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Gav's trading blog - Perseverance, Consistency, Confidence

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Coffee Thoughts – Trading Alone Doesn’t Mean Trading in Isolation

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I trade alone.

I’ve always preferred it that way. Just me, the chart, and my rules.

But here’s the thing I had to learn the hard way — trading alone doesn’t mean isolating yourself from the world.

In the early years, I went full monk mode. No forums. No chats. Just grind and suffer in silence. I thought that was discipline.

It wasn’t. It was ego dressed up as independence.

The truth is, some of my biggest breakthroughs came not from books or charts, but from conversations. A simple chat with another trader made me realize my risk rule wasn’t as clear as I thought. A blog comment helped me spot a mental leak I didn’t know I had. Sometimes, just saying your trade idea out loud exposes the nonsense.

You don’t need a trading group. You don’t need a signal service. But you do need connection.

A sounding board. A mentor. A fellow struggler.

Trading is already a lonely game — don’t make it harder by shutting the door.

Let people in. Not to trade for you. But to keep your head on straight.

— Gav, with coffee

On a side note, if you’re sorting out your foundation, check out my Back to Basics of Trading series.

What I Thought Was Discipline Was Actually Fear

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I’ve been trading pretty tightly lately.

Rules set. Checklist followed. Pre-market done.
No chasing. No overtrading. Just clean execution.

Or so I thought.

That kind of structure usually helps me stay sharp. But last week, something felt off.

I’d mark up a level, see price line up perfectly… and still hesitate.
No entry. No trade. Just a bunch of second-guessing.

And of course, the move ran without me. Classic.

So I took a step back and opened the journal.

Here’s what hit me:

Discipline or fear?

It’s a fine line.

Following your rules is good. Essential, even.

But when you start hiding behind them — when they become reasons not to act — that’s not discipline.

That’s fear wearing a name tag that says “risk management.”

Here’s how it showed up for me:

  • “It didn’t check every single box.”
  • “Let’s just wait for more confirmation.”
  • “I’ll take the next one.”

All of it sounded smart. Safe. Professional.

But deep down, I wasn’t protecting capital — I was avoiding discomfort.

I didn’t want to lose.
I didn’t want to be wrong.
I didn’t want to feel the hit.

A journal check

One note I scribbled months ago saved me:

“Rules protect edge. Not your ego.”

That snapped it into focus.

So I sat down and trimmed the fat.

What are the core rules?
The ones tied to real edge — not fear?

Now I keep it simple.

The framework stays. But I leave space to think.
Space to act.
Space to be a trader — not just a rule follower.

My gut check now?

If I’m passing on valid setups just to “be safe”…
If the journal keeps saying “hesitated” or “late entry”…
If I’m blaming discipline when it’s really doubt…

It’s time to pause.

Because real discipline means showing up.
Even when it feels uncomfortable.

Until next time — trade sharp, stay honest.

Trading is About Location. Always Has Been

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I’ve been deep in the trenches lately.

Refining setups, rewriting plans, backtesting like a maniac (manually with Tradingview’s market replay— no fancy automation), setting up accounts, even negotiating commissions.

It’s been intense. A bit draining, to be honest.

But stepping back gave me space to revisit old trading journals, flip through a few good books, and do some real thinking. Not the motivational fluff — just the raw stuff. The “why am I doing this” kind of thinking.

So if you see me sharing more quick posts like this — random wisdom, trading notes, whatever — it means I’m still grinding. Still learning.

Anyway, here’s something that hit me again during backtesting:

Location. Location. Location.

We say this about property all the time.

But it’s just as true for trading.

In real estate, you don’t just build anywhere. You study the surroundings. The flow. The demand. You consider the big picture. Why? Because you want consistency. Long-term value. Not a lucky flip.

Same thing on the chart.

That pattern you swear by? The one that used to print pips for you? It might still work — if it shows up in the right place. If it’s in context.

Context is location.

  • Where is price in the session?
  • Where are we relative to the range?
  • Are we inside value or chasing extremes?

You get the idea.

A quick gut check

When my trading gets messy, I go back to one line I scribbled on the first page of my journal:

Location → Path → Management

Simple. Clean. Enough to reset my focus.

If you’re unsure why something’s not working lately, start there. Pull the charts. Check your entries. Study the location.

Sometimes the problem isn’t the setup.

It’s where you’re trying to run it.

Until next time — trade well, stay sharp.

Trading Journal or Fantasy Log? How to Actually Use It to Get Better

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Are You Journaling or Just Daydreaming?

How to Actually Use a Trading Journal to Improve

Let’s not kid ourselves.

Most trading journals are just organized daydreams.

Spreadsheets filled with screenshots. Notes like “entry was late” or “should’ve waited.”
Maybe a red cell for losers.
Makes you feel productive, right?

But here’s the thing—

If your journal isn’t changing how you trade, it’s just busywork.

I learned that the hard way.

Neat logs. Fancy charts.
Still kept making the same dumb mistakes.

So if you’re tracking trades but not seeing progress, here’s what’s probably missing—and how to fix it.

First—Let’s Clear This Up

A real trading journal isn’t:

  • A highlight reel
  • A digital scrapbook
  • A scoreboard for win rates

It’s a mirror.
Sometimes it shows you things you’d rather not see.
But that’s the point.

Here’s What Actually Works

This is how I use my journal now.
Simple. Real. Actually helpful.

1. Journal Before You Enter

If you only write after the trade, you’re already biased.

Start here:

  • What setup am I trading?
  • Why now?
  • Where’s my invalidation?
  • Am I trading the chart—or my feelings?

If it feels vague, don’t trade it.
Journaling before entry exposes hesitation and half-baked ideas.

Clarity before entry. That’s edge.

2. Capture the Emotion, Not Just the Outcome

This one changed the game for me.

Instead of “TP hit” or “stopped out,” I ask:

  • Was I confident—or just bored?
  • Did I hesitate?
  • Was that revenge?
  • What was my state of mind?

You don’t need a psychology degree.
You just need to be honest.

Real example:
After two losses, I’d start second-guessing setups.
Same setup, worse timing.
Fix? Halve size after two losses. Focus on execution, not recovery.

Found that pattern from reviewing emotional notes—not trade stats.

3. Review Weekly. Don’t Sugarcoat It

Every Friday, I do a short review.

Here’s what I look for:

  • Did I follow the plan?
  • Any emotional trends?
  • Was I consistent with size?
  • Did I skip valid trades out of fear?
  • Did I force any garbage trades?

If the trade made money but broke rules—it’s still a mistake.
Log it that way.

Don’t confuse profits with good trading.

Two Small Additions That Speed Things Up

A. Voice Notes

I started recording a 30-second voice memo right after trades.
No filter. Just talk through what I saw, felt, thought.

It’s raw. But it helps.
Especially when you replay them before the next session.

B. “Would I Take This Again?” Column

Simple column. Yes or no.

If it’s a no, it’s not a valid trade for your playbook.
Cut it. Move on.

Final Thought: Journal to Improve, Not Impress

Your journal isn’t for posting.
It’s not for looking smart.
It’s for making real changes.

If you’re not learning from it, stop decorating it.

Use it to catch patterns. Fix behavior. Sharpen your edge.

That’s the job.

Now—next session, start with a blank note.
Write what you see.
Then write what you felt.
Then write what you’ll do better.

That’s a real trading journal.

The Exit Trap: How Poor Trade Management Quietly Destroys Your Account

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The Silent Killer: How Inconsistent Trade Management Bleeds Your Account Dry
Real talk from the trenches

Most traders obsess over entries.
New setup? Screenshot it.
Clean breakout? Love it.
Indicator combo? Let’s backtest it for six months.

Cool. But here’s the kicker…

It’s not your entries that are killing your account.
It’s your exits. The wildly inconsistent ones.

The Setup Was Good… But Then What?

Ever nailed a perfect entry, felt like a genius…
Then watched the trade crumble because you second-guessed your exit?

Yeah. Me too.

That’s the silent killer.
Inconsistent trade management.

You’re letting fear, greed, and guesswork steer the ship. And slowly, trade by trade, pip by pip—you bleed your account dry.

Let’s break it down.

How Inconsistent Management Wrecks You

Here’s what happens when your exit game is all over the place:

  1. You cut winners too early.
    Got scared. Took profit at +10. Price ran for +50. Regret kicks in.
  2. You let losers run.
    “Maybe it’ll bounce.” It doesn’t. Now you’re down 3R.
  3. You flip-flop mid-trade.
    Trailing stop? Fixed TP? Manual close? You improvise. Every. Single. Time.
  4. You treat every trade like a new religion.
    This one’s special, right? So you ditch your plan. Again.

Bottom line?

You never give your edge a chance to work.

My Exit Game Used to Be a Joke

I’d enter like a sniper…
Then exit like a caffeinated squirrel.

No structure. No logic. Just vibes.

One day I’d trail stop by structure. Next day I’d close at VWAP. Then I’d just… panic-exit because “the candle looks weird.” Like a chef who perfectly sears a steak, then throws it in the bin because the plate feels off.

My equity curve looked like a heart monitor.

Here’s What Changed It All

I stopped chasing the “perfect” system.
Instead, I got brutally consistent with how I manage trades.

Here’s the playbook I use now:

5 Steps to Fix Your Exit Game (Starting Today)

1. Decide your exit plan before you enter.

  • Fixed R multiple? Trailing stop? Structure-based TP?
  • Pick one. Stick to it for at least 20 trades.

2. Accept that you’ll leave money on the table.

  • That’s the price of consistency.
  • Would you rather catch the occasional big win, or actually grow your account?

3. Stop tweaking mid-trade.

  • Unless news nukes the chart, let it run.
  • Don’t adjust stops because “it feels like it’s reversing.” Feelings aren’t strategy.

4. Use journaling to find your sweet spot.

  • After 20–30 trades, review:
    • Where did you exit?
    • What would’ve worked better?
  • Tweak then. Not mid-session.

5. Automate it if you must.

  • Set TP and SL. Walk away.
  • You’re not a machine. Let your platform be one.

Trading Should Be Boring

The best trades? They’re like brushing your teeth. Nothing flashy. Just part of the routine. best trades I’ve ever taken?
They were boring.

Planned the exit. Let it play out. Took the result. Moved on.

No dopamine rush. No drama. Just execution.

That’s the game.
You’re not here to be entertained. You’re here to make progress.

Wrap Up: Be Ruthless with Exit Discipline

Want to stop sabotaging good setups?

Master your exits.
Pick a method. Stick to it. Track it. Refine it. Rinse and repeat.

Your job isn’t to catch the top. Or the bottom.
Your job is simple: stay alive. Stay consistent. Let your edge work.

That’s how you stop the bleeding.

Now go review your last 10 exits.
Were they consistent?

If not—fix it before it buries your account.

Your Turn:
What’s your current exit strategy? Or are you still figuring it out as you go?

Drop a comment. Let’s talk real trade management.

Why Your Trading Strategy Fails: The Real Reason You’re Losing (And How to Fix It)

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I remember sitting at my desk, coffee gone cold, charts looking like abstract art.
I had the strategy. The setup. The conviction.

And yet—
another losing trade.

You know that moment?
You stare at your screen like it personally betrayed you.
You think, “This system should work. What the hell’s going on?”

Let me cut through the noise.

It’s not the market.
It’s not your broker.
It’s not Mercury in retrograde.

It’s your system.
And more importantly—how little you’ve tested it.

Backtesting: The Thing You’re Probably Half-Doing

Let’s get real.

Most traders think backtesting means scrolling through charts and going,

“Oh yeah, that trade would’ve worked. That one too. Boom—edge confirmed.”

Stop right there.

That’s fantasy land.
That’s Monday-morning quarterbacking with Monopoly money.

Backtesting—real backtesting—means this:

  • Going bar-by-bar, no skipping, no cheating.
  • Logging entries, exits, drawdowns, wins, and absolute dumpster fires.
  • Seeing how your system holds up during ugly market conditions—like when the market flatlines for six hours, or whipsaws your stop, then runs to target after stopping you out.

You don’t learn a system’s edge when it wins.
You learn it when it gets punched in the face.

Your System’s Not Broken. It’s Just Under-Tested.

Markets change.
One week it’s smooth trending moves. Next week? It’s chop city.

If your system only works in perfect conditions, guess what?

It’s not a system.
It’s a fluke dressed up as a strategy.

Refinement is how you go from decent to durable.

Start here:

  • What market condition is this built for? Trending? Ranging?
  • What session does it perform best in? (Hint: Asian session ≠ NY open)
  • Can you filter out the garbage? Think news events, illiquid hours, or overlapping zones.

Refinement isn’t about adding 10 more indicators.
That’s just dressing your chart like a Christmas tree.

It’s about tightening logic, cutting clutter, and making your rules bulletproof.

Know Your Numbers, Or You’re Just Guessing

Would you invest in a business that couldn’t tell you its profits, losses, or survival rate?

Didn’t think so.
So why are you trading blind?

Here’s what every serious trader should track—no excuses:

  1. Win rate
  2. Average R:R
  3. Drawdown depth
  4. Session performance (Asia, London, NY)
  5. Max consecutive losses

If you can’t rattle those off, your strategy isn’t battle-tested.
It’s a hypothesis. And the market doesn’t care about hypotheticals.

The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is predictability.

5 Things You Can Do Today To Fix This

Ready to stop spinning your wheels? Let’s fix your system in five steps:

1. Pick one strategy.
No more jumping between methods. Choose your weapon and commit.

2. Manually backtest 100 trades.
Yes, manually. No shortcuts. Bar-by-bar. Old-school.
Use a spreadsheet or Notion. Track everything.

3. Find the flaws.
Which setups failed? Why? Was it the time, volatility, or structure?

4. Refine your rules.
Make them tighter. Smarter. Simpler.
Remove trades that don’t serve you. Add filters that actually work.

5. Forward test in real time (demo first).
Sim trade like it’s live. Feel the rhythm. See how it holds under pressure.

If it works, great—scale slowly. If it breaks, good—now you know where.

Backtesting Is Boring. But So Is Losing Money.

Let’s be honest.

Tracking trades? Not sexy.
Refining entry logic? Not exciting.
Doing 100 trade reviews? Downright tedious.

But…

  • Confidence in your edge? Sexy.
  • Consistent green weeks? Sexy.
  • Growing your account without sweating bullets? You get the idea.

The traders who last?
They aren’t smarter.
They just put in the work before they went live.

So ask yourself—are you practicing for the fight, or stepping into the ring hoping for luck?

Final Thought

You don’t need a better system.
You need a better relationship with your system.

One based on data. Not vibes.
Refinement. Not hope.
Deliberate reps. Not impulsive trades.

So here’s your challenge—
Pick your system. Test it. Refine it. Track it.

You’ll hate the process…
But you’ll love what comes out the other side.

And the best part?

It’s all in your control.