start of each new hourly candle. The key is to cultivate the discipline to adhere to this schedule and resist the temptation to deviate from it.


📍 CONCLUSION

Everything is good in moderation. Long-term trading strategies do not require constant monitoring; instead, a quick five-minute check of the chart every few hours are often sufficient. Utilizing pending orders that align with your risk management guidelines can also enhance your trading approach. Taking breaks after each 1H candle can be beneficial. If there are no clear trading signals, allow yourself to step away from the chart for the duration of one hour. During this time, it's not necessary to search for signals on lower timeframes. Embracing this disciplined approach can help you maintain focus and improve your overall trading performance.


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