“As a manual trader, should I fear automated/algo trading?”

I received this question from a guy, who was interested in the impact of algo trading.

And who was fearing for his survival as a manual trader.

There is all this talk about how algos are the end for manual traders. 

Here's why you should not fear algos/automated trading:

I have heard this argument for many years. Some believe that algos will rule trading and eliminate the manual trader... 

... yet we and many other traders are still trading profitably. 

Of course, you must improve your game and be more selective with your trading.

And if you are, there are still many plays where you will have an edge. 

A lot of algos are written by programmers who have not learned how to actually trade and thus are destined to fail. 

You can’t just crunch numbers and expect to be a profitable trader. 

As mankind has proven over and over:

Human emotion will trump even the best of automated intentions. 

Algos will continue to become more used. And there is a fortune to be made in using them. 

But there isn’t a program that can be developed and which will be set-and-forget. No algos will work until the end of your days. 

Just like no manual trading strategy will work forever.

There are just too many variables in the markets. 

Respect algos. But don't fear them. In fact, instead of being fearful, embrace it.

Use the new developments in the market space, such as algos, to improve as a trader.

Learn more about how it works.

And if you can’t beat them, join them.

It’s not a law that you can only do manual trading OR algo trading. 

With the right mindset, you can do both.

Now is how, and how is now.

"Trading becomes a lot harder if you don’t value yourself, back yourself or like yourself. Yet that’s exactly what the market does to you, it erodes your sense of self-worth.

That’s why ‘self compassion’ is so important.

You have to have your own back. Nobody else is going to have it for you."

Maximus Decimus Meridius

 Happy Fifth Birthday!

"What will I gain if I let this go?"

“The best portion of a good man's life: his little, nameless unremembered acts of kindness and love.”

 

Be kind to yourself.

 

"The difference between a losing and a profitable trader is in the ability and true will to personal change."

Over the next five years, commodities may emerge as compelling investments relative to the stock market. Economic shifts, geopolitical uncertainties, and inflation concerns are driving increased attention to tangible assets. As traditional markets face volatility and potential corrections, commodities like precious metals, agricultural goods, and energy resources become attractive for diversification and hedging strategies. Supply chain disruptions, coupled with growing global demand, could bolster commodity prices. Additionally, the tangible nature of commodities offers a sense of security amid digital volatility. Fundamental reasons are never timing tools though.

 

UPRISE

"we are simultaneously everything and nothing."

It is a great paradox that individually we are simultaneously everything and nothing. Through our own eyes, we are everything--e.g., when we die, the whole world disappears. So to most people (and to other species) dying is the worst thing possible, and it is of paramount importance that we have the best life possible. However, when we look down on ourselves through the eyes of nature we are of absolutely no significance. It is a reality that each one of us is only one of about seven billion of our species alive today and that our species is only one of about ten million species on our planet. Earth is just one of about 100 billion planets in our galaxy, which is just one of about two trillion galaxies in the universe. And our lifetimes are only about 1/3,000 of humanity's existence, which itself is only 1/20,000 of the Earth's existence. In other words, we are unbelievably tiny and short-lived and no matter what we accomplish, our impact will be insignificant. At the same time, we instinctually want to matter and to evolve, and we can matter a tiny bit--and it's all those tiny bits that add up to drive the evolution of the universe.

The question is how we matter and evolve. Do we matter to others (who also don't matter in the grand scope of things) or in some greater sense that we will never actually achieve? Or does it not matter if we matter so we should forget about the question and just enjoy our lives while they last?

 "To be human is to get upset, angry, scared, envious, greedy, fearful, to go on tilt and sometimes to lose your shit altogether.

To be superhuman, is to still do all to that, because you’re human, accept you did that, because your human, then give yourself a break, forgive yourself, take the lesson. Then let go, move on, reset and go again as if it hadn’t happened at all."

Maximizing positive experiences is a brilliant goal! To make the most of this, try diversifying your activities, exploring new hobbies or interests, nurturing relationships, and seeking out opportunities that bring joy and fulfillment. Staying open to new experiences often leads to unexpected moments of happiness. Remember, it's about quality over quantity; finding depth in your experiences can often bring more fulfillment than chasing sheer volume.

What a gift to have had another year on this planet.

Happy and Prosperous New Year to everyone!

So, as we head into another new year, resolve to get your trading logic down to watching prices and reacting routinely to them using whatever you decide constitutes your own strategy of how you buy and sell. Clear your trading mind of predictions end execute. Maybe you’ll more easily enjoy the ride in 2024!

A compelling risk-reward profile.

The aggressive young oil and gas company recently acquired a 37,000+-acre plot of land in the heart of the DJ Basin, where majors like Chevron, Civitas, EOG, and Samson operate.

The best part? It snatched up that land out from under Chevron's nose … and was rewarded with possible reserves up to 285.3 million barrels of oil equivalent, according to a recent, independent, third-party assessment.

Oh, and because Prairie is only just now hitting the NASDAQ, it's still under $70 million market cap … despite its potential reserves.

You Belong In Your Dreams

Merry Christmas

"The American Tourist and the Mexican Fisherman."

An American tourist was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked.

Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The tourist complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The Mexican replied, “Only a little while.”

The tourist then asked, “Why didn’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?”

The Mexican said, “With this I have more than enough to support my family’s needs.”

The tourist then asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”

The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life.”

The tourist scoffed, ” I can help you. You should spend more time fishing; and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat: With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats. Eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor; eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You could leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then Los Angeles and eventually New York where you could run your ever-expanding enterprise.”

The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?”

The tourist replied, “15 to 20 years.”

“But what then?” asked the Mexican.

The tourist laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions.”

“Millions?…Then what?”

The American said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”

Think about your Goals and what will you Become, Do, and Have when you achieve them. Enjoy the ride!