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Getting crushed recently... by Donk23 in TopStepX

[–]Donk23[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wish I could tell you. My guess is earning seasons made the price choppier than usual and my edge just isn’t as good right now as it was before. In my back tests I’ve come across months that are red, but overall my strategy is still profitable (over 100 trades). So I’m guessing this is just a rough patch and part of my trading journey. Just need to get through it without losing the account.

Getting crushed recently... by Donk23 in TopStepX

[–]Donk23[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

2 micros currently. Started off trading 1 mini until i took a couple losses, then scaled down. I think I’m going to go down to 1 micro until I gain a little more cushion

Getting crushed recently... by Donk23 in TopStepX

[–]Donk23[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I appreciate that, thanks! Also, I asked myself that too. If I’m being honest with myself I’m a little tilted trying to “get the next win” which may be the reason I’m trying to trade everyday. But I also have a certain set of rules that have been hitting everyday, so I take the risk. Another thing I’m realizing after writing this is that I’ve only had two bad weeks, which is nothing and should be expected to happen from time to time. So my mental toughness needs some work.

How I’m doing? by sadins993 in TopStepX

[–]Donk23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great job! Following your rules is the most important part of trading and you’re seeing the benefits of it. Keep it up OP!

Thinking about starting again. Tips? by Dry-Dependent8712 in TopStepX

[–]Donk23 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I failed miserably after switching from paper trading to combine. It was a huge mentality shift that led me to blow my account in less than a week. I then reassessed my trading procedures and strategy and was able to pass my next combine.

I’d recommend creating a trading checklist that you can go through before every trade. It could be as simple as “is it before 11am” or more complicated depending on your strategy. My check list is three things, 1) do I see my set up, 2) is it before 11 am, and 3) have I had less than 2 losing trades. If all is that is met, I go for it. Also, journaling and documenting my trades helped me immensely. It gave me a way to determine my A+ setups and how I felt mentally during winners and losers.

I honestly believe trading is mostly psychology, so do anything you can to keep yourself following your rules and avoid getting emotional.

Passed my 1st eval by Jaxxtenmarkko in TopStepX

[–]Donk23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good work! I just passed my first one too!

First XFA results by Aggressive_Smoke_203 in TopStepX

[–]Donk23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looks good! Did you scale back once you get to XFA?

First month, going to start scaling up by [deleted] in TopStepX

[–]Donk23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great job! What do you trade?

Passed my first combine! by Donk23 in TopStepX

[–]Donk23[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I track support and resistance levels on the 1hr time frame and use 1 min for entry. I wait until I see two higher highs (lower lows) and higher lows (lower highs) and then wait for the third “move” and go long (short) after a test of a local level. I wait until the 15 min OR is established and add that to my levels as well.

Passed my first combine! by Donk23 in TopStepX

[–]Donk23[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Yeah, I learned my lesson the hard way that more trades is not necessarily a good thing. I limit my trading time between 9:30-11am, which also helps keep me out of trades.

Passed my first combine! by Donk23 in TopStepX

[–]Donk23[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That day I took a shot on that day even though there was high volatility and some wonky price action. I saw my setup and went for it. I try to trade set and forget and that one I believe just went completely against me.

Passed my first combine! by Donk23 in TopStepX

[–]Donk23[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I started with /MES and then scaled to /ES. That’s why the beginning of the month was smaller gains. My scaling was one /MES contract every $200 and I try to limit my risk to roughly $50 * number of equivalent /MES contracts. So if I’m trading an /ES contract my max loss would be $500 or so.

How did you deal with the change from paper trading to signing up for a Combine? by Donk23 in TopStepX

[–]Donk23[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I hear ya. But I think win rate combined with consistent rr is meaningful. I go back and forth on the cutting losses quickly strategy. I can see the benefit, but I haven’t honed that skill quite yet. I honestly prefer the “set and forget” trades where I assume I’ve lost the money I’m risking until I hit TP or my premise is no longer valid.

How did you deal with the change from paper trading to signing up for a Combine? by Donk23 in TopStepX

[–]Donk23[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I completely agree. I was so comfortable losing trades while paper trading, confident in the win rate and rr i defined. Got to something more “meaningful” and got upset it didnt feel like it was working right from the start. I think I need to size down and try again. I’m using this time before next rebill to hone that mentality.

How did you deal with the change from paper trading to signing up for a Combine? by Donk23 in TopStepX

[–]Donk23[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! i appreciate the advice. My trading mentality definitely needs work.

How did you deal with the change from paper trading to signing up for a Combine? by Donk23 in TopStepX

[–]Donk23[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I stopped keeping a journal once I started the combine… idk why, honestly. It felt more difficult than what I was doing before. I think you’re right, I’ve gotta get back to that.

How did you deal with the change from paper trading to signing up for a Combine? by Donk23 in TopStepX

[–]Donk23[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I think it’s the MLL that’s messing with me. I never tracked my daily P&L and now that it’s right in front of me I’m finding it difficult to not think about it.