Breaking the Barrier: 5 Tips to Become a Better Trader in 2024

Everyone will smile at the prospect of making a quick buck. Unfortunately, online trading is not one of those prospects. Admittedly, there are many people who have made fortunes within short time frames, but there are many more that have burnt their fingers.

Are some people just lucky, or is there a secret manual for success that is only in the hands of a few? The short answer is no. Having luck on your side can no doubt make things easier, but successful trading takes more than just luck.

Are you tired of making endless losses?

The following are some things that you should start doing whether you have been trading for a decade or are just starting out.

1. Learn as Much as You Can: This is Not Betting

Trading can result in either a win or a loss, but does that put it on the same level as gambling? Trading and gambling are two different things because of several reasons. First, gambling is a game of chances while trading is not. Your probability of winning at a slot machine is already predetermined, and there’s nothing you can do to change that.

With online trading and investing, you have the potential of making more profits as you get better at it. People who have more access to information and with more experience with different markets are more likely to succeed than novice traders.

This means that if you are just starting out, you must learn as much as possible before jumping into the deep end. Paper trading is a good place to start. This entails honing your skills in a simulated environment without risking actual money.

2. Stop Loss Can be a Life Saver

Let’s face it. All trades will not go as expected all the time. And that is totally okay as long as it is in your trading plan. While there are people who choose to monitor their trades closely at all times, it is better to have a mechanism in place that will protect you when things go south.

This is where a stop loss comes in.

You can describe a stop loss as an order made in advance to release an asset once it falls below a certain price. This means that you can only suffer a certain amount of loss no matter how far the prices fall. Without such a mechanism, a trader who finds themselves with several trades going on a downward trajectory could suffer insurmountable losses.

Whether you are a novice or a seasoned trader, a stop loss is always advisable.

3. Don’t Take Crazy Risks

There are no guarantees in life and trading. Even after painstakingly studying the markets, doing due diligence, and taking all the precautions there are in the world, you could run into losses. Sometimes it could be an unseen event. Other times it could be due to human error. But ultimately, you could take a hit.

Losing money is hard for everyone, and it is even harder if you cannot afford to lose that money. Therefore, as a rule, only trade with what you can afford to lose. It isn’t hard to understand that you shouldn’t risk your lifelong savings or take a huge loan to venture into the business.

This way, you will have less pressure and will be more capable of making more objective decisions.

4. Keep Emotions Out of the Picture

It is hard to separate money and emotions. Fear, greed, overconfidence, and excitement are all too natural when trading. We are human beings, and these are hardwired in us. What matters is how we react when faced with situations that elicit these emotions.

For example, consistent good trades can result in overconfidence and greed, which can spur you into taking trades that are high risk without a proper plan. In the same breath, fear and panic can cause you to back out of a trade that would have been profitable should you have waited.

Strive to be objective and always make decisions out of knowledge rather than impulse.

5. See the Bigger Picture

For you to win in this game, you must be in it for the long haul. This means that you should be realistic and should not expect to make a fortune by next week. Therefore, take every chance to make calculated moves and align your actions with your goals.

This means that you should not be swayed by present events that might not have an impact in the future. For example, a losing trade should not make you deviate from your trading plan. On the other hand, a winning trade shouldn’t cause over-excitement because it is only a step in the right direction. What matters at the end of the day is the profit realized from all trades.

6. Don’t Listen to Other People

Trading comes with so much noise that you could easily lose yourself. Analyst opinions and newscasts can be particularly distracting and could cause you to veer off the right path. While not every opinion is misleading, your primary goal is to put in place a strategy that works.

If you keep getting swayed by other people’s opinions, you will never stick to your strategy and may never make headway. Only make sure that you are working with a good partner such as Admiral Markets, who will offer you the knowledge and tools to become a profitable trader.

  7. Believe in Yourself

New traders often spend money on courses, seminars, and tutorials trying to get as much knowledge as possible. While knowledge is absolutely important, spending big on the promise of becoming an exceptional trader is rarely good advice.

At the end of the day, it is your strategy and trading habits that will determine whether you will be successful. Often, you will learn from your mistakes and become wiser with experience. The most important thing is to believe in yourself and get started.

Everyone Can Be Successful

Everyone can make a tidy profit from online trading, but only if they have the right skills, strategy and are willing to be lifelong learners. If you have been trading without much success, try to figure out what you have been doing wrong and learn from your mistakes. You might also want to get a mentor.