Traders — Let Me Share Some Insights on Learning to Trade
When learning to trade, I can only speak from my experience. I know many of you strive to be the best — and you are capable of achieving that. But here’s the key: Your best teacher is you.
Learn Independently and Critically
• Avoid relying solely on others to teach you trading. If you do seek advice, don’t accept it at face value. Verify and confirm what they say through your own research. If you can’t confirm it, don’t believe it.
• Having a mentor can be beneficial, but it can also lead to confusion. Trading is filled with endless questions, and getting answers prematurely can sometimes set you back.
Why Independent Learning Matters
I learned to trade on my own — no advice, no handouts. If you can teach yourself, you’ll build resilience and skill. But if you constantly lean on others for quick answers, you risk failure. Learning to trade is different from traditional education.
An Illustration: Trading vs. Traditional Schooling
In school, students progress step-by-step: from kindergarten to graduation. Imagine a kindergarten student asking a question that belongs at a 5th-grade level. That student isn’t lacking intelligence, but jumping ahead like that leads to confusion. The same applies to trading:
• Asking advanced questions before mastering the basics can raise a red flag.
• Seeking shortcuts or handouts often leads to discouragement because the answers are too complex for your current level.
In school, if someone gave me college-level math problems in 1st grade, I’d be discouraged and might end up hating school. Similarly, learning to trade requires progressing at your own pace, not someone else’s.
Research and Resilience are Key
In trading, errors are part of the process. If your analysis is wrong, don’t stop there. Keep pushing. Learn why you made the mistake and discover how to avoid it in the future. If you give up, you might as well quit trading altogether.
Understanding Market Manipulation
Trading can be dangerous due to market manipulation. For example:
• Bear Markets aren’t always about economic downturns. They often exist because whales (large traders) need to create fear and confusion.
• Retail traders sell for losses, and whales accumulate during this period, only to profit massively during the bull market.
If you think you’ll buy a Lambo tomorrow, let go of that idea. Successful trading requires patience and learning.
Advice After Research
I’m not against getting advice — but it should come after you’ve done your own research. There’s a difference between asking:
1. “Where do I start?” (A good question)
2. “Teach me to trade.” (A red flag)
The latter shows a desire for handouts, which often leads to failure.
Trading Isn’t Linear, But Effort Pays Off
Trading isn’t like school, but there are parallels. When you research deeply, you might stumble upon advanced concepts that match your current understanding. That’s because your research earned you that level.
In summary: Learn, research, verify, and persist. The process is tough, but mastering it independently will make you a resilient and successful trader.