This guide documents my 1000-day SPX trading challenge, where I aim to grow consistently by focusing on discipline, strategy, and risk management. Whether you’re new to SPX options trading or an experienced trader exploring advanced strategies, this page is your hub for everything related to the challenge.
What is the 1000 Days Trading Challenge?
- A personal accountability project to track every SPX trade for 1000 days.
- Focused on developing consistency, patience, and emotional control.
- Public journal to share strategies, wins, and lessons.
Why Trade SPX Options?
- Liquidity: SPX is one of the most traded indexes in the world.
- 0DTE Opportunities: Daily expirations offer flexibility.
- Cash Settlement: No assignment headaches.
- Advanced Strategies: Great for spreads, calendars, and hedges.
My Core Strategy – SPX Double Calendar
Definition:
A double calendar involves selling near-term options (e.g., 2 DTE) and buying longer-dated options (e.g., 7 DTE) at the same strikes.
Why I Use It:
- Collects premium from short legs.
- Gains from theta decay.
- Benefits if SPX stays within a range.
Example Setup:
- Sell: 2 DTE Put & Call (20 delta)
- Buy: 7 DTE Put & Call (same strikes)
- Manage risk if delta exceeds 0.70 or stop-loss is triggered.
Trading Rules I Follow
- Enter trades only on Mondays & Tuesdays at set times.
- Never chase FOMO – stick to the plan.
- Cut losers fast, let theta work.
- Track every trade publicly.
Results & Recaps
- 📅 Daily Journal – Day-by-day breakdown.
- 📊 Weekly Recaps – Summaries of P/L, lessons, and adjustments.
- 📈 Performance Tracker – Current balance vs. starting balance.
Lessons Learned So Far
- Discipline > Strategy.
- Patience pays more than chasing every setup.
- Automation helps remove emotions.