Jump Start Your Trading Results with a Trading Coach

Posted on November 20, 2009
Filed Under Forex | Leave a Comment

Many people can’t wait to get started trading after they have read all the books and got their trading system and equipment all setup. After trading for a while, they may have some wins and some losses and become discouraged. All this hard work just to break even? They may wonder what is missing? They may hear that other traders using similar systems are making great profits. The missing piece to the puzzle is often experience. Traders faced with the same market and using the same system will produce different results based on their experience in the market. One of the best ways to shortcut the learning curve that everyone goes through is to use a trading coach and leverage their experience in the market.

You may be wondering what exactly is a trading coach. A trading coach is someone with many years of experience trading the markets. Trading coaches will help other people or groups of people get started or improve their trading skills. They can look at where you are in your trading career and offer unbiased advice on how to improve. Often someone else looking over your trading results will see something that you could improve that is obvious to them but not you. Some people wonder why a successful trader would want to be a trading coach. Trading is a lonely business and some trading coaches gain a lot of satisfaction from helping and seeing other people achieve success in trading.

It is possible to work with a trading coach privately or in a group. Your budget may dictate which option you choose, but even if they can afford it, many people prefer the interaction and learning that comes from being part of a group. If you choose a private session you will get the undivided attention of the coach and you will get advice tailored to your situation. Location doesn’t have to be a limiting factor when choosing a coach, as these days, coaches will work on the phone, using the internet and Skype or in person.

You may find some trading coaches also offering home study courses. Although there may be an extra cost for this, when you compare it to the cost of actual trading coaching sessions, it can be good value. Instead of paying for the time of the trading coach to explain basic trading concepts and systems, learning from the course is an alternative. Once you have learnt the basics, you can then use the time with the trading coach most effectively.

Some group sessions meet in person, and others use online forums for questions and answers. Recently online ‘trading rooms’ have become popular for trading coaching. In a trading room, the coach uses software that allows the group to see the coach’s screen and allow the group to ask questions and then hear the answer as the coach answers the questions in real time. Often the coach will be analyzing a live forex or stock market, and this gives the group a chance to understand the thought process of the coach and a chance to ask questions.

Traders often need help in different areas. If you are able to identify where you need improvement, you will be able to use the time with the coach most effectively. For example some people need to improve their trade selection, other need help to manage their emotions so that they don’t take profits too soon or leave it too late to take a loss. A trading diary can help to provide a record of all your trades and demonstrate if you have been consistent in following your trading plan.

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