I recently came across an article on CNBC that sparked a topic that doesn’t get talked about enough. Perhaps you are well aware of day trader geography, but oftentimes it’s one of those concepts that hides in plain sight. The best way to find success as a day trader (or really any kind of trader/investor for that matter) is to ensure your expectations are aligned as closely as possible with reality. A key component in this task of aligning expectations and reality is understanding day trader geography. I suppose this concept could lead you to taking drastic measures, but it doesn’t necessarily have to. I simply want to challenge you to stay realistic with your expectations as a trader. Let’s get to it!

“Today” (the day I recorded this episode) I was reminded of how I need to do a better job of deploying my critical thinking skills around the economic calendar. Thankfully the trade I was in turned out really well, but wow, the opposite could have just as easily been true. I know I’ve talked about the economic calendar before on the podcast; however, the lesson I was reminded of “today” is certainly one worth offering up to you as a reminder. Hopefully none of this is coming across as overly dramatic as that’s not my intent. None of this is rocket science, but it does require a bit of thinking on our parts. Let me walk you through this experience and what it can teach/remind us of as active traders in the market.

My YouTube live streams continue to deliver these podcast episode ideas! This past week I had a few interactions that, once again, reminded me of how some people could better themselves as a trader by doing one simple thing. To be fair, I suppose it is not the simplest thing to do, but again, to be fair, it’s also not in the realm of reasonableness to say this thing is impossible to do. I admit I probably get more frustrated than I should when I encounter these situations, but I can’t stand watching someone make their life harder than it needs to be. I don’t think I’ll be saying anything ground breaking in this episode, but I do think some people (including myself at times) underestimate the far reaching issues. Let’s talk about it!

The Trump Tweet. We’re all aware as traders by now how a single press of a button can send the markets into full blow roller coaster mode. We’re also aware of how a press conference about a certain topic can contain an off the cuff remark that, once again, sends the market into full blown roller coaster mode. I’ve been asked enough now the same general question where it makes sense to address it via a podcast. The question goes something like this, “Hey Clay, how do you navigate and manage this type of market where in the blink of an eye, everything goes crazy?!?!”. This is what I have been doing and will certainly continue to do. In fact, I will go as far as arguing that you are absolutely playing with fire if you aren’t doing what I do.

More and more people are asking about AI and what I think the effects it will have on the markets. It’s not a crazy question at all. Is AI something that is going to wreck the markets and destroy everything we know as traders? Are we going to be eaten alive by its vast intelligence and ability to think way quicker than we are? The core of the question is this: will there be any room for human traders, or are we going to become instinct? Let me give you my thoughts. Spoiler alert, it’s a very simple reply due to some of the simple tools available to all of us in the trading world. Let’s not overcomplicate this folks!

There is nothing worse we can do to ourselves as traders and investors than deceive ourselves. Deception can be a tricky thing. Self deception can be an even trickier thing. I wouldn’t say I was shocked by the discovery, but the livestream on YouTube continues to deliver valuable lessons and reminders for us in the trading world. There is quite a bit of self deception occurring and I’m doing my best to put an end to it. I used to fall victim to it as it is something that seems to be totally innocent. The problem is, if you start playing the game you will begin to take yourself down the pathways which lead to confusion and headaches. Let me walk you through how this game is played and why it’s so damaging. Avoiding this temptation will keep you grounded in reality and give you a much better chance to be efficient with your time.

Not a whole lot of money but want the opportunity to grow it fast? Looking for something that moves extremely quickly? Did you stumble upon someone explaining just how much money can be made with these small cap and low float stocks? Listen. I get it. I really do. Like most of us, when we first get started on our trading journey we don’t have a whole lot of capital to work with. Because of this, the logic follows that by trading these types of stocks we’ll be able to create more capital and then maybe we can consider a bit less volatile assets. I recently got a comment on YouTube that really drives home a concept that many beginner day traders are not aware of. Whether or not you choose to take the path i describe in this episode is up to you; however, I do with 100% confidence believe it is a pathway you need to, at least, be made aware of. Let’s get to it!

Do you have the entire context when it comes to risk management? This is a critical skill within the world of trading and one that must be mastered if you want any true chance at success. Perhaps you’re now asking, “How do we determine the entire context for risk?” Well, in all actuality, it revolves around a single question. Once you answer this question, the numbers will drive themselves from there. Without this question however, you won’t be able to proceed forward in any coherent manner. Yes, you’ll be able to proceed and potentially think you are doing a good job, but you aren’t. I had an interaction with someone on the livestream who stated with confidence they were managing risk and gave me what they were doing. Spoiler Alert, they had a gaping hole in their plans. Let me walk you through this important question you should always be asking yourself as a trader!

Hmmmm… is this type of trading fake? That’s what I was recently told and perhaps you’ve heard someone make the same claim. This interaction happened on a live stream which was ideal as I could interact with this person in real time. Did this person bring hardcore evidence to the table to support their claim? Were they able to present a case that did indeed expose this trading strategy as fake? I think it’s worth examining their claims and seeing if they carry with them any merit. My goal with myself and for this podcast is to always seek after efficiency and the truth. If we’re doing something wrong, then I think I speak for most people in wanting to learn from it so we can, by default, do what is considered right/efficient. Let’s dig in and see if there’s any logic behind these claims.

Do you find yourself struggling in an area of your trading? You aren’t alone! The world of trading is a constant struggle. Oftentimes, it’s the struggle against all those crazy voices in our head that want us to do really stupid things. Other times, it can be more of a unique struggle that won’t be the same for everyone. In this episode of the podcast, I wanted to take the time to share with you a recent problem and struggle I’ve been experiencing. I also want to discuss what the solution to this problem was and how the solution played out in the real world (no worries, this won’t be one of those “I read in a book this is how the solution is supposed to work, in theory”). For some of you, maybe you are having the same problem and not even aware of it? Maybe you have a struggle and can’t quite pinpoint exactly what is causing the struggle. Maybe my solution I talk about in this episode will be the exact solution you need? I can’t say for certainty that my problem is going to be the same as you; however, I’ve talked to many traders over the years and I can say this problem is very common! Let me share with you the struggle I recently endured and what the ultimate solution was.