The Truth Behind Profitable TRADING ( must read)Please note : This post isn't meant to scare you away from trading. Quite the oposite. It's meant to show you what NO ONE TALKS ABOUT IT. Better to see it clearly now than learn it expensively later. This post comes from someone with more than 7 years of market experience
♾️How To Really Become Profitable?
Profitable trading is not about finding a magic holy grail, strategy, course or even mentor.
Of course, they can help you, but at the end of the day... You are the ONLY ONE behind the final click.
Profitable trading is all about you! but how?
Let’s get into it !
The average human is not wired to properly trade the financial markets...We are wired in the worst way to be a consistently profitable trader. Trading goes against the human psychology.
To all those learning to trade the financial markets, this game is not what you think it is.
Most books and courses simply do not paint an accurate picture of the reality. Most of traders think the only way to become profitable is focusing on the wrong things:
❌ WHAT WON'T MAKE YOU PROFITABLE
MORE INDICATORS
MORE HARD WORK
MORE TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
MORE WRONG EDUCATION
The truth is that all of these will never really bring you consistent results.
Here’s a list of 6 elements that from my experience are game changers. I will go deep in each element so that you can really understand. Do us a favor and please support and comment this IDEA so that we can reach more traders.
The first and most important element:
✅ PROPER RISK MANAGEMENT
That is the number one killer and doer.
For most traders, they open a position size much larger than they can mentally afford. The problem is that by over risking you automatically let emotions have control over you.
someone once told me:
When emotions increase, accuracy decrease.
Trading is a Game of probabilities you can do everything right and end up wrong and you can do everything wrong and end up winning. There is a random distribution of winning and losing trades. You must be ready to become confortable by losing. You must understand your degree of tolerance. Only you know your risk profile. Only you know what you can afford to lose
Only you know the weight of your current life situation. Only you know you risk apetite.
If you are having a bad situation with risk, just reduce your risk so you can get back the control. You must find the proper position size. This is not about the size of your account or the size of the position in dollars. It's about how confortable you are with proper position sizing.
PROPER POSITION SIZE IS ALSO MENTAL !
✅ PROPER PSYCHOLOGY
For most traders without seing consistent results, they believe their system needs some implementations or modifications, and they focus more on the “analysis” side by learning more stuff. They are in a infinite loop hoping to find that next holy grail. The truth is that you don't need more technical analysis indicators or course. You just need to sit in front of a mirror and understand how your bain acts when you trade.
You must understand how you are affected when trading.
There are many psychological aspects you should focus. We can talk years about it. I advise you to read Mark Douglas for that. One of the most important things is to Dissolve or reduce all your fears. You must learn to trade by dealing daily with your FEARS. You must understand and have a deep talk with yourself to see the way fear control your mind.
Here are 4 types of fears when it comes to trading:
Fear of being wrong
Losing money ,
Distribute profit
Missing out
By other side you must understand the neuro associative conditioning that created good trading habits and self-destructive habits.
Here are some examples of different neuro associative conditioning:
Pro trades see retracements as opportunity to add to their positions while newbies see retracements as threats and might close the trade in profit in a simple pullback.
Pro traders have hope when they have a winning trade and despair when they have a losing trade. While newbies have hope when they have a losing trade because they don't want to be proven wrong, they also have despair to distribute profits when they have a winning trade simply doing a pullback
there are infinite examples. EVERY TRADER HAS IT'S OWN neuro associative conditioning that make or break them.
✅ Healthy LIFE BALANCE
As Paul Sartre said, we are our choices.
What we do with our 24 hours will define the kind of person we are & we become. This is all about changing and adopting proper habits in your pro and personal life.
If you don't manage to balance your personal life... All those bad vibes will send resistive energy and when you get this energy you can either shut down or step through and doo exactly what you are supposed to do regardless. Take care of your personal habits and problems.
Avoid bad habits that drain your energy and focus on good habits that will make your BODY MIND perform well or at least well such as working out, sleeping well, eating clean etc...
Trading is not made for the undisciplined human being. Take care of your body & mind.
Before getting serious with trading, I I used to have a lot of bad habits that honestly, I’m not proud of it. But everything can change.
It’s all about building a proper internal well-being environment.
✅ THINK IN TERMS OF PROBABILITIES
Mismanaging risk is a bad habit. Most of traders have the worst trading habits because they asume the outcome and they don’t like to be wrong. They assume they know what the outcome will be, so they bail out of trades. They think it will make them more money, so they risk more in one single trade because they believe this trade is a high probability one that it will make them money. They have a trade by trade approach. they execute with a Can’t lose mentality
They assume that after a few wins the next trade is likely to be a winner, so they double up. They assume that after a few losses the next trade is likely to be a loss, so they do not execute or they reduce the risk.
It’s okay we all have been there.
By adopting simple proper” SERIES OF TRADE APPROACH” your outcome will change and you will become profitable in the long run. This is what we call think in terms of probabilities.
This is the approach that a few minorities of the traders use. This approach is not based on predicting anything; rather this is a precise pre-defined system of pulling the trigger when your system or edge presents itself, and the outcome of the trade is irrelevant. ALL YOU CARE IS about the outcome of a series of trades.
We take a series of trades, and we are entirely focused on the outcome of the series, and NOT the outcome of each individual trade. The outcome of each trade and attempting to predict the outcome of each and every trade is an uphill battle. You won't be able to predict the outcome of one single trade but yes you will be able to predict the outcome of a series of trades
✅ SOLID PREDEFINED EDGE
Mentors can transfer you knowledge but never experience. You need to use their experience to create your own plan make sure to set rules to find good trades execute those good trades and let those good trades play out. Trading is very personal. What might work for some might not work for you and that's okay. What might work for you might not work for someone else. Everyone is different.
✅ LASER FOCUS LEARNING CURVE
Those who make it in this business were laser-focused; they made a decision to either be right or wrong. A laser shines a coherent beam of light and is powerfully focused on a single point. That point will undergo immense heat or pressure. Same applies to learning to trade. It requires all your energy to be put forth on a single objective.
Compare this with a light bulb or the sun, which shines its rays outwardly with its energy distributed in all directions. You will barely feel the heat as the energy is unfocused and dissipates accordingly. This applies to those traders who have issues They doubt their decisions and jump from one strategy to another they chase the holy grail they change from system, they buy multiple courses, change of style etc….. There is million ways to make money in the markets but only you will make it with your own way. My advice if to become like a laser focus.
SOLID EDGE SOLID EXECUTION NOTHING ELSE.
Make a decision and instead become focused like the laser beam on what it is that you desire to develop, and you are more likely to achieve your target.
In order to keep in mind this, remember this quote of Bruce Lee “I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.”…
⚔️ Final Word
Trading can be simply if you focus on the right things and quit the wrong things.
Tradinglessons
Your childhood goes everything against TRADING!🌱 Growing up vs. Trading
As kids, life drilled one thing into us: WIN, WIN, WIN.
Walk and talk fast – WIN
Get top grades – WIN
Buy the best cars & houses – WIN
Land the dream job & make big money – WIN
👉 Losing? Not even on the table.
But then comes TRADING… and the rules flip.
Here, you actually need to LOSE to WIN.
Small losses = stepping stones to bigger gains.
Consistency + persistence = long-term success.
🔥 The New Rule of Trading
Accept losses – they’re part of the game.
Cut them quick – protect your capital.
Learn from each one – losses = tuition fees for success.
Think of it like a board game…
Every time you “lose a turn,” you’re not failing – you’re moving closer to the BIG win.
Sounds backwards? That’s the paradox that makes trading magical.
⚡ We Weren’t Raised to Take Risks
As kids: “Play it safe!”
As traders: “Embrace risk – but make it calculated.”
Here’s the secret sauce:
Know your risk tolerance – maybe 0.5%–2% per trade.
Diversify – never stack all your eggs in one basket.
Use stop losses – cut risk, lock in gains, stay alive in the game.
🧠 Trading = A Whole New Mindset
Not about avoiding losses but managing them.
Not about avoiding risks but embracing calculated ones.
Not about ego but strategy, patience, and persistence.
💡 Final Word
Trading humbles us.
We shed the ego.
We lose battles but win wars.
We stay consistent.
We accept the small hits… because they’re the price we pay for the BIG victories.
👉 Love your losses. Respect them.
Because every small “L” is one step closer to your biggest “W.”
Disclosure: I am part of Trade Nation's Influencer program and receive a monthly fee for using their TradingView charts in my analysis.
Why Trading is NOT like Childhood Growing up is very different to trading.
We are brought up to walk and talk quickly – WIN
We are brought up to have the best grades – WIN
We are brought up to buy the best cars and houses – WIN
We are brought up to have the best jobs and make a lot of money – WIN
Everything requires WINNING.
Losing? That wasn’t even an option!
Then we get introduced to trading where we need to LOSE to WIN.
We need to take small losses to make medium profits.
And then it’s all about consistency and persistence.
That’s why adapting to the LOSING mentality with trading is paramount for your trading success.
We need to ACCEPT losing with trading
Yep, you read that right.
The trick isn’t about avoiding losses altogether; it’s about managing them.
Imagine you’re playing a board game, and every time you lose a turn, you get closer to winning the game.
It sounds counterintuitive, doesn’t it?
But that’s the magic of trading. It’s not about avoiding losses; it’s about taking small, calculated hits so you can stay in the game long enough to hit that big, rewarding win.
How do you do this?
Accept Losses: Understand that not every trade will be a winner.
Cut Losses Quickly: Have a strategy in place to limit your losses.
Learn from Your Losses: Each loss is a stepping stone towards a better strategy.
We Aren’t Brought Up to Take Risks
As kids, we were told, “Look before you leap!”
We were encouraged to play it safe, avoid risks, and stay in our comfort zones.
As traders, we need to embrace risk.
But here’s the secret sauce: it’s all about taking calculated risks.
How to Embrace Risk Wisely:
Know Your Risk Tolerance:
Understand how much risk you’re comfortable with.
Are you happy to risk 0.5% to 2% per trade? GOOD – You’re on the right path.
Diversify:
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. You need to adapt to different pre-market movers markets when trading.
Adapt more markets to build different portfolios during different market environments.
Use Stop-Loss Orders:
These will limit your potential losses. And adjust your stop losses to breakeven or just above – to lock in small gains along the way.
Trading Requires a Whole New Mindset
Trading isn’t like your childhood.
And that’s okay!
It’s not supposed to be.
It’s a whole new ball game with different rules. In trading, the focus isn’t on avoiding losses but taking and integrating them.
It’s not about avoiding risks but managing them.
It’s not about physical effort but intellectual strategy.
FINAL WORDS
Trading is NOT like your childhood.
We are humbled by the markets.
We drop our ego a bit.
And we keep consistent.
We lose battles but win the wars.
That is how it has and will always be.
That’s how we will strive to thrive and triumph with trading.
Love and accept your small losses. They are one step closer to your BIG wins.
Disclosure: I am part of Trade Nation's Influencer program and receive a monthly fee for using their TradingView charts in my analysis.
3 Dangers of Trading DOUBT (Part 2)Trading isn’t just about charts, indicators, and strategies —
It’s a battle of the mind.
And lurking in the shadows is one of the most dangerous opponents you’ll face:
Doubt.
Doubt stops you from taking action.
Doubt kills confidence.
Doubt leads you to giving up.
So let’s go into why doubt is so dangers and how we can destroy this silent saboteur.
DOUBT #1: Search for Something “Better”
Doubt is where you don’t think something will help you achieve what you want to.
And so you’re on the perpetual quest of finding something new and “better”.
But you need to realise something.
There is NO such thing as the perfect system.
Strategy hopping will you to wasting money, time, effort and energy.
Instead, you need to embrace the imperfections in trading.
You need to perfect your strategy, execution and mind.
Keep at it and you will find that you always had the Holy Grail at your grasp.
Stick to a strategy long enough to learn its nuances and understand its strengths and weaknesses.
Remember, the grass isn’t always greener—it’s just different grass.
DOUBT #2: Failure to Take the Trade
Ever hesitated to take a trade.
Whether you’re trading gold, Dow Futures, JSE or Forex!
Then you end up watching the “imperfect” trade head straight to your profit target?
That’s doubt working its magic.
When doubt clouds your judgment, you start second-guessing yourself.
You start questioning.
“What if it is a loser?”
“What if I am in the wrong trading environment”
“What if my system stops working from here?”
Not taking the trade is one of the most subtle yet dangerous forms of self-sabotage.
To combat this, it’s crucial to develop a routine that instills confidence.
Preparation is key.
When you’ve done your analysis and the trade setup aligns with your plan, just take the trade (J.T.T.T).
Trust your process and let the trade play out.
You can’t win a game you don’t play.
DOUBT #3: Failure to Follow Your Risk and Reward Criteria
Every trader knows that managing risk is paramount.
Yet doubt can lead even the most seasoned traders astray.
When doubt creeps in, it whispers dangerous ideas.
“Maybe I should move my stop loss further”.
“Maybe I should risk more in this trade”
“Maybe I should risk less in this trade”
“Maybe I should drop my take profit to lock in a premature profit”.
When you deviate from your established risk and reward criteria, you’re going against your one and only proven and profitable strategy.
Your risk and reward criteria are there to protect you.
They are the guardrails that keep your trading on track.
Conclusion
Trading doubt is a silent killer.
It can creep into your mind, and sow seeds of uncertainty.
Let’s sum up issues with Doubt.
Stop Searching for Perfection: Embrace the strategy you have and focus on mastering it rather than endlessly searching for a mythical “better” one.
Take the Trade: Don’t let doubt freeze you into inaction—execute your plan and trust the process.
Stick to Your Risk and Reward Criteria: Discipline in following your rules will protect you from doubt-driven decisions that can derail your success.
Bruce Lee’s Way of Thinking Like a TraderIt’s better to have 9 years of experience trading 1 strategy than 1 year of trading experience for 9 systems.~ Timon Rossolimos inspired by Bruce Lee.
Ever heard the saying…
“I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times”?
That’s Bruce Lee, the martial artist legend, and philosopher, dropping some timeless wisdom.
His principles can apply to your life, business and of course trading.
Let’s get into how Bruce Lee’s way of thinking can help you as a trader.
“Absorb What is Useful, Discard What is Not, Add What is Uniquely Your Own”
Bruce Lee was all about simplicity and efficiency.
He believed in cutting through the noise to find what truly works.
The same goes for trading.
When you start, you’re bombarded with endless strategies.
Day trading, swing trading, scalping, position trading…
You’re bombarded by different markets Forex i.e. EUR/USD, Commodities like Gold, Crypto i.e. Ethereum price, Indices i.e. Dow Futures
But here’s the kicker (no pun intended)
Not all strategies are needed nor will they work with you.
The key is to absorb what works and discard what doesn’t.
Take it what works for your trading personality and risk profile – and leave alone the rest.
Make it unique – Make it your own.
Customize it, tweak it, and master it.
“The Successful Warrior is the Average Man, with Laser-like Focus”
Trading isn’t about being a genius.
It’s about having focus.
Bruce Lee knew that extraordinary success comes from ordinary people who have an extraordinary level of focus and dedication.
Have you seen his one-inch punch that pushed the hell out of the guy onto the chair?
That is PURE focus.
As a trader, this means you need to:
Focus on your strategy
Focus on your execution.
Focus on mastering your mind.
Focus on each trade that lines up.
Imagine spending nine years refining a single trading strategy.
Think about the depth of understanding you’d achieve, the nuances you’d master, and the pitfalls you’d avoid.
This deep focus transforms you from an average trader into a successful warrior of the financial markets.
“Knowing is Not Enough, We Must Apply. Willing is Not Enough, We Must Do”
Knowledge alone won’t make you a successful trader.
You must apply what you learn.
Do you think Bruce Lee read books and then became a master martial artist? NO!
He practiced hours a day every day and integrated it HIGHLY into his life.
You can read all the trading books, attend seminars, and follow market news, but unless you apply that knowledge, it’s all for naught.
Without action, they are just ideas.
Trading is about execution.
It’s about taking that well-honed strategy and putting it into action.
Backtest it, forward test it, and refine it through real-world experience.
It’s the doing that separates successful traders from perpetual learners.
“ Mistakes are Always Forgivable, if One Has the Courage to Admit Them”
Mistakes are part of the journey.
Bruce Lee understood that failure is not the opposite of success; it’s a part of it.
In trading, you’re going to make mistakes.
You’ll face losses (what I call data points).
You will make poor decisions (at times) – To err is human.
And you will encounter unexpected market movements.
Take it ALL…
FINAL WORDS:
Bruce Lee’s wisdom transcends martial arts, offering valuable insights for traders.
This has definitely been one of my favourite articles to write.
I hope Bruce Lee’s wisdom and information will continue to linger and spread throughout for the countless generations to come.
One more thing…
Trading isn’t about being the jack-of-all-trades.
It’s about being the master of one.
So, channel your inner Bruce Lee and commit to the path of mastery.
Let’s sum up the powerful Bruce Lee quotes that we covered in this article:
“Absorb What is Useful, Discard What is Not, Add What is Uniquely Your Own”
“The Successful Warrior is the Average Man, with Laser-like Focus”
“Knowing is Not Enough, We Must Apply. Willing is Not Enough, We Must Do”
“Mistakes are Always Forgivable, if One Has the Courage to Admit Them”
PAXG: Good Selling Opportunity
PAXGUSDT
The Price is testing the 3600 resistance zone with clear overbought signals and currently approaching its all-time high with overbought indicators.
BYBIT:PAXGUSDT.P
It is also close to completing a Double Top pattern if the price touches the previous high at 3,600 and closes the day below it , this signals a strong possibility of a downside move
A correction could begin from the strong resistance zone at the previous peak of 3,600.
Position Type : Sell (Short-Term Correction)
postimg.cc
Entry Zone: If the price rises again and touches the sell zone, enter at a price between 3,590 and 3,600.
Targets:
TP1: 3550
TP2: 3525
Stop Loss (SL) : 3,640 if Daily close above this level
Note:
If the price drops first and hits the second target (3525) before reaching the entry zone , this opportunity is invalid.
This opportunity is not financial advice — it reflects only my personal opinion.
PLEASE always do your own research before trading
Why You Need LASER Focus When You Trade – 4 ReasonsTrading is not just crunching numbers.
It’s also about precision, timing, and strategy.
You need to be a perfectionist when you trade.
Because every action you take will determine where you get in and out.
Every action will determine what possible amount you can lose and what you can win.
Every action will determine whether you will add it to your track record or now.
So, I’m going to help you to develop laser focus when you trade.
NO LASER FOCUS AND
You Might MISS a GREAT Probability Trading SETUP
Picture this…
You’ve been tracking a market for days.
The setup you’ve been waiting for finally emerges.
But you’re distracted. From your job, from an email, from the family, from your mindset or even a social media notification.
Or you have missed an important economic news calender event.
And by the time you refocus, the opportunity has slipped through your fingers.
Trading needs your undivided attention.
Each setup is like a rare gem, and you need to be sharp-eyed to spot it.
Missing out isn’t just about lost potential profit; it’s about missing the chance to execute your well-crafted strategy.
NO LASER FOCUS AND
You Might Type in the WRONG Trading Levels
You have your setup, charts and trading platform all ready.
You’ve analyzed everything perfectly, and have your levels.
But one moment of distraction and you might type in an extra 0 or type in the wrong number.
This can lead to larger losses or even not being able to enter your trade.
Here’s an idea.
Pretend that the trade you are taking is NOT for you but rather for a big client with millions that you need to execute.
Now you will feel more obliged to execute correctly and with laser focus right?
Precision is key.
NO LASER FOCUS AND
You Might Type in the WRONG Volume
Volume is crucial.
It’s the engine behind your trades.
It’s the amount that will determine your potential gain or loss.
If you get in with the wrong volume, it could disrupt your entire plan.
You smirk, but it’s more common than you think.
You need to look at the MINIMUM contract you can trade.
You need to work out the position size with the Position Size Calculator.
Incorrect volumes can inflate risks and distort your position size.
You can’t afford to risk more than you can financially and emotionally handle.
Be more accurate with your position sizing and your portfolio will thank you.
NO LASER FOCUS AND
You Might MISS Adjusting Profit or Stop Loss Levels
It’s common to get into a trade because the market is running away.
But then, you might forgot to put in your stop loss and take profit levels.
This can be dangerous!
Especially if you hold overnight and you aren’t awake to monitor and protect your position.
Especially, when the market gaps and you have no choice but to close your trade.
Profit and stop loss levels are like the safety net and trampoline of your trading strategy.
Keep a close eye on your trades and levels please.
Final words.
Laser focus in trading is CRUCIAL.
You are the boss of your own portfolio, financial situation and strategy.
So act like the boss with precision, accuracy and laser focus.
Let’s sum up why you need to have Laser Focus…
NO LASER FOCUS AND
~ You Might MISS a GREAT Probability Trading SETUP
~ You Might Type in the WRONG Trading Levels
~ You Might Type in the WRONG Volume
~ You Might MISS Adjusting Profit or Stop Loss Levels
Why You Must NOT Multi-Task When Trading – 4 ReasonsWhy You Must NOT Multi-Task When Trading
We are taught to multi-task through life.
To be a jack of all trades.
With trading, it’s a golden rule to NOT multi task.
Your focus diminishes.
Your productivity slows down.
And your confusion goes up.
So we need to instead focus on ONE thing at a time.
Here’s why…
🔍 #1: You Miss Crucial Opportunities
Picture this: you’re juggling several tasks at once.
You’re looking at hundreds of markets.
You’re monitoring all the news events.
Your charts look like a Christmas treed.
You’re looking at social media and emails.
And then what happens?
You miss the important trade line ups.
A slight delay in executing a trade can mean the difference between a profit and a loss.
You see, when you multi-task – your attention is divided.
And great opportunities can slip right through your fingers.
Stay focused. Stay vigilant. That one trade might be your ticket to your next winning streak.
⏱️#2: There Are Delays in Trading Decision Making
Speed is of the essence in trading.
The markets move fast, and so should you.
But when you’re multi-tasking, your decision-making process slows down.
You find yourself second-guessing every move, doubting your strategies, and hesitating just when you need to act.
This delay can be costly.
A missed opportunity, a wrong move, or a delayed reaction can lead to nothing happening when it should.
😵💫 #3: Your Stress Levels Are High
Trading alone is stressful.
The constant flux of the market, the pressure to make the right decisions, and the potential financial stakes are enough to keep anyone on edge.
Now, add multi-tasking to the mix, and you’re looking at a recipe for burnout.
Your brain is not wired to handle multiple complex tasks simultaneously.
This overload increases your stress levels, affecting your mental clarity and emotional stability.
Lower your stress and focus on one task at a time.
Your mind will thank you, and your trading performance will improve.
🎯 #4: You Make More Mistakes – You Need Laser Focus!
I’ve professed the idea of LASER your trades.
Look, Analyse, Setup, Execute and Record.
Focus on one part of your trading at a time and you’ll see better performance.
✅ Summary of Key Points:
#1: You Miss Crucial Opportunities
#2: There Are Delays in Trading Decision Making
#3: Your Stress Levels Are High
#4: You Make More Mistakes – You Need Laser Focus!
Set a Trading TIMER – Mr or Mrs Busy!Hey, Mr. or Mrs. busy!
I get it. Finding time to trade in this busy life, is tough.
But as I like to say.
If you have time to have coffee, go to the bathroom or binge Netflix – you have time to build your financial career.
However, if you find it difficult to be disciplined with your trading.
Thern I have a simple trick for you.
🕒SET A TIMER!
Yes, you read it right. Set a TIMER!
If you’ve got just 15 minutes or up to one hour, make it count.
Let’s dive into how you can master the timer when you trade.
💡REASON #1: Remember Parkinson’s Law
Ever heard of Parkinson’s Law?
It states that work expands to fill the time available for its completion.
In simpler terms, if you give yourself all day to analyze trades, you’ll take all day.
But if you limit yourself to an hour, you’ll focus and give all the attention in just one hour.
You’ll be surprised how much you can achieve.
You see, when you set a timer – it creates a sense of urgency. And it helps ensure you stay on task and get the job done.
🎯REASON #2: The Power of Focused Trading
When the timer is ticking, distractions don’t stand a chance.
You’ll notice your brain kicks into high gear, almost with adrenaline.
And you’ll be able to prioritise the tasks and filter out the noise.
This focused trading approach will help you make quick, effective decisions.
That’s the power of a ticking clock.
📝HOW TO Craft Your Perfect 15 Minutes Trading Plan
Alright, let’s break it down.
How should you structure this golden hour of trading?
5 Minutes: Market Analysis – Start by analyzing the market.
Choose the one watch list and go through it attentively.
5 Minutes: Strategy line-up – Prepare your trades
This is where you’ll go through your watch list again – but set up your potential trades lining up according to your strategy.
This is where you’ll jot down your levels (Entry, Stop loss and take profit).
Maybe you’ll write down some notes on why it lined up and whether it’s a high or medium probability trade.
5 Minutes: Execution – Just take the trades
Now if three or four trades have lined up.
Calculate your position sizes and execute your trades that line up perfectly to the strategy.
That’s it…
Now obviously, if you’re following a trading mentor’s style, trades etc… You’ll need less time.
But you’ll need a strategy to follow whenever a trading idea comes out including:
Having your trading platform opened on your devices
Having your position sizes calculated already according to what your portfolio is
Knowing when to expect trades by going to the charts and preparing for the day as you’ll have an idea on what your mentor is showing you.
🏋️NEXT: Staying Disciplined with Your Trading Timer
The hardest part?
Sticking to the timer.
When it says start, you start.
When it says stop, you stop.
If you need more time than 15 minutes – then CHOOSE the time that works best.
This habit builds consistency and prevents burnout.
It’s tempting to extend your trading time, especially when you’re in the zone.
But discipline is key.
At the start you might need the timer for the first few weeks. But then the motivation turns into discipline.
And when the discipline turns into integration – you’ll be able to trade without the timer and without any effort.
🚀 It’s more than just a trading timer
Setting a timer doesn’t just help with trading.
It helps you with other areas of life.
You’ll find yourself more organized, efficient, and in control.
Whether it’s a work project or a personal task, this technique can transform your productivity.
Plus, it teaches you to value your time—a priceless lesson in today’s fast-paced world.
🏆FINAL WORDS: Make Every Minute Count
So, next time you’re about to trade, set that trading timer.
Think of FED – Focus, efficiency, and discipline are your new best friends.
Let’s sum up what we covered today.
SET A TIMER!
REASON #1: Remember Parkinson’s Law
REASON #2: The Power of Focused Trading
HOW TO Craft Your Perfect 15 Minutes Trading Plan
NEXT: Staying Disciplined with Your Trading Timer
It’s more than just a trading timer
The Complete Guide to Stop Trading Procrastination – 8 Actions👋 Hey
Ever found yourself staring at your trading platform?
Your finger can either be 1 mm away from the buy button…
Or feel like it’s the distance of the Great Wall of China.
And you’re still not pressing it.
🎉 Welcome to the Procrastinator’s Club!
Don’t worry—you’re not alone.
Many traders struggle with procrastination.
The good news? It’s totally beatable.
Let’s dive into why we procrastinate and, more importantly, how to crush it and become the trader you’ve always wanted to be.
❓ Why Do We Procrastinate?
🤔 Doubt Your Trades?
Doubt is a confidence killer.
You’re doubting yourself.
Your system.
The markets.
Even trading as a whole.
This leads to hesitation… and missed opportunities.
🗓️ Skip a Trading Day?
Skipping even one trading day can cost you.
Markets don’t wait.
If you’re not in the game—you can’t score.
Even checking from your phone could make all the difference!
📉 Don’t Monitor Your Results?
If you’re not tracking, you’re guessing.
Are you improving?
Is the market environment helping or hurting you?
Without tracking, you’re flying blind.
💥 6 Ways to Beat Trading Procrastination
✅ #1: Choose Your Trading Days
Pick 3–4 specific days to focus on trading.
Avoid unfavourable times (like low volatility Mondays or dead hours in Gold).
Structure = consistency = confidence.
📋 #2: Set Smaller Tasks
Break your workload into bite-size pieces.
One day: analyse EUR/USD.
Next day: track performance.
Next day: update journal.
Small wins add up!
📊 #3: Track Results on a Specific Day
Pick a review day weekly.
Don’t obsess daily.
Your portfolio’s like your weight—it’ll fluctuate!
Track over time, not minute-by-minute
⏱️ #4: Set a Timer
Got 1 hour? Or just 15 minutes?
Set a timer, remove distractions, and lock in.
Even a focused short session can yield powerful results.
🧠 #5: Self-Talk
Talk yourself into trading—not out of it.
“I’ve got this.”
“I know my system.”
“I’m the boss.”
Say it. Mean it. Do it.
🎁 #6: Reward Yourself
Win or lose—if you followed your strategy, celebrate.
A treat.
A break.
Something fun.
This builds discipline + motivation.
🏁 Final Words
Procrastination is a habit.
But so is discipline.
You now have a toolkit.
So…
When are you taking action?
Tomorrow? That’s procrastination.
Today? That’s progress.
Start small. Just start.
🔥 How to Stop Procrastinating:
Remove distractions
Positive self-talk
Reward yourself
👉 Your future trader-self is already thanking you.
CHoCH (Change of Character) in Crypto TradingWhat is CHoCH?
CHoCH (Change of Character) is a concept from Smart Money Concept (SMC) used in technical analysis. It signals a shift in market behavior and often marks the beginning of a new trend phase, whether a trend reversal or consolidation.
Unlike Break of Structure (BoS), which confirms trend continuation, CHoCH indicates a potential change in direction.
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How to Identify CHoCH?
1. In an Uptrend:
Price forms Higher Highs (HH) and Higher Lows (HL).
If the price breaks the last HL but fails to create a new HH, this is CHoCH, signaling a potential bearish reversal.
2. In a Downtrend:
Price forms Lower Lows (LL) and Lower Highs (LH).
If the price breaks the last LH but does not form a new LL, this is CHoCH, suggesting a bullish reversal.
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How to Trade CHoCH?
CHoCH is a powerful tool for spotting trend weakness and entering trades early.
1. Spotting Trend Weakness:
In an uptrend, if the price fails to make a new HH and breaks the last HL, a trend shift might be occurring.
In a downtrend, if the price fails to form a new LL and breaks the last LH, expect bullish momentum.
2. Entry Strategies After CHoCH:
Wait for confirmation with a retest of the key level.
Use volume indicators to check if the breakout is significant.
Enter the trade after the retest of the broken support/resistance level.
3. Combining CHoCH with Other Tools:
CHoCH works well with Order Blocks, Liquidity Zones, and Fair Value Gaps (FVG).
Volume analysis helps confirm institutional activity in the trend change.
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CHoCH Trading Example
Imagine an uptrend where price forms Higher Highs (HH) and Higher Lows (HL). Suddenly, the price fails to create a new HH and breaks the last HL. This is CHoCH, suggesting a potential shift from bullish to bearish.
💡 Traders can use this signal to exit long positions and prepare for short setups.
EGO NO GO Traders’ Downfall: Six Actions to AvoidThere is NO place for ego and bravado with trading.
If it falls under your personality, you have been warned.
Do you know why?
Because ego and emotion are traders’ kryptonite.
In this piece, we’ll dive into the egotistical trader’s playbook and shine a light on six actions that could be crippling your trading game.
EGO NO GO #1: Overtrade: More is Not Always More
Overtrading is like trying to sprint a marathon; it’s unsustainable and a fast track to burnout.
You need to pace yourself or you’re going to get a spasm or a stitch.
As a trader, you’re not a machine-gun trader, firing rounds at every shadow.
You need to only look and wait for the highest probability trades.
Remember, it’s about the right trades, not just more trades.
Solution: Quality Over Quantity as I always tell my MATI Traders!
EGO NO GO #2: Revenge Trade: The Emotional Spiral
After a loss, I know it feels tempting to jump straight back into the markets in order to recover your funds.
But let’s face it…
Revenge trading is about as effective as using a leaky bucket to bail water out of a sinking ship.
Solution: Keep Cool and Carry On
Clear your head.
Take a walk, grab a beer – The market will always be there for you the next day.
And it will probably dish out even better trades.
Remember, the market doesn’t know you, and it certainly doesn’t owe you. Stick to your plan, not your pride.
EGO NO GO #3: Ignore Risk Management: The Silent Killer
If you ignore risk management, it’s like skydiving without checking your parachute.
What if you jumped and instead of a parachute you’re wearing a backback?
Don’t laugh, these things happen.
With trading you need your risk management measures:
Stop loss of less than 2%
Drawdown management when the portfolio goes down.
Risking money you can emotionally handle to lose.
Making sure of your trade size.
Checking your risk to rewards.
Ensuring you’ve protected your positions.
Solution: Plan Your Risk
Decide on your risk parameters before you enter a trade, and then—this is key—stick to them.
Your future self will thank you.
EGO NO GO #4: Dismiss Market Analysis: Gut Feelings vs. Hard Data
You also need to check the weather.
By weather I mean, look at the news events coming out for the day and week.
Is it NFP (Non Farm Payrolls)? – The day when you DON’T day trade.
Is it CPI (Consumer Price Index)? – The day you DON’T Trade
Is it FOMC where the federal committee talks and causes volatility?
Solution: Check the news events and be vigilant.
EGO NO GO #5: Blame Everything: The Pointless Game
When trades go south.
They look to blame.
They point fingers to their mentors, their strategy, themselves.
There is NO blame game with the markets.
If you followed your rules, strategies, risk to reward and everything else – You did the best of your ability for that trade.
Solution: Own your trade to Hone your trade It
Accept responsibility, learn from your mistakes, and grow stronger. It’s the only way.
EGO NO GO #6: Fail to Adapt: Evolve or Be Left Behind
The market is a beast that’s always changing.
I always say adapt or die.
Feel the general market’s environment.
Know whether it’s in a favourable or unfavourable period.
Tweak your system to improve your metrics.
Change the markets by adding or removing ones that aren’t working.
Take ego out of the analysis.
Solution: Stay Sharp, Stay Updated
FINAL WORDS:
I’m sure you already feel less egotistical when it comes to trading. And that means, this article has done it’s job.
Whenever you feel ego creeping in, remember this article save it and store it.
In fact go through all the articles that resonate, print them and store them in a file.
It will be your guide to trading well!
Let’s sum up the ego tendencies and how to avoid them…
Avoid Overtrading: Less can be more.
No Revenge Trading: Act with strategy, not emotion.
Stick to Risk Management: It’s your safety net.
Conduct Market Analysis: Never trade uninformed.
Stop the Blame: Learn and move forward.
Adapt to the Market: Evolve your strategy to stay relevant.
HOW to SPARK New Trading IdeasToday I want you to use your imagination.
I want you to ignite new, profitable and powerful trading ideas.
Let’s embark on a journey to ignite your trading creativity, transforming the mundane into the extraordinary.
Speak to Traders – The Power of Conversation
Nothing beats the raw, unfiltered insights you can gain from chatting with fellow traders.
It’s like opening a portal to a universe brimming with unique strategies and perspectives.
Whether it’s a casual coffee meet-up or a spirited discussion on trading forums, the exchange of ideas can light up that creative spark within you.
As you know I’ll be doing a lot more videos and live events, you’ll have the opportunity to share your ideas, analyses and ask questions!
Remember, every trader has a story, a battle scar, or a victory dance.
These are not just tales; they are potential blueprints for your next big trade.
Let Your Mind Wander – The Art of Creative Thinking
In the hustle of tick charts, Bitcoin rallies, and economic news, your best trading idea could be waiting in the quiet.
It’s time to get your creative juices flowing.
Take a walk, meditate, have more showers or simply gaze out the window.
It’s in these moments of apparent idleness that your brain connects the dots, craft strategies that you wouldn’t have thought of while staring at screens.
Give yourself permission to dream, and watch as those dreams morph into actionable trading ideas.
Explore Online – The Digital Goldmine
The internet is a goldmine for traders seeking inspiration.
With endless resources at your fingertips, from real-time market analysis to historical data, the possibilities are limitless.
Take the opportunity to dive into financial news websites, scrutinize market trends on social platforms, or get lost in the vast ocean of trading blogs.
Each click can unravel patterns and opportunities. And it will help propel you towards your next trading venture.
Remember, the digital world is your trading oyster, and every piece of information is a potential pearl of wisdom.
Trading Podcasts – Voices That Inspire
In today’s fast-paced world, trading podcasts are the lighthouses guiding traders through the fog of information overload.
They provide not just market insights but also foster a sense of community.
Whether you’re on your daily commute or taking a break, tune into a trading podcast.
Let the voices of experienced traders be the wind beneath your wings, propelling you towards new horizons.
Write Down Ideas – The Might of the Pen
An idea, until it’s written down, is like a spark that risks being extinguished by the slightest breeze.
The simple act of writing can turn this spark into a flame.
Keep a journal of your trading thoughts, no matter how fleeting or outlandish they may seem.
Over time, this journal becomes a repository of your trading evolution, a place where ideas can be nurtured and refined.
This practice not only sharpens your trading acumen but also serves as a beacon during times of doubt.
FINAL WORDS:
Remember, every great trader was once a beginner, armed with nothing but a passion for the markets and a willingness to learn.
So, let your ideas flow, for in the world of trading, today’s whimsy could be tomorrow’s windfall.
Let’s some up ways for you to ignite and spark new profitable and powerful trading ideas.
Speak to Traders – The Power of Conversation
Let Your Mind Wander – The Art of Creative Thinking
Explore Online – The Digital Goldmine
Trading Podcasts – Voices That Inspire
Write Down Ideas – The Might of the Pen
Is trading really gambling? Yes and no!I know why you’re NOT trading.
You think trading is nothing more than gambling.
I get emails every day from members saying things like.
“Timon trading seems like going to the casino”.
“Timon I don’t want to put money into something that’s gambling”
“Timon thanks but I don’t gamble”
So you’re not trading because you think it’s like gambling.
Well, before you send me another email like this – Please make sure you read this carefully.
Let’s dive into the heated debate and let’s see if I agree whether trading is just gambling.
Does Timon think trading is just gambling?
YES! I do believe trading is a form of gambling.
BUT – hold on…
Gambling exists in two realms. Chance vs. Strategy
There is chance gambling and strategic gambling.
Chance gambling is similar to playing slot machines, lotteries, and coin tosses.
It’s 50/50. And it’s all up to chance.
Have you ever heard of a professional slots player or coin flipper?
I don’t think so.
Then in the other realm of gambling is known as strategic gambling.
The strategic domain is where skill, knowledge, risk management, methodology, probabilities and decision-making play crucial roles.
And that my friend, is why I believe trading is a form of strategic gambling.
You do get professional and successful poker and black jack players, sports bettors and of course traders.
Right?
And that’s because you need skill, strategies and the right techniques to WIN as oppose to mere luck.
So before you quit trading because you think it’s nothing more than gambling, allow me to go one step further.
Let’s talk about the similarities between certain strategic gambling games and see how we can learn from them with trading.
Strategic Game #1:
Trading and Poker – The art of strategy and risk management
Poker and trading share a few similarities.
They both emphasize skill, strategy, and a sprinkle of luck.
But you need a deep understanding of the rules.
You need keen observation of the competitors.
You need adeptness at risk, reward and money management.
Poker players and traders alike must know when to hold their ground and when to fold.
Poker players put their cards down when the probability is low.
Traders either don’t take the trade, risk little in medium probability trades and use tools like stop losses to risk little.
Poker also teaches the importance of emotional control and patience.
And these as I have written many times before, are crucial in trading.
Because emotional decisions can lead to significant losses with both poker and with trading.
Next game…
Game #2: Trading and Roulette
Playing the probabilities
It may seem at first that roulette leans more towards chance.
Red or black, odd or even etc…
But the fact that you have a choice, means that it offers you some form of probability.
A fundamental concept in trading are probabilities.
Traders, like professional roulette players, use statistical analysis to help make informed and better decisions.
It is unpredictable what the ball will land on.
Just like it is unpredictable which way the market will go.
But if you have a sound system, proven track record and winning strategy – you will be able to base the probabilities and tilt the odds in your favour – over time.
In trading, while certain market movements can’t be predicted with absolute certainty, we rely heavily on technical, fundamental, statistical analysis and probabilities to make trading decisions.
Trading, much like roulette, is where you need to diversify your positions and bets.
And you can WIN in the long run if you follow your high probability strategy.
Game #3: Trading and Blackjack
How a maths boffon can win overtime
In blackjack, players make strategic decisions to outmaneuver the dealer.
The main goal is to try and get the cards we’re dealt to hit 21, be close to 21 or be closer to 21 than our opponent’s hand.
Bet too high past 21 and you burn (lose).
This is similar to trading.
You need to be able to analyse the marker conditions.
You need to be able to calculate your position sizes and risk management according to your trade line up.
Both games need you to have a balance of risk, strategy, and knowledge to succeed.
Game #4: Trading and Horse Racing
Know your horse!
Now this is a game that has turned many statisticians into multi millionaires.
Horse racing is where you need to know and choose the right horse that will win based on its:
Form
Characteristics
Conditions of the race
Weather on the day
and other factors.
They study the characteristics, and race conditions to a T.
They calculate based on past performance on which horse has the higher probability of winning.
Traders need to know their horses (markets) too.
Every market you choose to trade, has its own personality, form, movements, and style.
You need to check to see if the chosen market has worked for your trading system and portfolio over time.
And you need to choose the right time, market environment and other factors – before you take on the trade.
In horse racing, experienced bettors also diversify their bets across multiple races and horses to spread risk.
With trading we diversify our portfolios over different accounts, markets, sectors, instruments and types.
Finally let’s talk about the last game:
Game #5: Trading and Sports Betting
The power of predictive analysis
Sports betting, much like trading, relies on predictive analysis to almost see potential outcomes.
If you understand a team’s performance, strategy, and conditions – You will be able to make better betting decisions for the next game.
As a sports bettor you definitely need to know how to analyse a team’s or player’s form, weather conditions, past scores and more to predict an outcome.
Whether it’s football, rugby or cricket – you need to have your winning game plan to increase your chances of winning the bet.
Traders do the same. They have different markets like sports bettors have different games.
Traders also conduct similar technical, fundamental, sentimental, volume analyses to help predict potential market movements.
Both activities involve calculated risk-taking, aiming for high-probability successes based on thorough research and analysis.
Final words:
So, as you can see trading is MORE than just gambling.
Unlike games of pure chance, trading is a disciplined, analytical pursuit that shares more in common with skill-based gambling.
It does require you however to have the right knowledge, strategy, and strong risk, reward and money management.
Let’s sum up the games and sports vs trading so you can remember what we’ve covered today:
Game #1: Trading and Poker – The art of strategy and risk management
Game #2: Trading and Roulette – Playing the probabilities
Game #3: Trading and Blackjack – How a maths boffon can win overtime
Game #4: Trading and Horse Racing – Know your horse!
Game #5: Trading and Sports Betting – The power of predictive analysis
DO YOU THINK TRADING IS LIKE GAMBLING?
STOP Overtrading with these easy stepsDo you ever get caught in the whirlwind of overtrading?
You’re taking a ton of trades because you’re bored, to make up for losses, for the sake of trading and to maybe feel productive.
It’s like Netflix really. You’re watching your favorite TV series; before you know it, you’ve devoured the whole season in one sitting.
Time lost and you get deep withdrawal symptoms.
Well, you need to seriously stop overtrading.
It’s one of the BAD habits that you can find yourself repeating.
And over time, it will lead to a ton of losses, a blown account and you looking for the “next” best thing.
Let’s get into it.
Recognize when you’re overtrading and then simply – STOP!
TO put it blunt.
Overtrading refers to the excessive buying and selling of financial markets that are often driven by emotional decision-making rather than a strategic approach. This leads to low returns and increased risk.
First off, it’s crucial to recognize when you’re overtrading.
There are a couple of times when you could find yourself overtrading:
Chasing losses
This is where you try to recover from a losing streak by getting into more lower probability trades.
The gamblers overconfidence
The opposite can happen.
You might feel invincible and the king of the trading world, after a series of successful trades.
And this could get you to take on more trades, without proper analysis.
And it could lead to you losing all your wins for the day.
Market FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
You might see a NEWS event come out.
Your buddy might have taken an enticing trade.
Or you just feel there is more profits you believe you can take off the table.
And so, you jumping into more trades due to the fear of missing a profit opportunity.
Boredom Fever
Your trader and time is passing and, you are getting bored.
In fact, you’re probably feeling unproductive just seeing on your hands.
And so you get into other positions to pass time or for the excitement.
And you disregard, your sound market analysis.
Attempting to meet unrealistic profit goals
Most traders have a maximum loss per day, before they stop trading.
The dangerous players try to have a minimum goal of a % win they want to achieve per day.
This is dangerous. And this can lead to overtrading and more loss taking.
Peer pressure
Like I said, you might hear from a buddy who’s taking trades.
You might hear from some economist or analyst who’s diving in.
And you’ll feel peer pressure if they get you to the point to follow them.
You have your own strategy, system and risk management analysis. You don’t need anything else!
Got it?
Top of Form So what do you do when you feel the sense of overtrading?
Here are some ideas.
How to stop overtrading with easy steps
Take a break
It’s like stepping away from a heated argument to cool off. It helps clear your head.
Pick your best times and days to trade
Not all hours are created equal.
Know the market rhythms and dance to the beat that suits you best.
Keep to your plan only
Your trading plan is your roadmap.
If your plan is to follow a mentor – so be it.
If your plan is to follow your own strategy – Go for it.
If your plan is to intraday trade, day trade, position trade or core trade – Just follow it.
Don’t venture off into uncharted territory.
Quality over quantity
Focus on making a few high-quality trades rather than a bunch of haphazard ones.
Think of it as choosing a super healthy meal over a fast-food binge.
Engage in other activities
Go enjoy other aspects of life. Trading isn’t EVERYTHING.
Go for a walk.
Play with your dog or cat.
Do other business.
Distract yourself with hobbies or exercise when you feel the urge to overtrade.
You’ll thank yourself for not taking any unnecessary trades.
Because you won’t set that dangerous precedent, which can continue at a later stage.
Final words:
Overtrading is doing exactly that. Taking too many trades without following your sound principles, strategy and analyses.
This can lead to taking low probability trades, increasing your losses and destroying your mechanical mindset and trading strategy.
Let’s sum up WHAT causes you to over trade.
Chasing losses:
The gamblers overconfidence:
Market FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
Boredom fever
Attempting to meet unrealistic profit goals
Peer pressure
And we covered ways to STOP overtrading by things like:
Take a break
Pick your best times and days to trade
Keep to your plan only
Quality over quantity
Engage in other activities
Now you know what to do to STOP OVERTRADING.
Go and don’t do it!
4 Golden Trading Lessons: Your Roadmap to SuccessAre your ready to elevate your trading game?
You’ll need these 4 golden tickets to have a chance.
You might have two or three of them, but it’s important to make sure so that you’re set for the rest of your trading career.
Have a read and let’s refine your trading skills.
Lesson 1: Follow a Proven Strategy and Never Deviate
Ever heard me say, “A rolling stone gathers no moss”?
That’s your trading strategy in a nutshell!
The key to success isn’t just having a strategy; it’s about taking every high probability trader, weathering through all environments and sticking to it.
Why?
Consistency is king.
Markets move up (You profit)
Markets move sideways (You lose)
Markets move down (You profit).
So you might as well enjoy the full journey and trading process you’re your one and only strategy.
So, stay the course!
Lesson 2: Only Risk What You Can Afford to Lose
Here’s a tough love moment:
Can you afford to lose what you’re risking?
Can you take the money – cut it up – throw it to the ground and you’ll be fine?
GOOD! Then you know that emotions and emergency life savings is NOT going to make the cut (no pun intended).
If you are feeling highly attached to the money, step back.
By only risking what you can afford, you keep emotions in check – win or lose.
It’s not about fear; it’s about smart, sustainable trading.
Remember, it’s a game of patience and discipline.
Lesson 3: Adhere to Strict Money Management Rules
This is your financial seatbelt.
What are your rules?
Here are some:
Risk MAX 2% per trade
Know where to place your stop loss and never move it when you’re losing
Halt trading when the drawdown is over 20% down
Never expose more than 20% of your overall portfolio
Always have a plan to deposit more money to grow more money
Lesson 4: Have a ‘Worst-Case-Scenario’ Plan
What’s your plan when the market throws a curveball?
Having a worst-case scenario plan isn’t pessimism; it’s smart trading.
You know you’re going to be in drawdown around 4 months a year.
You know there are consecutive losses to come with any trading strategy.
You know the market environments are not always to your favour.
So you need that umbrella to know when to halt trading.
Whether it’s diversifying, hedging, risking less or having a cash reserve, be ready for when the market isn’t your friend.
This isn’t about fear; it’s about being prepared.
FINAL WORDS:
These 4 Golden Trading Lessons are more than tips; they’re the pillars of successful trading.
It’s about building a trading practice that’s not just profitable, but sustainable and resilient.
Here are your 4 golden trading lessons.
Lesson 1: Follow a Proven Strategy and Never Deviate
Lesson 2: Only Risk What You Can Afford to Lose
Lesson 3: Adhere to Strict Money Management Rules
Lesson 4: Have a ‘Worst-Case-Scenario’ Plan
Draining Trading Habits: The Pitfalls to Avoid for Market SuccesYou know that trading is a mental game.
And if you play it wrong, it can be very draining on the mind and the soul.
Your aim is to make trading effortless and not overstressing.
And to do this, you need to avoid making these draining trading habits.
That’s what we’ll cover in this piece.
Personalise Losses: The Emotional Pitfall
Ever felt like the market is out to get you?
Go look at any chart and you’ll see there were times where you would have won and would have lost.
It’s a common trap.
Losses are not personal attacks.
And winners are not personal appraisals.
They’re part and parcel of the trading game.
Remember, the market is as impersonal as it gets.
When you personalize losses, you cloud your judgment, making it harder to learn from mistakes.
Instead you need to:
Shift Your Perspective:
View losses as the trading costs of doing business.
And if you’re still learning, then you can see losses as tuition fees for your trading education.
Keep a Trading Journal: Document your trades and reflect on your overall track record.
This way you’ll see both losses and gains as part of the process.
Cling to Long-term Trades: The Hope Trap
Ah, the classic ‘hold and hope’ strategy.
It’s easy to fall in love with a trade.
It’s also easy to marry a trade or even an investment.
But as a trader, you must NOT get married to a trade.
See them as short term conquests where you take one – lose one win one. But know that the next one is on the way.
So, how do you break free?
Set Clear Exit Strategies:
Before your enter a trade, know your exit points for both profit and loss.
Practice Detachment:
Treat each trade as just another business transaction. Or like I said – Conquest.
Always checking your trades: The Anxiety Generator
Checking your trades every five minutes? ‘
This can turn into an obsession.
I must say. This is not a good for your stress levels and your trading performance.
This habit can turn trading into a nerve-wracking obsession.
So instead:
Set Alerts:
Use technology to your advantage. Set alerts for price movements.
Schedule Check-ins:
Limit how often you check your trades.
Discipline is key!
Overstress about trades: The Health Hazard
Stress is the silent killer in trading.
It not only harms your health but also impairs your decision-making abilities.
So, how do we keep our cool in the heat of the market?
Practice Mindfulness:
Meditation and mindfulness can work wonders for stress management. Maybe even self-hypnosis at night to manage your worries, stress and to compartmentalize them.
Physical Activity:
Regular exercise helps in reducing stress and improving focus. You’ll be surprised what a simple walk, exercise or even punching the old bag can do to calm your mind.
The complaint department: Trading’s Emotional Baggage
Complaining about trades is like carrying around a bag of emotional bricks.
It’s exhausting! It’s heavy on you! And it’s just plain unnecessary.
This habit breeds negativity and affects your mindset.
Focus on Solutions:
Instead of complaining, channel your energy into finding solutions through your track record and money management strategies.
Seek Constructive Feedback:
Engage with a trading community for support and advice.
FINAL WORDS:
Your job is to manage stress, worry and to make trading as effortless and as easy as possible.
This requires some physical and mental activities.
And not just once off. On an ongoing basis…
Let’s sum up the draining trading habits so you know what NOT to do.
Personalise Losses: The Emotional Pitfall
Cling to Long-term Trades: The Hope Trap
Always checking your trades: The Anxiety Generator
Overstress about trades: The Health Hazard
The complaint department: Trading’s Emotional Baggage
5 Hidden Dangers of Trading with FOMOIn the previous TradingView article we spoke about FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).
And why it is really not necessary to deal with.
There is always the next trade coming.
There is always another opportunity coming your way.
There is always time to take the next one.
No we are going to unpack the five hidden dangers of trading with FOMO and how to sidestep them like a pro.
The Emotional Rollercoaster: Stress & Anxiety
Remember when I said.
“Trading is not just a financial challenge, but an emotional marathon”?
That’s never more true than when FOMO kicks in.
When you miss a trade, I know that you could feel stress and anxiety creeping in.
You feel like you’ve missed the most important trade of the year.
Well guess what, you might have missed one trade – but that’s it.
Success is based on 1,000s of trades not just one.
So the key is to remember this, so you eradicate the feelings of stress and anxiety next time you miss a trade.
The Short-Term Mirage: Losing Sight of Long-Term Goals
FOMO pushes you to focus on short-term gains.
Yes it’s important to try and spot high probability trades on a daily basis.
But, if you miss the trade – just go on and look for another.
There is bound to be more ready for you to execute or at least prepare for.
And while you’re at it, remember these are lessons to help you to be more punctual and vivid with your trades.
Following the Herd: The Danger of Sheep Behaviour
Ever heard the saying, “If your friend jumps off a bridge, would you do it too?”
That’s FOMO in a nutshell.
YOUR job is NOT to take a trade based on what your friend, foe, analyst or stranger tells you to buy or sell.
Your job is to either follow your own trading plan and strategy or your mentor’s.
Resist the urge to follow the flock and rather, trust your own research, strategy and instincts.
You’ll form Bad Habits
Each time you give in to FOMO and you take a trade for the sake of it, you’re not just making a bad trade.
You’re also cultivating bad habits for the future.
And once the bad habit forms, it then cultivates and becomes harder to escape from it.
Break the cycle by sticking to your disciplined trading routine. You’re better than that!
Ignored analysis
When you have that FOMO you want to then take impulse trades.
And all your hard work and analyses and discipline is thrown out of the window.
It’s like trying to navigate yourself without a map or GPS.
And you’re depending on your instincts or your “memory”.
It’s a very risky gamble and it could take a LOT longer to find your way.
Don’t go against the strategy. Don’t take trades for the sake of it. Don’t have FOMO because you missed one or two trades.
Just keep to your strategy and move on. It’s your trading compass for a reason.
FINAL WORDS 🚀🌟:
Trading with FOMO is like sailing in stormy seas – it’s risky, stressful, and often leads to nowhere good.
Let’s go other the 5 danger of trading FOMO
Stress & Anxiety: Keep emotions in check and stick to your trading plan.
Short-Term Focus: Remember your long-term goals and don’t get distracted by short-lived trends.
Sheep Behaviour: Be an independent thinker, not a follower.
Bad Habits: Avoid developing harmful trading habits by maintaining discipline.
Ignored Analysis: Trust in your research and analysis; they are your best tools for successful trading.
No FOMO when you trade - 5 ReasonsSo you missed a trade.
Or you are you often gripped by the fear of missing out (FOMO) in the trading world?
It’s a common feeling.
But let me tell you.
You might miss a train, but the next one is always on the way.
And the stock market will always be there for you to pump out more profit opportunities for you.
Today, I want you to not worry to much about FOMO. And I don’t want you to kick yourself and here’s why…
Impulsive Decisions: The Enemy of Rational Trading
Ever jumped into a trade just because it ‘felt right’?
It’s like grabbing a chocolate bar at the checkout – it’s tempting, but not always a good idea.
You need to get rid of the idea of wanting to impulse trade (trade for the sake of it).
Rather have your trading plan and stick to it by all means.
If you miss a trade – LOOK for the next one.
Not a low probability trade. Wait for the next high chance of success trade and you’ll be happy you did so.
Research: Your Secret Weapon
Trading without research is like driving with your eyes closed. You might get lucky and not crash, but it’s a risky gamble.
You need to put in the time to research and analyse the markets accordingly.
Understand the why behind your trades. Research is your crystal ball in the trading world.
Chasing the Market: A Fool’s Errand
Ever seen a stock skyrocket and felt like you’re missing the party?
You might feel the same with Bitcoin or a stock that has underperformed in a while.
The worse you can do, is try to chase the market.
If you missed the trade. Move on and find the next perfect trade that is linin up.
Patience is your ally.
Precision analysis is also the key.
Remember, markets move in cycles. Wait for your moment.
Big Risks: Big Rewards or Big Regrets?
It’s like betting all your chips on red.
It can pay off, but it’s a rollercoaster ride.
So you need to remember that risk and money management is key.
Balance optimism with realism.
Use stop-loss orders, adjust with trailing stop losses – get out with time stop losses.
And most importantly – Protect your capital – it’s your trading lifeline.
High Emotions: The Trader’s Kryptonite
The infamous emotional rollercoaster might make you take the wrong trades.
It will result in you making rash, quick and irresponsible decisions.
So try to keep emotions at bay, stay calm to trade.
Develop a mindset that is calm and collected. Remember, the market doesn’t care about your feelings.
Final words:
So you know that FOMO is another dangerous habit to develop as a trader.
Rather, say to yourself this mantra.
There is always another and better trade on the way, and I don’t have to catch every single trade that presents itself.
Let’s sum up the reasons why FOMO is dangerous.
Impulsive Decisions: The Enemy of Rational Trading
Research: Your Secret Weapon
Chasing the Market: A Fool’s Errand
Big Risks: Big Rewards or Big Regrets?
High Emotions: The Trader’s Kryptonite
What LOSER Traders Say – 6 PhrasesI like to say…
Go where winners thrive and excuse givers die!
If you’ve ever uttered the following phrases below – I urge you to stop saying them from today.
And when you do utter these below phrases, you’re going to manifest losing, despair and hopelessness.
But it’s not your fault. It’s the conditions and echo of amateur traders – that other traders listen to.
I don’t believe for one second you want the loser mentality.
I believe you want to embrace the mindset of a true trading champion.
So let’s stop saying the below:
The Market is Wrong: A Blame Game for the Weak
Newsflash: the market isn’t out to get you.
Another newsflash, the market is NEVER wrong.
It goes up, down and sideways.
What you’re seeing in the charts is HISTORICAL.
So, what comes out in the future is untold but the truth.
There should be NO ego for ever saying – The market is wrong.
Take control of what the market is currently doing and what it has done and analyze your approach.
I Suck at Trading: The Pity Party Pitfall
Negative self-talk is the fastest route to trading mediocrity.
We are ALL bad at something when we start.
We continue to be bad at something if we don’t practice hard, work at it and have persistence.
If you’re convinced you suck at trading, it’s time to silence that inner critic.
Trading is no different from picking up another skill, vocation, endeavour and hobby.
Maybe I Should Just Give Up: The Quitters’ Anthem
Throwing in the towel is the easy way out.
In fact, I don’t believe traders lose.
They simply quit.
But winners persevere.
If thoughts of giving up dance in your mind, consider this:
Success often comes to those who refuse to quit.
Risk less.
Tweak your strategy.
Have your game plan with a solid back tested journal.
Reassess your goals.
Take a deep breath and remember that every setback is a setup for a comeback.
Damn, This is a Slow Process: Impatience, the Silent Killer
Trading success is not a sprint; it’s a marathon.
Complaining about the slow process won’t expedite your journey to financial triumph.
Whether you’re holding gold and waiting for the market to rally to new highs – It will come – you just need patience.
Winners understand that patience is a trader’s virtue.
So either you run the marathon, or give up trying knowing it’s going to be a long road.
I Can’t Do It
Your mind is a powerful tool.
And when there are challenges and doubts, you’ll find that you’ll keep telling yourself – you can’t do it.
Think of thoughts as tiny branches of a tree.
The more you think a certain way, the bigger the tree becomes.
And this will set yourself up for failure.
Random thought: This is why when a woman says I’m fat 1,000 times. No matter how thin she is, you can’t convince her that she is thin. Because of the tree she has build in her mind about her self-image.
Same with trading.
Stop saying negative thoughts.
Be kinder to yourself and who you are.
Winners replace “I can’t” with “I will.”
Winners replace Should, Would, Could with DO!
Cultivate a positive trading mindset, believe in your abilities, and watch how your confidence transforms your trading outcomes.
I’ll Start Tomorrow
Procrastination is the biggest thief of success.
Tomorrow is the favorite day of the loser.
If you constantly push your trading plans to the next day, you’re delaying your success.
You’re delaying profit opportunities.
You’re delaying your learning process.
Winners take action today.
Start now, stick to your plan, and relish the progress you’ll make.
Tomorrow’s victories are earned through today’s actions.
FINAL WORDS:
So from today, say and manifest a more optimistic and positive mindset.
Don’t say any more loser phrases.
And let’s cultivate a winning mentality and tree of positive branches to your mind.
Let’s sum up the phrases you must NOT say:
The Market is Wrong: A Blame Game for the Weak
I Suck at Trading: The Pity Party Pitfall
Maybe I Should Just Give Up: The Quitters’ Anthem
Damn, This is a Slow Process: Impatience, the Silent Killer
I Can’t Do It
I’ll Start Tomorrow
GAPS- HOW TO TRADE THE "GAP - OPENING"This video is for information/education purpose only. you are 100% responsible for any actions you take by reading/viewing this post.
please consult your financial advisor before taking any action.
----Vinaykumar hiremath, CMT
(Earlier video was missing the mouse pointer, it is rectified in this video)
6 More Trading Time WastersWith trading, time is money.
And every wasted moment is a missed opportunity.
Every day you skip. Every high probability trade you miss on whatever market you’re trading.
Even every loss you take according to your strategy, is one step closer you’re missing to success.
I wrote about time wasting in the previous article.
And I can’t stress enough how important it is to get yourself into gear.
It’s time to take control of your time and trading actions.
Here are 6 more trading time wasters.
#1. Chasing the News
Turn on Bloomberg, CNN or BBC.
Flicking lights.
Loud sounds.
Entertaining drama, drama, drama.
It’s like watching Netflix.
And if you become obsessed, it’s easy to fall into the trap of chasing the latest news headlines.
Breaking news is inevitable. And staying informed is great.
But it’s NOT necessary to adapt the news into your trading strategy.
In fact, the hyped up news will lead to impulsive and emotional decisions.
Don’t fall for the news mania. Save that for AFTER your trading. And watch it for entertainment and education.
Nothing else.
#2. Checking the Portfolio Often
Ahhh! The Perils of perpetual monitoring.
Listen… Your portfolio is not a ticking time bomb that requires constant supervision.
As a young trader I get that it’s tempting to check your gains and losses every few minutes.
But this is a long term game.
So if you adopt this checking bad habit, you’ll see it can breed anxiety and cloud your judgment.
Maybe check your portfolios once a day.
Or even every few days.
But lose the obsession please. You’re wasting precious time and energy on unnecessary stuff.
#3. Analysis Paralysis
Another mistake is drowning yourself in data.
Too much analysis can lead to paralysis.
Endless charts, intricate patterns, and an abundance of indicators might make you feel like a trading virtuoso.
But you’ll quickly learn that, it won’t necessarily translate to profits.
Rather stick to the K.I.S.S – Keep It Simple Stupid.
Simplify your approach, focus on key factors.
And please make decisions based on a clear understanding rather than drowning in a sea of data.
#4. Procrastination
Procrastination is the silent killer of trading success.
To leave it to tomorrow.
As they say. Tomorrow never comes.
All you have is NOW.
So, if you want to trade – Get a coffee and sit down and take action.
Delaying decisions can mean missing out on lucrative opportunities.
Set clear goals, establish a solid plan, and execute it without succumbing to the siren call of procrastination.
Time wasted is money lost in the dynamic world of trading.
#5. Overcomplicating – Don’t be a trading jack of all trades!
Trading doesn’t need to be a convoluted puzzle.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to trade well.
You don’t need a degree or even a complicated strategy.
In fact, if you overcomplicate your trading, it will lead to more confusion and poor decision-making.
Be a master of a few effective markets, time frames, strategies, money management and techniques.
#6. Fear of Taking Action
This my friend is the stagnation trap.
Inaction out of fear is a formidable enemy for traders.
You need to remember that fortune favors the bold in the world of trading.
Those who:
Deposit money.
Learn all about trading well.
Practice with a demo account.
Adapt a winning trading strategy.
Keep persistent with their trading.
Are the ones that will win…’
FINAL WORDS:
So stop wasting time and start doing more to achieve your trading dreams.
Let’s sum up the 6 trading time wasters.
#1. Chasing the News
#2. Checking the Portfolio Often
#3. Analysis Paralysis
#4. Procrastination
#5. Overcomplicating – Don’t be a trading jack of all trades!
#6. Fear of Taking Action
6 Top Trading Time WastersYou need to stop wasting precious time.
I have had members who’ve been with me for 15 years and haven’t even taken a trade.
I have written this article in a way that you can relate to the problems with traders wasting time.
Ready?
#1. Wait for Inspiration
Trader A: “I just can’t trade today. I’m waiting for that magical moment when inspiration strikes!”
SOLUTION:
Waiting for inspiration in trading is like waiting for money to rock up at your doorstop.
It doesn’t happen!
Successful traders create their own inspiration, discipline and integration by TAKING ACTION.
You want a sign.
Here’s a sign.
Start today, do not delay and don’t wait for another sign.
#2. Complaining
Trader A: “The market is so unpredictable and complicated! I can’t catch a break.”
SOLUTION: Stop complaining and start acting, adapting, growing and evolving.
Markets change, that’s the only constant about it.
And they move up, down and sideways.
So, instead of moaning about it, embrace the volatility.
Complaining won’t make you a better trader, but adapting to change will.
#3. Doubting
Trader A: “I’m not sure if I can make this trade. It’s going to be a loser.”
SOLUTION: Doubt is the enemy of success.
Trust your analysis, track record and your stats.
Stick to your strategy just keep at it.
This is a long term game to success.
When you doubt yourself, you manifest a deeper element of self-failure.
You need to stop wasting precious time and opportunities.
Confidence, certainty and trust is key!
#4. Comparing
Trader A: “Look at their profits! I wish I could trade like them.”
SOLUTION: Comparison is the thief of joy and the delayer of self success.
You should only focus on your own journey.
You are running your own marathon.
It doesn’t matter how much money you have.
It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been trading.,
It doesn’t matter if others are doing better.
You need to focus on your trading time line.
#5. Excuse Giving
Trader A: “I didn’t trade well because the market was too volatile.”
SOLUTION: Excuses won’t make you a better trader.
I don’t have enough time.
I don’t have enough money.
I don’t have enough experience
I don’t have enough patience.
I don’t have enough anything.
I repeat – Excuses won’t make you a better trader.
Take responsibility and take accountability for your decisions, good or bad.
Learn from your mistakes and use them to refine your trading strategy, stats and track record.
Excuses only waste time; accountability fuels improvement.
#6. Fear of Failure
Trader A: “What if I lose all my money? I can’t handle the risk.”
SOLUTION: As I always like to say.
You ONLY fail when you quit.
Fear is natural, but letting it control your actions is a mistake.
You need to manage your trading and risks better.
You need stay laser focused with tunnel vision.
With trading you should not AVOID losses – as they are inevitable.
You should embrace both winners and losses to come with the trading venture.
You can’t win them all. But you also can’t lose them all.
Keep that in mind when you trade.
FINAL WORDS
So, by now you should have one thing in your mind.
Stop wasting time with your trading.
Every day you delay is another profit opportunity you’re letting go of.
Let’s sum up the 6 Time Wasters with trading.
#1. Wait for Inspiration
#2. Complaining
#3. Doubting
#4. Comparing
#5. Excuse Giving
#6. Fear of Failure






















