I used to struggle most with #2 (letting small losses turn into big ones) and #9 (hoping for a rebound), especially early on when I believed “it’ll come back.” That mindset turned manageable losses into painful lessons. The market eventually taught me that capital preservation is priority one, and protecting the downside is what allows you to stay in the game.

Over time, I’ve grown to lean strongly toward strict stop-losses. They help remove emotion and force accountability. When a trade hits my predefined limit, I exit; no hesitation, no bargaining. I’ve also learned to size positions smaller so stops don’t feel punitive.

One turning point came from a tech trade that fell 40% while I kept averaging down, convinced it would recover. It never did. That loss reshaped my approach entirely; I began journaling trades, defining risk before entry, and respecting every stop. Since then, I’ve realised consistency and discipline, not prediction, drive long-term success.

# 10 Deadly Trading Mistakes! Have You Put Your Account in Danger?

Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.

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  • Consistency beats prediction! Sizing small + honoring stops keeps you in the game!
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  • Reg Ford
    ·10-04
    Stop-losses fixed my 40% tech loss! Small positions + no hope = long-term capital safe!
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