Day trading is not easy but there are steps to make it easier. Simplicity is key in professional day trading and becoming consistently profitable. The following six steps shall help to focus on simplicity while making trading easier.

1. MAINTAIN A CLEAN TRADING ENVIRONMENT

Day trading requires a structured proceeding. Working in a messy environment does not reflect that requirement and has a subconscious impact on the trader. A tidy trading room and clean desk help to simplify the trading environment. Take away the mess – no unnecessary distractions.

In addition to physical cleaning, digital cleaning is also a factor. Cleaning the computer’s hard drive helps on the one side to keep the computer working fast but on the other side also requires structuring its content which again is supportive for the day trading session – at least subconsciously.

2. REMOVE TRADING INDICATORS

When it comes to trading indicators, "a lot helps a lot" doesn't apply. A larger number indicators, trendlines and a colourful chart picture takes more time to interpret and easily leads to information overload.

Remove all indicators and trendlines from your charts. Instead, simplify the trading approach and focus on reading price action. Professional price action trading does not need indicators and interpretations are taken from the chart picture itself. Also, keep the colours in a neutral way to not overstimulate the brain – it is called day trading, not disco trading.

3. TURN OFF THE NEWS WHEN YOU TRADE

Many traders listen to the news when they trade. In day trading, the charts tell traders what to do, not the news. There are a few news that must be considered, however, here it is rather the fact that there are news than the meaning of those news.

Interpreting news complicate the trading thought process and are of no value unless. There can be bad news but the charts are running long and vice versa. News are just an indication for potentially increased volatility, the further market's behaviour is determined by the chart structure.

4. ONLY USE ONE DAY TRADING APPROACH

A common early stage trading mistake is to switch between different approaches when it has not shown a positive result immediately. Instead of switching the approach and being a beginner in all approaches, stay with one approach and become and expert in that one approach - learn one day trading approach and use it properly. It simplifies the trading itself and helps to improve focus in day trading.

A sharp knife is better than a dozen dull knives.

5. TRADE ONLY ONE INSTRUMENT & SESSION

Each instrument has different characteristics, volatility and tick size. Trading multiple markets, therefore, requires an understanding of the different characteristics. In addition, the same instrument’s behaviour differs throughout the trading session. A market behaves differently during the EU session than during the US session for example.

As a result, each market has its own characteristics in each trading session. Sticking to just one instrument in one trading session makes it easier to get familiar with the instrument’s behaviour and does not make it unnecessarily complex.

6. ACCEPT THAT TRADES RARELY HAPPEN

Simplicity eliminates a lot of noise and false opportunities in day trading and, consequently, the above recommendations will lead to fewer trades. With only one instrument, one session and one trading strategy, trading opportunities will be limited.

That might make a boring impression at the first glance but a trader’s aim is to execute trades with a high probability of success, not executing trades for the fun of executing - execute one good trade at a time. Think like a hunter, who will quietly stalk game for a long period of time before shooting it. Patience is a virtue a day trader must have combined with a simple approach.