Why Most Traders Fail (And How I Turned It Around)

I still remember my first trade like it was yesterday. I had no idea what I was doing, but I convinced myself I was going to crush it. Spoiler alert: I didn’t. In fact, I wiped out 20% of my account in less than an hour. I sat there staring at my screen, wondering what the hell just happened.

If you’ve been there, I get it. Trading isn’t easy—it’s brutal at times. The truth is, most traders fail not because they’re bad at it, but because they’re unprepared for what trading really demands.

I’ve made every mistake you can think of, but here’s the good news: I’ve also learned how to turn it around. This isn’t theory—it’s my story.

Lesson 1: Winging It Will Destroy You
When I started, I thought trading was just about picking the right stock or currency and riding the wave. I’d watch a few YouTube videos, scan some charts, and think, “Yeah, this looks good!” It wasn’t. I was basically gambling with my money.

What finally clicked:

-I needed a plan, plain and simple. One day, I sat down and wrote out what I’d do: what I’d trade, how I’d manage risk, and when I’d call it a day.

-The first time I actually stuck to my plan, I didn’t even win big. But for the first time, I felt in control, and that was everything.

Lesson 2: Risking It All = Losing It All
There was this one trade—I'll never forget it. I bet way more than I should’ve because I was sure I’d win. When it went south, I froze. I couldn’t bring myself to close it, and the losses just piled up. By the time I got out, half my account was gone.

What saved me:

-I learned to only risk a small percentage of my account—1-2% per trade. Yeah, it felt slow, but it kept me in the game.

-I started using stop losses religiously. No more crossing my fingers and hoping for the best.

Lesson 3: Emotions Are Your Worst Enemy
I used to get so caught up in the highs and lows. A big win would make me feel invincible. A big loss? Devastated. I’d jump into revenge trades, trying to get my money back, and just dig myself deeper.

What changed:

-I started journaling every trade—not just the numbers, but how I felt. I noticed patterns, like how I’d overtrade when I was frustrated.

-Now, if I feel off, I walk away. No charts, no trades, just a reset.

Lesson 4: Overtrading Was My Addiction
I thought trading more meant making more. So I’d take setups that were “meh” at best, just to feel like I was doing something.

What helped:

-I stopped looking for trades—I started waiting for them.

-Now, I focus on one or two great setups a day. The rest? I let them go.

Lesson 5: You Don’t Have to Know Everything
At one point, I was drowning in information. I had 15 indicators on my chart, followed 20 gurus on Twitter, and read every trading blog I could find. It was overwhelming, and it didn’t help.

My aha moment:

-Simplicity wins. I stripped my charts down to the basics: price action, support/resistance, and a couple of indicators I actually understood.

-I stopped chasing the “perfect” strategy and focused on mastering one approach.

You Can Do This
I’ll be honest—there were moments when I wanted to quit. Blowing up accounts, feeling like a failure, wondering if I was cut out for this... it was hard. But looking back, I’m glad I didn’t give up.

If you’re struggling, I get it. I’ve been in your shoes, and I know how overwhelming it can feel. Send me a DM or check out my profile—I’m here, happy to share what worked for me and help however I can.

Trading isn’t about being perfect. It’s about progress. So take a breath, refocus, and keep going. You’ve got this.


Kris/Mindbloome Exchange
Trade What You See