Today, I had a major setback, losing nearly $1,500 from my futures trading portfolio. While it was certainly difficult, I chose to view this loss as an expensive but invaluable lesson. Instead of dwelling on the loss, I focus on the insights I gained from this experience, which I feel are more valuable than any paid course.
1. Avoid letting greed control you.
It’s easy to ignore this advice, but greed has a way of clouding judgment and leading traders to make rash decisions. I thought I had mastered self-control, but this loss proved otherwise. Greed is not just an emotion—it’s a destructive force that blinds us to rational strategies.
2. Money is not everything
We’ve all heard this saying, but losing a significant amount of money makes it even more clear. Money can always be recovered, but your health, relationships, and peace of mind are priceless. This loss reminded me to prioritize what’s truly important over financial gain.
3. Focus on reliable assets
I was thrilled to be chasing altcoins and speculative trading, but it came at a cost. Had I stuck with more stable options like Bitcoin, I probably would have seen much better results. Stability and consistency often outweigh risky experiments, especially in the long run.
4. Markets are unpredictable.
My belief that I could “beat” the market was a huge mistake. Even the most experienced traders do not predict the future; they rely on probabilities and manage their risk accordingly. This loss reminded me that no strategy is guaranteed to succeed, and that humility is key in trading.
5. Build real value instead of obsessing over charts.
The hours I spent glued to the charts were no better than scrolling through social media or mindlessly watching TV. Instead, I could have invested that time in productive activities, like growing my business or developing new skills. Trading should complement your life, not consume it.
Final Meditation
This experience was costly, but the lessons learned from it were invaluable. I learned that money should work for you, not the other way around. Moving forward, I aim to make smarter, more informed decisions and shift my focus to long-term growth. Losses are part of the journey, but they pave the way for wiser strategies and better results.
