Honest Advice for Self-Learning Traders: 3 Keys to Avoiding Detours
1. Following the Right People is More Important Than Learning the Right Techniques
Don't get lost in the "get rich quick" myths; those stories are like adventures in martial arts novels—exciting to read but of no help to your account. Look for ordinary traders who can consistently profit; they can teach you how to survive in the real market. Like my friend who went from losing money every day to making stable profits, relying ultimately on a simple and executable grid strategy, not some "heavenly way."
2. Master One Trick to Conquer All
The most ironic aspect of the market is that the more someone knows, the worse they often lose. It's not that techniques are useless, but you're constantly switching directions in search of the "perfect system." Choose a simple strategy and practice it to perfection. Just like playing table tennis, mastering one serve to a world-class level is much more effective than knowing 100 types of ordinary serves.
3. Review Like a Scientist Conducting Experiments
Don’t fantasize about solving all problems at once. This week, specifically test stop-loss positions, and next week, focus on entry timing. I've seen the most skilled short-term traders review the "30-minute pre-market fluctuation patterns" 2000 times. When you become so familiar with a certain pattern that you can anticipate its rhythm, making money becomes second nature.
Remember: Trading isn't about who knows more, but about who can persist longer in the right direction. Those who ultimately succeed are simply the ones who have repeated simple things to perfection.