How Traders Can Stop Self-Sabotage

Forex trading can actually be a lot like sport in that we often "lose our cool" because we're mad at ourselves for doing something we knew was wrong all along. We know better than that, and that's what makes it all the more frustrating!

That's self-sabotage, and it's a big problem that traders simply can't afford. After all, considering all the other reasons why any given 'perfect trade' may not go in our favor, we don't need to be yet another one of those reasons!

So, with that, here are the leading causes of self-sabotage among technical traders and what can be done to regain the upper hand.

Takeaways

• What is self sabotage

• The range of biases which cause it

• How you can create a system to stop it

Biases Lead to Self-Sabotage

Trading quickly turns into an uphill battle when pre-existing and/or learned trading biases begin to creep in. There's really no faster way to cloud objectivity and judgment, or cause hesitation or "unforced errors" than letting biases effect our decision making.

And, along those lines, there are a number of common, costly biases to be mindful of, including:

• Confirmation bias: Traders crave additional validation in order to increase confidence. This causes delayed execution, and although confidence may go up, studies have shown that more confirmation does not translate into better trade results.
• Recency bias: Traders allow more recent trades to have a greater impact on their mindset. This causes overconfidence if the recent trades were winners, hesitation if the most recent were losing trades, and poor decisions stemming from the loss of focus and added emotion.
• Media bias Traders "follow the hype" of a particular trade, indicator, set-up, or strategy and consequently stray from the rules that normally govern their trading. This is a phenomenon we discussed in greater detail in an article entitled "Simple Trading Tips That Work in Life, Too."

There are countless other biases that can come into play for good traders, some of which we may not even be aware of. That's why it's all the more important to carefully and objectively track results inside your trade journal, since that's where tell tale evidence of self-sabotage may surface.

See also: Must-Have Components of Every Trade Journal

Self-Sabotage by Information Overload

It's true that there has never been more information available to traders as there is right now. From real-time financial media and economic data, to all the traditional and new indicators out there, and everything else that can be yours with just a simple point and click, it's not hard to see why so many self-sabotage by the dreaded "analysis paralysis," or information overload. However, think about your trading strategy for a moment and the qualities that constitute a valid trade set-up. There aren't nearly enough requirements to warrant so much information, are there? Of course not, so why add more information to what you already know?

Remember that trading is all about adhering to a proven strategy, not about being "right." As a result, you'll trade your best when you act almost mechanically, executing on valid set-ups only as guided by your trading strategy and never based on emotion or personal feelings.

When you stray from your strategy and go off in search of additional information—perhaps while trying to convince yourself about the validity of a set-up—you can easily run into that endless flow of information, causing blurred signals, hesitation, and information overload.

Key Considerations for Eliminating Self-Sabotage

First and foremost, keep a detailed trade journal and "tell it like it is" immediately following every trade. Don't just blame the market for going against you whenever you suffer a losing trade. Document what really went wrong, and if it was something you did, own up to it! There's truly no faster and more effective way to improve your trading than that. Sure, the discovery of self-sabotage can be a painful revelation, but think of it this way: If you identify and correct the problem before it can wipe out your trading account, this can also be a remarkable turning point in your trading career. Unfortunately for those 90% of losing traders who ultimately fail, this is a chance they'll never get.

In addition, a potential "quick fix" is to write out a strategic checklist and post it so you'll see it while you trade. It's harder to break your rules when they're literally staring you in the face, after all, and that's what makes this such a simple, yet powerful tool. Doing so can help identify the root causes of self-sabotage and allow you to reverse course before you actually follow through with something which is bad for trading.

Know thyself...

Another way to eliminate self-sabotage is simply to know yourself and your tendencies as a trader. If you are prone to certain biases, sometimes get bogged down in information, or allow trading fears and emotions to cloud your judgment, be honest with yourself and own your tendencies, both good and bad. Inevitably, there will be some character traits you need to suppress in order to trade your best, but knowing who you are will help you harness the power of what you do well, and minimize the impact of what you don't, therefore heading off the threat of self-sabotage in the process.

Conclusion

In trading and elsewhere, sometimes the key to success is knowing "what not to do," so if bad habits and unforced errors are costing you money, then like so many traders, you're dealing with self-sabotage. And, much like a disease, self-sabotage is best uncovered early, so it can be treated and overcome before excessive damage can be done.

A proven trading strategy is truly your best weapon, and once you have one, you have to get out of your own way and let it work. Use your trade journal to check for signs of self-sabotage, and if you see it, objectivity and decisive action are certainly in order.

Remember, just because the market does crazy things that sometimes defy explanation doesn't mean you have to!