I could have told you, myself, anybody, that on a daily basis my character is not suited to trend following at all (according to the boundaries in this article).
Strange thing is that I have had no problems at all trading in a trend following manner over the last 8 years or so, including mechanical, discretionary and on a fundamental basis. I enjoy trend following and feel way more comfortable with it than most people I have worked with.
My opinion is this: my character in my social and ‘outdoors’ life has no meaning in my 'trading' life. I would never approach trading in the same manner that I approach most other things, it wouldn't be right for me at all. What’s more, I would not enjoy trading in the manner that I enjoy other aspects of my existence.
In fact, one of the reasons that I do choose and enjoy trend following is because I know that I score "poorly" on a test like this. I know myself: I know I enjoy a risk and a thrill, so I avoid risky and thrilling trading styles else I might get carried away. I know that I can be overly emotionally influenced by a negative event, so years ago become reconciled with the fact that a losing trade is all part of being in business. It has been years since I cared about a loss anyway. Sometimes I think I care too little! Trend following allows the ‘negative event of a loss in the market’ ro be spaced out and thus all the more easily handled. I know that I avoid duty, dedication and responsibility, which is why I like trend following! Trend following requires one to commit. Short term trading would simply be feeding my short attention span and lack of duty and dependability. These are not good traits so there is no way that I would choose a trading style that augments them.
My results in this test do not worry me at all. But to remain honest to the topic, what does worry me is this: trend following is long and slow and money is lost over months. Plus winning % is low and deep draw downs are normal. All of this allows one (myself) to avoid facing up to reality as reality happens so slowly. Trend following caters to the desire for avoidance. Imagine having 12 months worth of LTTF trades condensed into 2 weeks of short term trading and the result was a 40% draw down. That would have a greater impact and be more arresting than the same result of 12 months. Empty a beach of sand, grain by grain, and one doesn’t even notice let alone think it is a problem. There is a saying like this that is on the tip of my tongue but I cant remember it.
In the meantime, my long term trend following system continues to be not suitable for long term trend following
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