How do you avoid getting emotionally involved in a stock?

My biggest losses have all been the result of getting emotionally involved in a stock(especially one that has made me money in the past). What strategies do you use to avoid this.

Best Answer

SirCrashton answered a question in General Market.
380 points

SirCrashton answered one year ago …

All previous posts are excellent suggestions. As a novice trader, one other thing that is helping me to overcome emotional responses is to do lots of paper trades adhering closely to the trading rules I established for myself. Because of the sheer number of trades I track, this process enables me to become "desensitized" about individual stocks and refine my trading rules as I gain experience, without costing me any real money.

Read more from SirCrashton



Answers

7million7years answered a question in General Market.
699 points

7million7years answered one year ago …

Simple: by have 'investment rules' that tell you what and when to buy.

Then the question becomes: "How do you avoid getting so emotionally involved in a stock that you forget your rules?" ;)

Read more from 7million7years


slick answered a question in General Market.
391 points

slick answered one year ago …

create a system with strict rules and follow it!

Read more from slick


gap answered a question in General Market.
141 points

gap answered one year ago …

One easy way is to just look at your profits and get out when you hit predetermined levels,no matter how much high it may go after you sell it...Investment is not for Charity..you need returns...leave the best for the next

Read more from gap


tarenfro answered a question in General Market.
129 points

tarenfro answered one year ago …

It important to know your own emotional state when you are making trading decisions. If you don't you can't separate your logic from your emotion. If you are feeling particularly stressed out or anxious don't trade. You should use stop losses either actual entries into your broker or online account or a mental stop. This will help you stay out of large losses when stress is high. Don't gamble (speculate) with money that you depend on for day to day needs. Consider the worst that can happen and plan accordingly. If you are a highly stressed person consider more conservative investments or an independent money manager that you can trust.

Read more from tarenfro


JessieL answered a question in General Market.
102 points

JessieL answered one year ago …

Before buying have a clearly defined exit strategy and stick to it.

Read more from JessieL


larryat36 answered a question in General Market.
435 points

larryat36 answered one year ago …

By having a clear trading plan and sticking to it rigidly. That way you will have your risk reward already set at the time of the trade.

Read more from larryat36