Skip to content

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

The habits of successful traders with Jason McIntosh

Understand what sets successful traders apart. Learn the habits that help them give themselves an edge in the financial markets.

Reading time: 28 minutes

Trading level: Beginner

HABIT FORMATION • MINDSET • TECHNIQUES

Video poster image

Introduction by Louise Bedford

A lot of success habits don’t spring from our automatic instincts. We have to train ourselves to behave in particular ways.

Developing good habits is at the core of our success in the markets.

Habits allow us to put some activities on auto-pilot, so we can focus on more cognitively demanding tasks.

But how do we develop good habits to help us to stay strong, as well as focus on the areas required?

To explore this essential area, I’ve invited Jason McIntosh, the founder of Motion Trader, to share some of his thoughts.

Jason is a systematic, rules based trader. His career began on the trading floor of a leading investment bank in 1991. He specialises in identifying price trends and calculating precise exit points.

We’re going to discuss the habits of successful traders. Many of Jason’s insights come from his years of working alongside some of the best traders in the world.

Welcome Jason…

Questionnaire

Why do you think developing good habits is important for a trader?

You’re an endurance athlete. What overlaps do you see between being an endurance athlete and being an effective trader?

What are the key habits your top traders have adopted?

You talk about Ed Seykota’s 5 rules. Ed is one of the Market Wizards, and is known to be one of the most recognised traders in the world. Tell us about these 5 rules and the importance of rule number 5.

Through repetition, when a behaviour becomes hardwired in the brain, it can form a habit. Is repetition important to you, or do you approach trading with more creativity?

Do you have specific rituals you do prior to trading?

When traders are under pressure, their habits are often really challenged. They might drink too much, stay up too late, or ignore their trading plans. What can you do if you’re starting to display bad habits like this?

What role does a good routine play for you?

I really like the method of pairing – where you find one thing you do frequently, and then you add another habit to that regular behaviour. For example, after I open my position sizing spreadsheet and fill in the figures to tell me how many shares to buy, my next automatic step is to enter that order on my trading platform. Have you ever used this technique and has it been effective for you?

Is there any research on this topic in relation to traders and investors?

Do you have a ‘try this at home’ tip?

This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets South Africa Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients.

IG Academy - Learn at your own pace

Choose from a huge range of resources, designed to help you learn however – and wherever – it suits you:

  • From beginner to advanced
  • Learn at your own pace with step by step courses including videos, interactive exercises and quizzes
  • Hear from experts in live and on-demand webinars