Today after the Close we talked about vacation. \u00a0When to take it. \u00a0What to get out of it. \u00a0And why it is important. \u00a0Let’s discuss.<\/p>\n
You cannot trade everyday. \u00a0You will burn out. \u00a0 Your trading will suffer. \u00a0You will make less for the year if you do not take time to recharge as opposed to trading everyday. \u00a0 Danny Lee on our desk would trade everyday if we let him. There are days after the Close on Fridays I know he is pissed that the markets will be closed the next day. \u00a0I just ordered him to take a vacation. \u00a0I learned in law school that you reach a point of diminishing returns. \u00a0At least this is what I allowed myself to think when I couldn’t understand some Federal Tax statutes. \u00a0But as a trader you must recharge. \u00a0And the weekends are not enough.<\/p>\n
I take at least two vacations a year. \u00a0I would like to take four but I never get around to it. \u00a0This is the huge disadvantage of being a partner. \u00a0The last week in August, the XMas holidays, and when it is really cold in February\/March are times I try and get away. \u00a0Usually I never make it happen for the XMas holiday. \u00a0Ripper. \u00a0But I should.<\/p>\n
I like to find a nice beach for my vacation. \u00a0Long runs on the beach clear my head. \u00a0The sun beating down on me, sweat dripping, physically exhausted, with a perfect view of the water is just about as good as it gets for me. \u00a0Maybe this is because I grew up on the water in Long Island and this reminds me of simpler days.<\/p>\n
I am very creative when I am away. \u00a0Some guys on our desk joke that I send them more work to do when I am on vacation then when in NYC. \u00a0This is accurate. \u00a0I think of different ways to trade and train. \u00a0I think of new ways for our business to grow. \u00a0And I clearly see what is important. \u00a0Before returning I create a mission statement for my trading and my trading business, my prop desk. \u00a0And as a result my trading and business improves.<\/p>\n
We get so bogged down in details during the week. \u00a0Today I made ten phone calls, had seven meetings, wrote 50 emails, traded the open and close and it is still not 6PM. \u00a0And I still have to get my laundry, finish this blog, and finish a chapter for my book. \u00a0How can you think creatively in such an environment? \u00a0I spend too much of my time reacting and very little creating. \u00a0But getting away helps me refocus on what is most important and develop a plan that I can execute.<\/p>\n
Also I just get tired without a vacation. \u00a0Lately I have not been sleeping well. \u00a0Each day is a physical struggle to survive. I could use, we all could use, a few days in a row where we catch 9 solid hours of sleep. \u00a0And my mind could use a break. All day long I challenge my brain to run as productively as it can. \u00a0At the end of most days my brain hurts from all the thought. \u00a0A week away to ask less of it is a good thing.<\/p>\n
The last week in August historically is the best time to vacation. \u00a0Save the Open, generally you will not miss much. \u00a0And since you need a vacation and this is usually a slow week this is a great time to get away. \u00a0I never understand the young guys on our desk who take off the first week in August, or some time in July. \u00a0Those are not the times to take off. \u00a0 But the last week in August and even the first week in September are historically reliable weeks to recharge without missing much market action.<\/p>\n
If any are excited about where they are going on vacation, I hope you share with us. \u00a0For me it will be the Outerbanks. \u00a0 A huge house on the ocean. \u00a0A pool (got to get some laps in), a desk overlooking the ocean (great reading location), a grill (marinated salmon), tennis (US Open season), golf (wait I thought I wanted to eliminate stress), and friends coming in and out for visits (those I don’t find annoying). \u00a0Now that is what I call a vacation……Chop!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"