Modernist versus Traditionalist Approaches to Trading
Wednesday 3 November 2010
Modernism and traditionalism as well as the various trading styles and methodologies found within the markets are things that every trader should understand and appreciate. Modernism (as I use the term in this blog) is related to proprietary systems used for trading, in contrast to traditionalism, which is based on traditional approaches used in trading smaller markets within the trading industry.
I hope you will understand there is a difference between modern and traditional systems and will explore the difference with an open mind. In general, I’ve found that learning something about the history of the forex, as well as a few of the different types of traditional signals, trading styles, and other concepts (information that is available to everyone for free or for a fee) helps you see the significance of trading the larger forex market while using proprietary tools instead of traditional software. This requires just a little personal research. After you learn the basics from this blog, and after you develop a personal awareness about the largest financial industry in the world, your eyes should be open to the possibility of becoming a professional trader or, if you’re already trading, to becoming a better trader.
I must give credit to those who early on forged the way with research and development, often by trial and error. These traditionalists made it possible for everyone to enjoy the opportunity that the forex market presents today. Experimenting and seeking the secrets of success should never be ignored. Many traditional traders from Wall Street are the unsung heroes of the trading industry—as well as those who filed for bankruptcy along the way while looking to find the secret of perfected entries, stops, and limits.
In addition, there are others who had large amounts of money, which gave them the power to stay in the market: They made fortunes without much focus on either the technical approach or the fundamental approach to the markets. George Soros stated in one of his books that to be successful in the forex, a trader must have “sustaining power,” meaning enough money to survive market swings; many traditional traders became swing traders while not using stops. When the market moved against these traders, their hope was that the market would eventually come back to profits; and often it did. However, when losses did occur, the damage to margins was often so severe that some traders had to quit the industry.
With the advancement of technology and continued research into the market recently, Mr. Soros’s theory may not be true any longer. With a little research, you may find that some very famous traders and authors have either filed for bankruptcy or left the market with ongoing failures because they would not consider evaluating new, proven concepts and methodologies that have been developed.
There are many newly developed trading procedures and strategies available now in the marketplace. Traders new to the industry must remember that success comes only with effort.
Many market explorers, research technicians, and traders have quit (or even passed away) just before success might have been reached. When I began trading, I reminded myself of how Thomas Edison struggled in the beginning of his most successful venture. When developing the light bulb, he continued to forge forward, at great expense, attempting more than 1,000 (some say 10,000) time-consuming experiments before achieving success. I also thought of the cheetah, which has been tracked at running nearly 80 miles per hour but nevertheless has to make an average of 100 attempts to kill one antelope for dinner. One success out of an average 100 attempts would discourage any new trader if this were the case in the market!
Many beginning traders experience losses just before achieving success, and most will give up trading with a bad attitude toward the industry or, worse yet, toward their mentor. I have met traders who believe that their failure means that someone else must be to blame, yet these same traders will always accept success and forget their guiding mentors. If you cannot be responsible for your actions in the market, you should never trade the forex. Jim Rohn, a famous speaker and author, once said that most issues regarding failure are found between the ears.
I would suggest you keep an open mind to traditional trading styles, but also be open to the new systems and procedures that are developed every year to accommodate market conditions that seem to be changing constantly as the industry grows. Successful trading requires ongoing research and development, which only a few companies in the world are willing to share with the average everyday trader.
I hope you will understand there is a difference between modern and traditional systems and will explore the difference with an open mind. In general, I’ve found that learning something about the history of the forex, as well as a few of the different types of traditional signals, trading styles, and other concepts (information that is available to everyone for free or for a fee) helps you see the significance of trading the larger forex market while using proprietary tools instead of traditional software. This requires just a little personal research. After you learn the basics from this blog, and after you develop a personal awareness about the largest financial industry in the world, your eyes should be open to the possibility of becoming a professional trader or, if you’re already trading, to becoming a better trader.
I must give credit to those who early on forged the way with research and development, often by trial and error. These traditionalists made it possible for everyone to enjoy the opportunity that the forex market presents today. Experimenting and seeking the secrets of success should never be ignored. Many traditional traders from Wall Street are the unsung heroes of the trading industry—as well as those who filed for bankruptcy along the way while looking to find the secret of perfected entries, stops, and limits.
In addition, there are others who had large amounts of money, which gave them the power to stay in the market: They made fortunes without much focus on either the technical approach or the fundamental approach to the markets. George Soros stated in one of his books that to be successful in the forex, a trader must have “sustaining power,” meaning enough money to survive market swings; many traditional traders became swing traders while not using stops. When the market moved against these traders, their hope was that the market would eventually come back to profits; and often it did. However, when losses did occur, the damage to margins was often so severe that some traders had to quit the industry.
With the advancement of technology and continued research into the market recently, Mr. Soros’s theory may not be true any longer. With a little research, you may find that some very famous traders and authors have either filed for bankruptcy or left the market with ongoing failures because they would not consider evaluating new, proven concepts and methodologies that have been developed.
There are many newly developed trading procedures and strategies available now in the marketplace. Traders new to the industry must remember that success comes only with effort.
Many market explorers, research technicians, and traders have quit (or even passed away) just before success might have been reached. When I began trading, I reminded myself of how Thomas Edison struggled in the beginning of his most successful venture. When developing the light bulb, he continued to forge forward, at great expense, attempting more than 1,000 (some say 10,000) time-consuming experiments before achieving success. I also thought of the cheetah, which has been tracked at running nearly 80 miles per hour but nevertheless has to make an average of 100 attempts to kill one antelope for dinner. One success out of an average 100 attempts would discourage any new trader if this were the case in the market!
Many beginning traders experience losses just before achieving success, and most will give up trading with a bad attitude toward the industry or, worse yet, toward their mentor. I have met traders who believe that their failure means that someone else must be to blame, yet these same traders will always accept success and forget their guiding mentors. If you cannot be responsible for your actions in the market, you should never trade the forex. Jim Rohn, a famous speaker and author, once said that most issues regarding failure are found between the ears.
I would suggest you keep an open mind to traditional trading styles, but also be open to the new systems and procedures that are developed every year to accommodate market conditions that seem to be changing constantly as the industry grows. Successful trading requires ongoing research and development, which only a few companies in the world are willing to share with the average everyday trader.
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Modernist versus Traditionalist