New here - Question on managing drawdowns in a trending market
Hey everyone, just joined. Been trading for about a year, mostly discretionary, small caps and some $SPY options. I'm finding it tough to maintain discipline when the market starts to really run, like it has been lately. I nail a few good entries, then often give back a decent chunk because I get too aggressive or hold too long waiting for an even bigger move. It feels like I'm always chasing the next leg up instead of taking profits. How do you all handle the psychological aspect of managing your risk and locking in gains when the momentum is screaming higher? Any strategies for not letting FOMO override your profit targets?
Welcome! That's a common challenge, especially in trending markets where the temptation to maximize every gain is high. Have you considered scaling out of positions as they run, or perhaps using trailing stops to lock in profits while still allowing for further upside?