Trading always gives an illusion of glamour and promise from the outside. Many people enter the market with hopes of doubling or tripling their assets in a short time. But the harsh reality is that most traders lose more than they gain. The reasons lie not only in the market's severe volatility but mainly in the wrong approach. Below are common mistakes that cause traders' accounts to 'evaporate' quickly.
1. Overtrading
Many people believe that the more they trade, the easier it is to make a profit. But in reality, each unnecessary trade increases risk, transaction fees, and erodes psychology. Successful traders often only choose times with high winning probabilities, patiently waiting for opportunities, instead of 'jumping' into every small market fluctuation.
2. Poor Risk Management
One of the vital principles of trading is that protecting capital is more important than making a profit. Trading without a stop-loss is like going out to sea without an anchor. Just one strong drop can wipe out the results of an entire month. Professional traders always determine in advance the maximum loss they can accept and decisively cut losses when necessary.
3. Trading Based on Emotions
Fear, greed, impatience, or anger can turn a reasonable strategy into a major mistake. When emotions overshadow logic, traders easily fall into the trap of chasing buys, panic selling, or rushing to recover losses. To survive long-term, traders must learn to control their psychology and adhere to discipline, rather than letting emotions lead.
4. Following 'Pump' Moves
Most retail investors tend to jump into the market when a coin has already surged significantly. But at that time, 'whales' are often quietly offloading their holdings. As a result, retail traders become 'buy high, sell low.' Instead of chasing short-term waves, traders need to focus on analyzing trends and finding entry points before the market explodes.
5. Lack of Clear Planning
Trading without a specific plan is no different from gambling. A trading plan must include:
Clear entry point
Tight stop-loss level
Reasonable take-profit target
Pre-calculated risk-reward ratio
Without a plan, traders are easily swept up by the market and make impulsive decisions.
Conclusion: Trading is a Game of Patience and Discipline
Success in trading does not come from winning every trade, but from surviving long enough for the account to grow steadily. Those who can manage risk, control emotions, and adhere to their plans will always have a superior advantage over the majority.
Trading is not a game of chance; it is a journey of developing discipline and self-control. Those who understand this early will have the chance to become the few who survive and thrive in the market.