Welcome to the BEST posts, videos, and tools on the EminiMind blog.
I've created over 100 EminiMind posts and videos to help you in your trading. Sorting through all that information can be a little overwhelming so I went through and organized my BEST content for you.
Find the topic or topics that interest you the most, and enjoy!
Note: All the EminiMind posts can be found in the Archives.
The Basics
Do you really know how the futures market works? If the answer is anything but yes, make sure to review the following two articles outlining some of the basics. Trading successfully begins with a sound understanding of the fundamentals.
On a broader scale, here is a little story about WHY in our quest for success?
Goal Setting
I like to take a top down approach and begin by looking at the bigger picture. Trading is just a small piece of the pie. It's important to put together a long term plan that includes investments for retirement. Here are some tips and exercises to get started.
Initial Setup: Computer Requirements and Trading Software
Once you setup an environment for your trading, a reliable charting package and order execution platform are the two pieces of software you will need. Here are some posts to help you setup your trading office and a review about the platform I use, Infinity Futures. For charts I use the Thinkorswim platform.
Setting Up Your Trading Screen
Once you're up and running, the next step is to setup your trading screen. Setup your screen with the indicators and tools which you need to make trading decisions. I challenge you to remove anything that does not directly relate to your trading system as this can distract and cause you to hesitate when it comes time to pull the trigger.
Trader Interviews, Stories, and Other Insights from Top Traders
Learn by emulating. Those who have experience in our field of expertise can act as great resources. I myself have learned great deal from the successes and failures of other traders, especially those talked about in the Market Wizards series. In this group of posts you can read about my story, and learn from other great traders.
Developing a Trading Strategy
As I progressed through my trading career I found myself pulling various methods and tidbits from other traders. Here is a two part series I put together on how you can develop a profitable trading strategy.
Market Internals: The Foundation of a Great Trader
Understanding market internals acts as the foundation of great trading. In this 5 part series I address each market internal (Breadth, A/D Line, Trin, and Tick) and help you better understand how to incorporate them into your own trading.
I've created a video on how to setup your market internals in Thinkorswim the same way I do, that video can be found here:
Learn From Your Mistakes (And the Mistakes of Others)
In 2011 I had the pleasure to speak at the Trader's Expo in Las Vegas (for the 2nd time). The topic for my talk revealed common mistakes that trader's (including myself) make and techniques you can use to avoid them.
The Mental Game: Trading Psychology
Trading I feel is made up of a mental aspect, mindset, and the physical aspect, execution. The mental game is the harder part to master and is what most traders' lack. I believe trading is 90% mental and 10% execution. While you certainly need that 10% to make money, in order to execute effectively you must have the right mindset.
The following posts are my best pieces to help with your trading psychology.
I couldn't finish this section off without talking about Trading in the Zone by Mark Douglas. This is a fantastic book which took my trading to another level after I read it.
Indicators
Deciding which tools or indicators to use and which to disregard is an iterative process. Given so many options, here are a select few indicators which I have honed in on over the years. You may find them useful in your trading or, you may not.
Tools for Building a Successful Trading Journal
Analyzing your trades after the market is closed is a crucial step to improvement. You will need an organized way to categorize, analyze, and reflect on your trades.
The trading journals that I use are:
Here are a few posts on how you can build your own personal trading journal and a short market homework assignment for you to add to your nightly routine.
Motivational Videos
We call go through rough periods in our trading. I put together a collection of videos that I found particularly motivating. You can watch those in this video tribute post.
Taxes, Benefits, and Legalities
If you are actively trading the markets then it is wise to think about creating an entity for your trading. Whether you plan to trade full-time or part-time, there are many tax laws which can benefit you as a trader. I talk about some of them in this article and reference a few places you can go to find out more information.
Other Can't Miss Items
My Resource Page – Additional tools and books that I use every day in my trading.
My Trading Rules – Specific setups, defined rules, and methods for developing a winning mindset.
Futures Trading Newsletter– Subscribe to the EminiMind newsletter and join over 1,100 traders benefiting from weekly insights from a full-time futures trader, completely free!
Advanced Trading Techniques – Continue growing as a trader with this monthly membership feature with exclusive webinars, videos, trading documentaries, and other bonus items.
All the EminiMind posts can be found in the Archives.
