Trading Journal

This is going to be my trading journal. I also write http://godelsmarket.blogspot.com, but that is less personal and goal-oriented than I hope to make this blog.

Right now I'm reading through some TraderFeed posts (like this one) to help me format a successful journal. I have been trading since 2008, have written blogs, have done analysis, and have worked for a hedge fund in San Francisco. My undergraduate degree is in Mathematics from UC Berkeley, and I have some background in computer programming, albeit mostly as a hobbyest.

This journal is my greatest step forward--a step from rugged amateur to professional.

Professionalism is my goal.

As for the title, I'm not looking for guaranteed wins, or riskless gains. I'm looking for situations that provide me with positive expectation, a la the mathematical concept. There are many ways to go about deriving the likelihood of positive expectation existing among any specific trade. I use computer programs such as MySQL, Python, Excel, and others to aid in building quantitative data-driven positive-expectations.

In addition to these quantitative analyses, I also have extensive experience trading individual stocks and indices. While I cannot explain every trade I take, I often notice positive edges emerge throughout the day. They tend to be on smaller term time frames, but occasionally occur extra-day. I also take trades like these, because my experience has shown that such internalized edges provide positive expectation.

Last but most important. I am looking to survive. I take risk very seriously and do whatever possible to minimize risk when situations change, my edge diminishes, or is even lost. It is easier to lose a dollar than make a dollar. And it is easier to make dollars the more dollars you have. I aim to balance risk wisely, so as not to make my trading ventures any more difficult than they have to be.

Thank you for reading.