Jump to content

Welcome to the new Traders Laboratory! Please bear with us as we finish the migration over the next few days. If you find any issues, want to leave feedback, get in touch with us, or offer suggestions please post to the Support forum here.

  • Welcome Guests

    Welcome. You are currently viewing the forum as a guest which does not give you access to all the great features at Traders Laboratory such as interacting with members, access to all forums, downloading attachments, and eligibility to win free giveaways. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free. Create a FREE Traders Laboratory account here.

Soultrader

Right Brain vs Left Brain

Recommended Posts

I havent seen a thread that discusses our right brain vs left brain functions and how it relates to trading. I figured I would start it here so Dr. Janice can add her inputs as well.

 

When I first started trading, my trading was based strictly off my left brain. Now this seriously conflicted with the way I traded because I have always been a discretionary trader or a pure speculator. Right brain usage is a REQUIREMENT in discretionary trading.

 

Here is the breakdown between right vs left:

 

Left Brain

 

  • Logical
  • Sequential
  • Rational
  • Analytical
  • Objective
  • Looks at parts

 

Right Brain

 

  • Random
  • Intuitive
  • Holistic
  • Synthesizing
  • Subjective
  • Looks at wholes

 

While struggling as a developing trader, I realized I severely lacked functionality in my right brain because I had never quite used it. (this can clearly be seen in my drawings) However, I started to pick up books and audio tapes that dealt with expanding the right brain and applied it into practice.

 

In my case, writing down my thoughts and insights daily helped me tremendously to grow my right brain. Even since I created this site, by contributing I was able to further expand my creativeness. As a result, alot of my trading now is through my right brain.

 

What are some of the practices and techniques traders use to expand the left or right brain? When does your right or left brain kick in when you trade?

 

James

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

<<When does your right or left brain kick in when you trade?>>

 

I am big believer in the 'synthesizing' part. The ability to synthesize evolving price patterns across multiple timeframes and put them into their proper context is the most important trading function in the brain, IMO -- and that is right-side.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The article I wrote for August SFO mag is an attempt to show how the emotional and rational pathways in the brain work together or don't work together. It is much to simplistic to think in terms of right brain and left brain. It is a starting point to understand that there are high road and low road pathways involved in making decisions. There is a Mr. Spock and a Dr. McCoy inside of each of our brains. I have spoken about this and there is a video I will find which is an introduction to this. I will write more on this as soon as time permits, as it is an excellent subject.

 

Thanks!

 

Doctor Janice

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hey James,

 

I recommend reading the book "A Whole New Mind" by Daniel Pink. It is a quick and pleasant read that will answer many of your questions, I think. In the book, Pink discusses three forces - Abundance, Asia, and Automation - which should cause people in many professions to re-evaluate their ability to remain competitive as we transition from the "Information Age" to the "Conceptual Age." Pink suggests integrating the left and right hemispheres of the brain and developing six right-brained (R-directed) abilities or senses which he calls Design, Symphony, Story, Empathy, Joy and Meaning. The author also suggests activities to help develop the right brain. I believe that this book should be required reading for all traders, including discretionary and rules-based traders. There is an excellent thread which you started that touches on this topic and where I added my thoughts (http://www.traderslaboratory.com/forums/34/death-of-discretionary-traders-1907-2.html#post12627).

 

To address your question... A mechanical trading system which can be described in a finite set of steps and programmed into a computer utilizes mostly the left brain. In this case, the trader is processing data in a sequential and analytical fashion. A trader who considers market correlation, multiple timeframes, combines economic factors with technical analysis, understands how longs/shorts should be feeling in a market, analyzes the type of trader that is in control of a market, considers where stops are resting, or adjusts his/her trading strategy based on market condition are all examples of right-brained abilities. This requires interpreting and synthesizing different pieces of information, i.e. requires the trader to truly understand market behavior - something computers cannot do better than a human being with the proper skills. James, I would send you my copy, but shipping would cost more than the book itself. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Hey James,

 

I recommend reading the book "A Whole New Mind" by Daniel Pink. It is a quick and pleasant read that will answer many of your questions, I think. In the book, Pink discusses three forces - Abundance, Asia, and Automation - which should cause people in many professions to re-evaluate their ability to remain competitive as we transition from the "Information Age" to the "Conceptual Age." Pink suggests integrating the left and right hemispheres of the brain and developing six right-brained (R-directed) abilities or senses which he calls Design, Symphony, Story, Empathy, Joy and Meaning. The author also suggests activities to help develop the right brain. I believe that this book should be required reading for all traders, including discretionary and rules-based traders. There is an excellent thread which you started that touches on this topic and where I added my thoughts (http://www.traderslaboratory.com/forums/34/death-of-discretionary-traders-1907-2.html#post12627).

 

To address your question... A mechanical trading system which can be described in a finite set of steps and programmed into a computer utilizes mostly the left brain. In this case, the trader is processing data in a sequential and analytical fashion. A trader who considers market correlation, multiple timeframes, combines economic factors with technical analysis, understands how longs/shorts should be feeling in a market, analyzes the type of trader that is in control of a market, considers where stops are resting, or adjusts his/her trading strategy based on market condition are all examples of right-brained abilities. This requires interpreting and synthesizing different pieces of information, i.e. requires the trader to truly understand market behavior - something computers cannot do better than a human being with the proper skills. James, I would send you my copy, but shipping would cost more than the book itself. :)

 

Hi Ant,

 

Thank you for your recommendation. I did a quick search on amazon and found a different interesting books also written by Daniel Pink called, A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future. Are you familiar with this? Im debating which one to read at the moment. Thanks

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I realize that there is a certain "Star Trek" qulaity to what I am going to suggest, but it seems to work for me.

 

If you put on a set of headphones and play specific tones, you can induce specific brainwave. You want an alpha meditative state? Play a 10hz isochronic tone in your ears and you've got alpha. This is called "brainwave entraiment" and nearly all forms of entrainment balance the two hemispheres. This is the concept behind Silva Ultramind Control System among others.

 

I use a $50 program called Neuro-Programmer from Transparent Corp. Google it, you might find it helpful.

 

Buck

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Hi Ant,

 

Thank you for your recommendation. I did a quick search on amazon and found a different interesting books also written by Daniel Pink called, A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future. Are you familiar with this? Im debating which one to read at the moment. Thanks

 

James, that's the same book I was recommending - an excellent read.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Mind Over Markets touched very briefly on this subject. I agree it takes a while to rewire the left to the right or vice versa. I think in order for my right brain to be creative from constant information without interruption from the left brain, I write down in advance on the chalk board the rules made by the left brain to remind the right brain of its obligations. I think this is why writing down the trading plan and keep sticky notes and other reminders do so well to help improve trading and eventually become second-nature-- when the 2 finally work together in harmony.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

One of the first "rules" I read about trading was that intuitive traders inevitably fail, a paper system is the only option.

It is good to see that many disagree.

I tend to see any paper system as liable to be or to become inadequate.

They amount to turning off your brain and trading like a robot.

It would be nice if you could leave it to a robot, we could all retire with ongoing income.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This is an article on intuition, I wish it had more to say.

A search brings up other articles but I haven't looked at them yet.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-20070424-000001.html

 

For me the final go/wait judgement on a trade seems intuitive.

Judging risk, deception and reliability of signals.

I rely on it because it seems crucial, but I don't exactly know where it comes from and that makes it seem like a gamble or wishful thinking. It does rely heavily on experience and not just pattern recognition, its like everything I know being weighed all at once. Yet I don't "know" what it is, only parts of it can be itemized. It is good to see it being taken seriously anyway.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The role of intuition in trading has long interested me, and there have been a couple of articles written about it. I believe that intuition is a learned phenomenon that eventuates from a deep sense of trust in self. The more "successful" one is re: outcome, the more that process is entrained in the brain as intuition. Some traders have what they call a "feel" for the markets. I don't think they wake one day, having never studied the markets, and instantly get that "feel." It appears, rather, that said "feel" is borne from thousands of hours of screen time through ever-changing cycles. Patterns repeat. It is the same in life. You get a "feeling" about someone or something that is going on. It appears to come from your "gut" and you may actually feel sensations in the abdominal area. This is due to the communication from the vagus nerve ( one of the cranial nerves that originates in the brain ) down into the abdominal organs. In naturopathy and other non-allopathic medicines, the gut is considered a second brain. That said, I think that intuition ( unlike instinct) is likely a learned phenomenon. We will need brain imaging studies to disprove this. As you are aware, in science, it is always about disproving, rather than proving. An hypothesis is an hypothesis until it is disproved

Tuesday, I will be presenting a webinar that has received almost no publicity. It will be at woodiescciclub.com at 4:30 PM est. It will be the first time I have presented to this particular group, so I don't know what to expect, how many will be there ( given the absence of publicity), etc.

 

Hope you are all having a great holiday and taking time to share and care with loved ones.

 

Thanks

Doctor Janice

 

Labor.gif

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

An "alumni" audience will be difficult to anticipate.

 

On talkback radio your clinical experience seemed to kick in and have you delivering the goods.

 

Remember to bring yourself flowers.

rosespin.gif.261c5fc690869c7a253df11f1f371b14.gif

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Guest cooter

Tuesday, I will be presenting a webinar that has received almost no publicity. It will be at woodiescciclub.com at 4:30 PM est.

 

Labor.gif

Was there a link to login to woodies to join your webinar this afternoon? I'd didn't see anything listed at that site for your webinar.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Cooter

The seminar was in the "main room", yeah where is that?

The first time I entered a chat room there was some conference software to install and a reboot required. Then I couldn't find any main room, just rooms 1 to 4, with 4 being the likely room but password locked at the time.

 

Today I went to go into the first chat room, some more to DL then bingo, Doc doing an audio/visual, instead of the chat room. I was late getting in, Doc had ISP problems, my conference software also locked up. So it turned into a no go and maybe by the time they get the bugs sorted out things will have started to make more sense.

 

Woodies seem to rely on chat for advertising events, ok for insiders, confusing for noobs.

 

Doc

What I saw looked good, seemed to get a good reception too.

Funny how the challenges in life tend to come from the unexpected directions. No idea how the numbers panned out. Looks like we may all get a second go at this one.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Guest cooter

Hope there's an archive available somewhere then. The thought of downloading and opening unknown .exe files for a chat room doesn't thrill me in the least.

Thanks for sharing.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • Topics

  • Posts

    • DXCM Dexcom stock, great day off the 69.73 support area, from Stocks to Watch at https://stockconsultant.com/?DXCM
    • Depressions aren't real either... ??
    • Dear B4 #42, I heard you can't get out of bed and decided you were going celibate and shaved your head and “reconsidered” having children.  If it took Trump getting elected to get you to stop fkn every Dum, Harry, and Dick you meet, we’ll take it.  thx Sincerely just sayin’ zdo PS To all the other girls I loved B4 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVq0ONrSH-Q 😚
    • MDB MongoDB stock watch for a range breakout at https://stockconsultant.com/?MDB
    • Date: 12th November 2024. Market Buzz: Trump Trade Impact! “Trump trade” has boosted the US Dollar and US stocks, but Trump’s policies may have less favorable effects on global assets. Trump’s plan to raise tariffs is expected to negatively impact economies worldwide, especially exporters like China. Asia & European Sessions:   Bitcoin Surge! Bitcoin broke $90K, driven by Trump trade once again. Bitcoin is up roughly 110% in 2024, helped by robust demand for dedicated US ETFs, interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve and Trump’s cryptofriendly agenda. Crypto market capitalization has exceeded its pandemic-era peak, reaching $3.1 trillion. Traders are betting on Bitcoin reaching $100,000 by year-end, according to data from the Deribit exchange. Open interest — or outstanding contracts — for CME Group Inc. futures for Bitcoin and second-ranked Ether (ETHUSD) scaled records on Monday, a sign of growing engagement by US institutional investors. Asian shares dropped, alongside European and US equity futures, as traders evaluated the implications of President-elect Donald Trump’s policy agenda and potential cabinet choices. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index fell for a third consecutive day, driven by rising Treasury yields amid concerns that Trump’s proposed tax cuts could increase inflation. There are also reports that Trump is considering two individuals for prominent roles in his administration with track records of criticizing China. DAX and FTSE100 are down -1.1% and -0.5% respectively, after a pickup in German HICP inflation and higher than expected UK wage growth dampened easing expectations. Investors await the US CPI report for insights into the Fed’s easing path, as Trump’s inflationary policies may lead to fewer rate cuts. Financial Markets Performance:   The USDIndex continues to rise and is currently at 105.75. It hit a 1-year high. EURUSD drifts to 1.0620 and GBPUSD is in a sell off, currently at 1.2800. Oil prices fell after their biggest 2-week decline, amid a weak demand outlook from China, a stronger US Dollar, and concerns over a potential oversupply. Crude oil has traded within a narrow range since mid-last month, influenced by Middle East tensions, the US election, and OPEC+ output decisions. Gold remains under pressure and is currently at just $2604.36 per ounce. It hit a one-month low, down 5% since Trump’s election victory, as a strong dollar and US equity rotation pressured the metal. Gold’s decline was also technical, breaking below the 50-day moving average, causing funds to cover long positions. Despite recent drops, gold remains up 25% for the year, supported by central bank purchases and geopolitical risks. Always trade with strict risk management. Your capital is the single most important aspect of your trading business. Please note that times displayed based on local time zone and are from time of writing this report. Click HERE to access the full HFM Economic calendar. Want to learn to trade and analyse the markets? Join our webinars and get analysis and trading ideas combined with better understanding of how markets work. Click HERE to register for FREE! Click HERE to READ more Market news. Andria Pichidi HFMarkets Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in FX and CFDs products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.