I have spent the last six weeks just WATCHING the market and testing and evaluating new strategies for my trading - specifically using my data tracking of big % gainers to create my watch list, address my daily routine and test new theories to help with my trading. 

Watching the market has done wonders for me.. Previously, I was frustrated with the lack of options available to a small account holder who loves to short. I look forward to shorting higher priced stocks as the strategy is the same but the price action is not as volatile and good gains can be made. I have learnt some completely new strategies purely from just watching the market which I plan to use later.   

So, my focus now is on the LONG side. Slowly, but surely new strategies are currently been tested. As a small account holder, I know the odds are against me but something has changed. 

I have found a new found confidence in my watchlist, my routine and my understanding of trading the market. I am also well aware that these areas are in constant change as I seek to improve with more knowledge and experience. However, I leave this post with a better sense of what to expect now compared to three months ago when I first joined Suretrader (any questions about Suretrader are welcome.) 

The last few weeks I have realized that the tools learnt from studying Timothy Sykes are extremely valuable, powerful and REAL. I'm currently testing new ideas on how to best use them and admittedly with some of my own ideas too but I definitely need more time. So a I would like to say a massive thank you to Tim Sykes for everything he has done. Without you, none of his students would have bee successful and it's an honor to learn your patterns :) 

To any newbies who may read this post. 

1. Track BIG % gainers EVERYDAY!!!! I can't tell you how important this is. Even if you feel lost with the results like i have in the past... don't worry.... do it everyday, It's like a puzzle, figure it out and it guides you and removes the noise of so many stocks. 

2. Watch the entire SteadyTrade podcast series - Tim Bohen and Stephen Jonk constantly give out so many invaluable lessons, provide advice and ideas from a wide range of talented and newbie traders and mix in some much needed humour. The show is AWESOME and trading can be quite lonely watching a screen for hours.

An extra thanks to ALL the people who make the podcast available and to Tim and Stephen - thank you SO MUCH!!!!! 

3. Never stop trying to learn new strategies, ideas and study. I have over 10 different methods or ideas... yes, most of them fail and the "ipiphany" of I figured it out will happen. but test your ideas to confirm.... I really enjoy trying new ideas and i have spent entire weekends building and testing new ideas. It a process... it's slow but worth every bit of it and the confidence I now have from studying long ridiculous hours is growing, given where i was six months ago when I first started. I wish I had "StockstoTrade" as a resource but for now I don't (it's on my wish list). I now have my own method instead and I realise that having a small account has forced me, to find my own way. 

4. Study, study and more study and don't be a tight arse. Roland Wolf (maybe someone else) said it best in one of the Steady Trade episodes... I too thought I could just watch the free lessons on youtube, etc. There is too much noise with out guidance. As a cheap alternative I bought "How to Make Millions." Idiots refer to the video as old BUT TRUST ME THE INFORMATION IS PRICELESS AND I CAN'T SPEAK ENOUGH ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT IT IS.... It has inspired me in so many ways. In time I hope to be a student of Tim's but for now, this is my process and journey. 

Good luck to everyone :) I am always happy to answer questions however I also must state that as a matter of respect for Tim. I will not provide you with details from the DVD series (buy it yourself - it's your education) or my specific strategies. YOU HAVE TO LEARN THEM YOURSELF.. but I will answer reasonable questions.