Others in a team or social network also get it when they see one of their own commended or praised. However, it can be tricked. How? Well we look for leadership and follow...sometimes it’s misplaced...so in volatile markets when we look to their guidance and help...we expect them to have the market answers. When they don’t...we vilify them...remember the trusted bankers back pre 2008.


 and other amorphous feelings. It’s the feeling when, with help, your trading systems work. It’s a reward for taking the time and energy to put it all together and it’s personal. In a trading room, it’s the feeling both you and IT guys get when you get things sorted. Each appreciates what each does...and vocalise it...not email. It’s the personalised call or visit to a customer. Trading alone it’s the well done call from a fellow trader or your broker or from others in the social trading group. Yes - witnessing your activities also gets some... both parties get a little lift. It is about ‘doing nice’.


Then there’s the Big C...(C)ortisol! It is the feeling of  when as social animals, we relied on one another to spot predators. It’s designed to keep us alive – pumping glucose into muscles, increasing heart rate  you see one person in a market getting nervous. As we’ve all got increased Cortisol levels in a trading room…we all get nervous...that’s the problem. Not only because of markets but because we’re not supposed  growth hormones and the immune system…if you’re about to run for your life, you’ll not need those. If you start feeling this when trading, be aware...trading may  trading team and likely change their behaviour...they’ll start reacting. If you’re on your own...it can hit your 


So what can we do? Apart from trying to promote ‘real  Oxytocin in our environments to try counteracting  Dopamine...remember each have their place. It’s fairly straightforward... recognise it in yourself...then help another. When a trading desk gets busy...get them some water if you’re not busy...ask how they’re doing. If on your own...take comfort in a positive environment outside of your screen...help out somewhere...   your trading.


Munehisa Homma, originator of Candlestick trading, wrote in his rules that if losing consecutively...prudently step away from the market for thirty days or more for a fresh approach. We mightn’t be able to do that now... but it’s worth remembering he was innately aware of 


Eddie Tofpik E: eddie.tofpik@admisi.com T: +44(0) 20 7716 8201


‘MUNEHISA HOMMA, ORIGINATOR OF CANDLESTICK TRADING… HE WAS INNATELY AWARE OF HORMONAL INFLUENCES.’


13 | ADMISI - The Ghost In The Machine | March/April 2018


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