The crypto market resembles a giant kaleidoscope — everyone sees their own patterns in it. But for these patterns to turn into profit, you need to choose a trading style that resonates with your inner nature. Why does one trader calmly weather monthly corrections while another can’t sit still for even five minutes? Let’s explore how temperament and habits become your main trading tools.
Why not all strategies are "yours"?
Imagine:
- Impulsive choleric who changes plans every five minutes, tries to engage in long-term investing. The result? He will sell Bitcoin at the first -10%, without waiting for growth.
- Phlegmatic perfectionist, spending hours checking every detail, tries scalping. The result? He will miss dozens of trades, stuck in analysis.
Like in life:
Would you trust a pianist to work as a welder? No. The same goes for trading — the style must match your "mental profile."
Trading styles as a reflection of personality
1. Scalping: a race on a Formula 1 track
Who it suits:
— Personality type: Sanguine/choleric.
— Traits: Love for adrenaline, quick reaction, ability to "turn off" emotions.
— Life analogy: A scalper — like a stuntman who performs risky tricks but carefully calculates each step.
Why many find it difficult:
— Requires constant tension — like working as an airport dispatcher 24/7.
— Not suitable for introverts who lose energy in stressful situations.
2. Swing trading: a game of chess
Who it suits:
— Personality type: Phlegmatic with an analytical mind.
— Traits: Strategic thinking, the ability to wait 2–3 days for the "development" of a position.
— Life analogy: Playing poker — you place a bet, observe your opponent (the market), and take the pot at the right time.
Why beginners get frustrated:
— Confuse swing trading with impulsive decisions.
— Like if a chess player started moving pieces chaotically, scared by the timer.
3. Position trading: ascending Everest
Who it suits:
— Personality type: Melancholic-realist, philosophically perceiving obstacles.
— Traits: Perseverance, belief in fundamental reasons, ignoring "noise."
— Life analogy: A farmer who sows seeds and patiently waits for the harvest, without digging up the field every week.
Why it is not for everyone:
— Requires stoic calmness during 30–50% drawdowns.
— Like if an anxious person tried to meditate in the eye of a hurricane.
4. Investing: creating a family heirloom
Who it suits:
— Personality type: Conservative-introvert, valuing stability.
— Traits: Trust in trends, indifference to momentary fluctuations.
— Life analogy: A collector of rare wines — bought, hidden in the cellar, will take it out after decades.
Why it is "untouchable" for many:
— Contradicts the culture of quick results.
— Like trying to convince the TikTok generation to love reading paper books.
How to find your "style"? Practical steps
1. Take a temperament test:
— Eysenck's methodology, "The Big Five."
— Example: If in stressful situations you "pale and freeze" (rather than "redden and act"), avoid scalping.
2. Compare with habits from everyday life:
— Do you love planning vacations down to the last detail? → Swing trading with clear rules.
— Do you often change hobbies? → Try short-term strategies, but with strict stop-losses.
3. Arrange a "fitting" of styles:
— Week 1: Scalping on a demo account. Track how many times you broke discipline.
— Week 2: Investing. Check how much the lack of action irritates you.
Why do "foreign" strategies irritate the psyche?
- Cognitive dissonance: The brain rebels when actions contradict innate patterns.
— Example: An introvert trying to copy the aggressive style of "wolf" traders will not gain profit but develop neurosis.
- Hormonal response:
— The adrenaline addiction of cholerics "breaks" conservative strategies.
— Cortisol production in anxious people turns long-term holding into torture.
Stories from life: how character determines everything**
- Karina, 28 years old (marketer-extrovert):
Tried to invest in Ethereum but constantly checked her wallet. Transitioned to scalping meme coins — now her energy is directed towards profit.
- Artyom, 42 years old (engineer-introvert):
Burned out on futures due to impulsive decisions. Found himself in position trading — analyzes charts on weekends like blueprints.
Conclusion: your style is a continuation of you
The crypto market is not a typical McDonald's, where everyone is served the same burger. It is a fancy restaurant with a 1000-page menu. Don’t order spicy if your stomach loves oatmeal. Let your nature choose the "dish," and then trading will become not a job, but harmonious self-expression.
"Choose not the strategy that promises millions, but the one that allows you to sleep soundly."