Filters are a very helpful tool because they crunch a lot of numbers very quickly and give me an indicator that's simple and quick to read. However, they are simply a portion of our day trading process which we outsource to the computer to increase efficiency and effectiveness. The synthesis of all available information and final decisions for entry and exit belong to me, the trader.

Filters are a very helpful tool because they crunch a lot of numbers very quickly and give me an indicator that's simple and quick to read. For that reason, I relinquish all responsibility for my trading decisions to these tools. Let's face it: computers are smarter than us. It's only a matter of time before they replace me and every other trader, so might as well get on board now.

Filters are a very helpful tool because they crunch a lot of numbers very quickly and give me an indicator that's simple and quick to read. They also act as a get-out-of-jail-free card for me, because if I gain on a trade I can claim the credit and brag to my friends, but if a trade results in a loss I can just blame my filters. I don't see any conflict of interest in using filters this way.

None of the above are helpful views of the role of filters within my trading system.

Leverage the power of paper trading to test and build trust in my strategy under live market conditions, but still not jeopardize my cash or margin funds.

Start out by developing and testing my strategy in a replay simulator, which gives me realistic feedback but is void of risk to the funds in my trading account.

Isolate each variable and test it across varying market conditions and adapt my system to enhance reliability, measure what I want to manage effectively by logging and analyzing each trade in my trade log, and by testing my same rules on randomized dates to ensure it's translatable enough to stand the test of time.

All of the above are ways I can test my trading strategy in order to enter the live market with confidence.

I want to go down in history as the only undefeated trader, so I have to maintain my perfect record. That's why I don't log my losing trades - there's no evidence so it basically never happened.

Losses are part of day trading. Whether I lose because I made a mistake or because my system simply had a miss, I log those trades honestly and with just as much attention as if it had been a gaining trade.

Who cares about measuring my results in some spreadsheet? When you're as naturally talented as I am, you can just figure things out as you go.

Losses are inevitable, but what matters isn't the outcome of the trade - it's about how you respond. Whenever I record a loss, I get revenge by immediately trading that same trade in the opposite direction. If a put lost me money, a call will surely gain me money, and vice versa.

Attaching my definition of successful performance to not just the results, but all aspects of my trading system such as trends in my decision-making that point to emotional hijacking.

Getting psyched up, slamming an energy drink, and gearing up emotionally like it's game day and the pressure's on me to be the hero and swing the market in my favor.

Staying calm and relaxed, and sharpening my awareness of my own emotional mindset so I can refrain from trading if I ever feel compelled to make risky decisions.

Sticking to the process I've drilled hundreds upon hundreds of times in the simulator to work in a variety of market conditions.