Problem
You treat each trade as if it determines your worth as a trader. Wins make you euphoric, losses crush your confidence. Every single trade feels “life or death.”
Cause
- Ego tied to results — you equate being “right” with being a good trader.
- Lack of statistical mindset — forgetting that success comes from a series of trades, not one.
How the Brain Works
- The ego reacts to losses as personal attacks.
- Losses trigger pain centers, making them feel more significant than wins.
- This leads to over-attachment, where one losing trade feels like a verdict on your entire skill.
Real-Life Example
Laura has a strategy with a 60% win rate. Over 10 trades she wins 6 and loses 4, ending profitable. But instead of celebrating, she obsesses over the 4 losses, doubting her abilities. This emotional attachment clouds her next decisions.
Practical Solutions
- Think in Probabilities – remind yourself: each trade is just 1 of 100.
- Journal in Percentages – track your win rate instead of obsessing over each outcome.
- Process over Outcome – reward yourself for following rules, not for winning or losing.
- Detach with Language – say “this trade lost” instead of “I lost.”
Key Takeaway: Each trade is just one puzzle piece 🧩. Success comes from the whole picture, not any single trade.