A Blog of Commentary and Ideas from an FXstreet Premium Member by 
The “Principle” in today’s post is inspired by another friend and Mentor, Derek Frey.
I finally had a chance to meet Derek in person after a few years in the Webinar Rooms when he was visiting Phoenix last January. The discussions I have had with Derek have always been very multi-faceted and unique, and our conversation that evening was even more enlightening. His 20 years of trading knowledge covers so many areas of interest for me…include music, fine art, philosophy, psychology, and many other disciplines.
Perhaps the most unique aspect is we always find similar characteristics in these disciplines that always relate directly to the Act of Trading. Here is one of them concerning what we truly “see” on our trading platforms each day…..
I often receive myself, and observe questions in the FXStreet Webinar Rooms, about all aspects of Trading Platforms. Indicators, Oscillators, and other various Tools from new traders as they begin their learning curve. In the majority of cases, the questions are pertaining to what other Traders may be using…..and not necessarily WHY they are using them.
I have seen countless Platforms that are deeply “busy” with 234 colors, 19 oscillators, 57 indicators…and of course….673 moving averages.
Some humor, of course…but you see my point. ;-)
My formal background in Fine Art really relegates me to being highly “visual” in my own learning and observances.
Every time I see such a “busy” Platform…I find it visually compelling and literally beautiful. Now…after my eyes have cooled off a bit….I always ask myself, ” So where is Price? Can you even see Price on your own Charts here ?…”
I call this affliction the “Video Game Temptress”….as we see many similarities to how Gamers see their Games.
But do the “pretty colors” help you trade ?
It is common for many new Traders to load the boat with these Tools that are supposed to “assist” them in their decisions…when more often than not, they will hinder them as they actively trade.
The primary reason for this is newer Traders will not take the needed time to learn the specific PURPOSE of what that Tool is supposed to do. They simply use it because others are using it and it is popular.
So today’s “Built-In” Lesson is to remember that a Tool…any Tool…on your trading Platform is supposed to CLARIFY and SUPPORT price action.
They are not meant to confuse you or cloud the issue of the only TRUE trading Tool we have… Price.
P.S. Thanks to all who have been following the blog already….it is a real treat for me! Please keep posting your comments, and I will respond to them as my own “learning curve” with WordPress progresses. I deeply welcome the exchange of ideas!
Hi cvj,
I was very happy and excited to see your blogs, after watching your comments in many webinars ,as you became a member of the big family of fxstreet blogs, who are very helpful and respectful.
I want to comment as along time trader(more than 10years forex trader but not talanted as you..haha),
I want to say the reason about being happy is because you are simple trader like any one of us,so your ideas,feelings
,psychology,and reactions will be like any pure simple trader, not wrapped by professional or institutional background of other blogs (with all my respect to them as I mentioned earlier I learned from them alot and helped me alot. )
for example and to be more precise; you mentioned earlier that we are in historical time in currency market,its true as we are in excessive volatility area ,did not happen before may be since late 90ties when all the big move we saw now in weeks or monthes happend in one or two days at that time,(can you immagine spread of 150 pips, yes one fifty)!! so I was glad about your comment about that ,when you mentioned the knife and blood and simply you worned traders to be carful because trading in either directions is dangerous and its better to let the mkt settle down and that will happen for sure, no need to be in a harry.
anyway I am sorry for my long comment,and again I am happy to see your comments ,with respect to all other blogs and.. GO ON Tim.
Rockk
Hi There, Loved the post, one of the things that still stuns me from training people is the number of squiggly lines and colours that people use on their platforms and I must admit that I always ask them, “Can you see price?”
While indicators have there place, but not with me :), most folks think that they are the must have tool to get a 100% strike rate which is sadly down to the markting of all the books out there.
Another great post
Phil N
Hi CVJ
You do have the gift of filtering the best from your mentors/friends/colleagues and presenting to us in a simple way. Thanks!
Although we have seen a few blogs erased from fxstreet, your new blog indeed compensates for that loss!! Now, I should Bravo fxstreet for making the right choice!
regards
su25
Greetings Rockk, Phil, and su25 !
Thank you indeed for your thoughts on this post and support!
I do feel this particular topic is very applicable to all of us….We all sometimes have “too much information” that can get in the way of Price action on our platforms. It is always something to be mindful of.
For Rockk and su25…if you are looking for “ultra-clean” chart views….please tune in to Phil Newton and Derek Frey’s Webinars. They are rather firm advocates of “naked” charts in their own work.
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