Accepting your decisions in trading: the power of responsibility
In trading, there is something that no one tells you at the beginning, but that completely defines your long-term success: you are the only one responsible for your results. Winning or losing, being right or wrong, every trade you make is the result of your own decisions. And accepting this is both a challenge and a liberation.
I remember when I started, and every time a trade didn’t go as expected, I looked for someone to blame. The market? The news? The indicator that gave me a false signal? But the truth is this: the market owes you nothing, and the only person you owe an explanation to is yourself.
1. The importance of accepting your decisions
Trading is not a guessing game nor a place to look for scapegoats. It is a process that requires analysis, planning, and, above all, responsibility. When you win, it is easy to take credit: 'Of course, it was a brilliant decision!' But what happens when you lose?
Accepting your decisions means:
Recognizing your successes and mistakes: Learning from what went well and, above all, from what went wrong.
Stop blaming the market: The market is not against you; it is simply unpredictable.
Understanding that losses are part of the game: There is no trader in the world who does not lose. What matters is how you handle those losses.
2. Why is it difficult to take responsibility?
Taking responsibility is not easy because it involves facing your own limitations. Accepting that you may have entered late, that you didn’t follow your plan, or that you let your emotions take over is not comfortable.
The reality is that:
The ego comes into play: No one likes to admit they were wrong.
The fear of failing: It is easier to blame external factors than to accept that the decision was yours.
The pressure to win: When money is at stake, responsibility weighs more, but it is also what strengthens you.
3. How to accept your decisions (and grow with them)
1. Stop looking for excuses
The market is not perfect. There will be times when everything seemed aligned, and yet you lose. That doesn't mean your analysis was bad; it means the odds didn't play in your favor this time. Accept it and move on.
2. Have a plan and stick to it
When you have a clear plan (entry, exit, stop loss, risk management), it is easier to accept the results because you know you followed a process. Responsibility starts with having a plan, not with improvising.
3. Keep a record of your trades
A trading diary is not only useful for analyzing your technical mistakes, but also for reflecting on your emotional decisions. Writing down what you felt before, during, and after a trade can help you identify patterns in your behavior.
4. Celebrate your winnings, but also learn from your losses
When you win, enjoy the moment. But when you lose, take the opportunity to analyze what went wrong and how you can improve. Both experiences are valuable if you use them to grow.
5. Remember that you are in control
You cannot control the market, but you can control how you react to it. Every decision you make, whether right or wrong, is an opportunity to learn and strengthen your discipline.
4. The freedom of responsibility
Here comes the most interesting part: taking responsibility is also liberating.
When you accept that your results are the product of your decisions, you stop feeling like a victim of the market. You understand that, although you cannot control everything, you can always improve.
And the best part is that by accepting your decisions:
You become more disciplined.
You learn to trust your process.
You gain more clarity and confidence for your next trades.
Joke to lighten up:
They say trading is like playing chess with yourself: if you win, you’re a genius; if you lose, you can always blame the board. 😂 But the reality is that, in trading, there are no boards to blame, only decisions we make.
Conclusion: The power is in you
Accepting your decisions in trading is not just an act of maturity; it is a powerful tool for growing as a trader. Every trade, whether winning or losing, is an opportunity to learn.
When you take responsibility for your results, you gain something much more valuable than money: the ability to continuously improve. Because in the end, trading is not about being perfect, but about being consistent and willing to learn from every step along the way. 💡
Thank you for reading, have a great day
