If you want the long version of how I got to where I am you can read it here.
Here is a Cliff’s Notes version (well sort of a Cliff’s Note version, it did get a little long)
In 1999 I decided I’d had enough of the corporate world, quit my job, and enrolled in the school of hard knocks called trading. I quickly came to the realization that there is no formal training nor schooling that will prepare you for this career.
I truly love trading. It intertwined my love of the market with another passion in my life, technology. Unfortunately, a passion for the market and technology are not enough to elevate you to that very sacred place few are welcomed to called “consistently successful trader.” Thus I started my quest, “What did I need to do to find this sacred ground.”
Trading in the Zone
After reading Mark Douglas’ Trading in the Zone, I concluded what I needed was an automated, well-defined, well-thought-out plan that had been verified through backtesting. In other words, an algorithm. Now I just had to find that system.
Larry Connors
I had been following Larry Connors for years and liked his philosophy. I was able to get my hands on some of the code he uses in 2011. This was the first step down the yellow brick road to making algorithms my own.
I soon realized, even though I had a background in software programming, learning a new computer language was going to take a lot of work. I needed to incorporate all the idiosyncrasies involved in developing an algorithm. Was I up for the task? I decided to spend the time in development and hire out the programming. Little did I know what a phenomenally good decision that was on my part.
Bruce Robinson
Although I had a few false hires, I ended up contacting the one person who is probably the best in the business. Lucky for me, I found him at a time when he was taking on new clients. Bruce decided he liked what I was suggesting and took me under his wing. Even though he restricts his client base to advisors who manage millions of dollars.
I have spent hours (and mean H O U R S) on the phone with him patiently explaining why I had to do what he was trying to get me to understand. I wasn’t always the most willing client for his services were darn expensive. But he convinced me to take heed of his “suggestions.” I came to the recognize his knowledge of the market and programming transcended anything I could ever hope to attain and I needed to just go with his recommendations.
With no idea where it would lead had started down this road. I would have probably abandoned the idea immediately had I’d known how hard it would be
Fortunately, though I remained unaware of the hours and dollars it would take to fully flesh out an “automated, well-defined, well-thought-out plan that had been verified through backtesting and forged ahead. Today I now have all the pieces in place. And am very glad I have taken the path I have. I can now truly say the best way to trade is Plan your Trade and Trade your Plan.
We’re the Plan in “Plan your Trade and Trade your Plan” – TraderJanie
“If awesome were inches, we’d be the Effiel Tower.”
