1. They react and make few decisions. They do plan every trade. They just plan a lot faster. The market moves fast, so do they. A plan is somehow neglected by many. Would you start a business without any plans? Do it already. You will improve.
2. They make most of their money on the highs or lows. There will be interest at the highs and lows, they use it to buy and sell into. They are already in a position when it gets there. It is a place that most people are looking at. The market actions will dictate further moves. I disagree that they stop picking tops and bottoms. They just are aware that is the type of trade they are taking. High risk, high reward.
3. They get out on the best tick. On a winner or a loser. See rule 1 and 2. I am not sure why no one ever talks about this, including here. Execution is as important as any other skill.
4. They accept responsibilities for their actions. They do not socialize losses and privatize wins. It is all privatized. They eliminate mistakes and learn more cheaply than others. I do not know if they only trade one market but they are experts on themselves.
5. Success is the end point. They can already pay their bills. They are actually trading with risk capital. They can focus on the market and keeping their TEE in balance. Percentage gains are very important but they are not indicative of future returns. Their measurement is based on how well they executed their plan.
“If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail”. I don’t know who first said that, but it’s a very sound piece of advise indeed. Planning is something that is all too often overlooked by traders, and yet a well drafted trading plan is one of the most important tools for success and profit.