So let’s talk about “What Type of trader are you?”

This is a follow up to my previous article, “The Traders Journey.”

So here’s what I’m seeing. There are 2 extreme types of traders.

 

The Type of Trader Who Wants to Know Everything

1.) This type of trader can’t get enough information. They’re like a ‘knowledge vacuum’:

This type of trader thinks that by knowing EVERYTHING they can, this will inevitably lead to them making money in the markets.

So he keeps reading books, watching YouTube videos, attends webinars…knowledge, knowledge, knowledge.

… and he hasn’t placed a single trade yet.

So think about it this way:

Let’s say there’s somebody who wants to run a marathon. So he starts reading books about it and watches videos.

He knows all about pacing, how he should train and what he needs to eat. He know the best shoes for running a marathon, and the best clothing…

…. but he hasn’t run a single mile yet.

Now onto…

The Type of Trader Who Doesn’t Know Anything

Now here’s the other extreme.

The other extreme is the “trader” who doesn’t know anything, but they got a “hot stock tip from somebody.”

This trader buys a stock and doesn’t know anything.

Here’s an example:

fxsoriginal

Edith has heard about SNOW, the biggest IPO of the year. It’s also the most hyped up IPO in a LONG time.

I wrote another article on this: “Should I Invest In Snowflake?”

It was originally priced at $85, then they raised the price to $110, and when it started trading, it jumped to $320!

So Edith bought some shares for $243.

And I asked her about the her profit target, and here’s her answer:

“I don’t know what to expect. I hope that one of my stocks really takes off and I could buy a new home.”

Wait…. What??? You bought 10 shares for $243, so that $2,430.

I don’t know what houses cost in your area, but let’s make it easy and say it’s $250,000.

So your shares would have to rise from $243 to $25,000 to make that happen!

And in the markets, obviously anything can happen…but do I see that happening. Well, not in my lifetime ;-)

Which type of trader is right?

Of these two different types of extreme traders, the question still remains:

What’s right? Which of these 2 approaches should you use?

The “I want to know it all” approach or the “Let’s buy some stocks and see what happens” approach?

I hope you’ve by now realized that it’s neither.

That’s why I released “The Traders Journey.” You should really check it out.

Here’s the right approach in a nutshell:

  • Find a strategy that makes sense to you (risk, time required, win %,). Examples: The PowerX Strategy, The Wheel. I made a video in which I compare these 2 strategies according to 5 criteria. It’s called “The Best Trading Strategy 2020“

  • Learn the rules of the strategy

  • Place at least 40 trades on a simulator.

  • What are the results?

  • If it’s good, start trading it. If it’s bad, what can you do to improve?

Now one more thing:

When it comes to trading, YOU WILL HAVE LOSSES. No matter what they say, you will have winning trades, and you will have losing trades.

There are no guarantees that you will make money as a trader.

They key is to keep your losses small.

Summary

Now again, there’s 2 types of traders here:

1.) That’s the trader with a $10,000 account who sees a loss of $100. That’s 1% of his account. But he’s freaking out:

2.) Then there’s the other type of trader who buys a stock, and it moves against him. But he doesn’t take action. He doesn’t control his loss.

Here’s an example:

fxsoriginal

This trader invested $4,400 and is now down $900. That’s 20% of the account!

THIS is what kills traders. THIS is what destroys accounts, NOT controlling your losses.

It’s like “hoping for the best” and believing that “everything will be fine” like this guy:

Do yourself a favor right now:

Read my last article, “The Traders Journey” and follow the steps that I’m outlining in that article.

Then do the 5 steps I mentioned above:

  1. Find a strategy that makes sense to you. Examples: The PowerX Strategy, The Wheel

  2. Learn the rules of the strategy

  3. Place at least 40 trades on a simulator.

  4. What are the results?

  5. If it’s good, start trading it. If it’s bad, what can you do to improve?


Trading Futures, options on futures and retail off-exchange foreign currency transactions involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. You should carefully consider whether trading is suitable for you in light of your circumstances, knowledge, and financial resources. You may lose all or more of your initial investment. The lower the day trade margin, the higher the leverage and riskier the trade. Leverage can work for you as well as against you; it magnifies gains as well as losses. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.

Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD flirts with daily highs, retargets 1.1900

EUR/USD flirts with daily highs, retargets 1.1900

EUR/USD regains upside traction, returning to the 1.1880 zone and refocusing its attention to the key 1.1900 barrier. The pair’s slight gains comes against the backdrop of a humble decline in the US Dollar as investors continue to assess the latest US CPI readings and the potential Fed’s rate path.

GBP/USD remains well bid around 1.3650

GBP/USD remains well bid around 1.3650

GBP/USD maintains its upside momentum in place, hovering around daily highs near 1.3650 and setting aside part of the recent three-day drop. Cable’s improved sentiment comes on the back of the Greenback’s  irresolute price action, while recent hawkish comments from the BoE’s Pill also collaborate with the uptick.

USD/JPY edges up above 153.50 with all eyes on US CPI figures

USD/JPY edges up above 153.50 with all eyes on US CPI figures

USD/JPY appreciates above 153.00 but remains on track for a 2.4% weekly loss. Trading volumes remain subdued on Friday, ahead of the IS CPI release. The Yen remains supported by hopes of a stable government and calls for further BoJ tightening.


Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD: Yes, the US economy is resilient – No, that won’t save the US Dollar

EUR/USD: Yes, the US economy is resilient – No, that won’t save the US Dollar Premium

Some impressive US data should have resulted in a much stronger USD. Well, it didn’t happen. The EUR/USD pair closed a third consecutive week little changed, a handful of pips above the 1.1800 mark. 

Gold: Metals remain vulnerable to broad market mood

Gold: Metals remain vulnerable to broad market mood Premium

Gold (XAU/USD) started the week on a bullish note and climbed above $5,000 before declining sharply and erasing its weekly gains on Thursday, only to recover heading into the weekend. 

GBP/USD: Pound Sterling remains below 1.3700 ahead of UK inflation test

GBP/USD: Pound Sterling remains below 1.3700 ahead of UK inflation test Premium

The Pound Sterling (GBP) failed to resist at higher levels against the US Dollar (USD), but buyers held their ground amid a US data-busy blockbuster week.

Bitcoin: BTC bears aren’t done yet

Bitcoin: BTC bears aren’t done yet

Bitcoin (BTC) price slips below $67,000 at the time of writing on Friday, remaining under pressure and extending losses of nearly 5% so far this week.

US Dollar: Big in Japan

US Dollar: Big in Japan Premium

The US Dollar (USD) resumed its yearly downtrend this week, slipping back to two-week troughs just to bounce back a tad in the second half of the week.

RECOMMENDED LESSONS

5 Forex News Events You Need To Know

In the fast moving world of currency markets where huge moves can seemingly come from nowhere, it is extremely important for new traders to learn about the various economic indicators and forex news events and releases that shape the markets. Indeed, quickly getting a handle on which data to look out for, what it means, and how to trade it can see new traders quickly become far more profitable and sets up the road to long term success.

Top 10 Chart Patterns Every Trader Should Know

Chart patterns are one of the most effective trading tools for a trader. They are pure price-action, and form on the basis of underlying buying and selling pressure. Chart patterns have a proven track-record, and traders use them to identify continuation or reversal signals, to open positions and identify price targets.

7 Ways to Avoid Forex Scams

The forex industry is recently seeing more and more scams. Here are 7 ways to avoid losing your money in such scams: Forex scams are becoming frequent. Michael Greenberg reports on luxurious expenses, including a submarine bought from the money taken from forex traders. Here’s another report of a forex fraud. So, how can we avoid falling in such forex scams?

What Are the 10 Fatal Mistakes Traders Make

Trading is exciting. Trading is hard. Trading is extremely hard. Some say that it takes more than 10,000 hours to master. Others believe that trading is the way to quick riches. They might be both wrong. What is important to know that no matter how experienced you are, mistakes will be part of the trading process.

Strategy

Money Management

Psychology

Best Brokers of 2025