Stop Worrying About Other traders And Mind Your Business!

When i first started trading, I fell into a common trap of constantly comparing myself to other traders. I watched other trader's every move, studied their results, and questioned my own progress. I found myself wondering why my positions weren't showing the same flashy profits I saw on social media, or why their systems didn't seem to work as well for me as it did for them. This mindset caused me nothing but self-doubt and frustration.

This hits home for me because this was a problem I had to deal with personally in the premiere stages of my trading. I was so caught up in comparing myself to other traders that I dismissed the efforts of my own journey. It took time, but out of many, I learned one of the most valuable lessons in trading. That's to mind my business! The truth is, what works for someone else may not work for you. The sooner you accept that, the better off you'll be.

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The Comparison Trap in Trading

Social media has made it easier than ever to compare yourself to other traders. Every day, you see someone posting their latest wins, flashing their withdrawals, or claiming to have cracked the code to financial freedom. Posting successful positions is not bad but if you don't have self control and find yourself comparing, I strongly advise staying away from things like social media.

It's easy to start questioning yourself:

• Why am I not making as much as they are?

• Should I change my strategy?

• Am I even on the right path?

What many traders fail to realize is that social media is a highlight reel. Most people only share their best trades, not their losses, mistakes, or struggles. Some don't show the sleepless nights, the emotional toil, or the years of trial and error it took to reach their current level.

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Why Someone Else's Trading System Might Not Work for You

Another big lesson I learned is that every trader is different. We all have unique personalities, risk tolerances, and lifestyles, which means there's no one-size fits all approach to trading.

Some traders thrive on high frequency scalping, jumping in and out of trades within minutes. Others, like myself, prefer intraday / swing trading, where patience and discipline play a bigger role. If I forced myself to trade like someone else, I would have only set myself up for failure.

Your trading system has to align with:

• Your psychology - Are you naturally patient, or do you need instant gratification?

• Your lifestyle - Do you have time to watch the market all day, or do you need a system that allows flexibility?

• Your risk tolerance - Are you comfortable with larger drawdowns, or do you prefer a lower risk approach?

  
  

In the earlier stages of my trading, I tried to force myself to fit into strategies that weren't suited for me. I followed different mentors who traded differently than I wanted to, thinking I had to copy them to be successful. But every time I deviated from my natural tendencies, I struggled. I took trades that didn't feel right, I hesitated when I should have acted, and I constantly second guessed myself.

Eventually, I realized that in order to evolve as a better trader, I needed to develop a system that fit me rather than somebody else's.

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Building a System That Works for You

Developing my own trading system took time, but it was worth it. I stopped blindly following other traders and started focusing on what worked best for me based on my psychology, strengths, and weaknesses.

I leaned heavily on candlestick patterns for confirmation because I found that visual cues gave me more confidence in my trades. I also focus on the daily, 4 hour, and 30 minute timeframes, since they allowed me to balance patience with the need to stay actively engaged.

We all must accept that no system is perfect. Losses are inevitable. Instead of chasing a system that promised zero losses (which doesn't exist), I focused on risk management and ensuring that my wins outweigh my losses in the long run.

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Staying Steady on the Path

One of the hardest parts of trading is staying consistent when things don't seem to be going your way. There will always be moments of doubt, losing streaks, and the temptation to jump from one strategy to another. But the key to success is staying steady on your own path.

Instead of worrying about what other traders are doing, ask yourself:

• Am I following my plan?

• Am I making decisions based on logic, not emotions?

• Am I improving my discipline and patience over time?

The moment I let go of the illusion of overnight success, my doubts started to slowly fade. I no longer felt the need to chase someone else's results or question my own progress. I trusted my process, made adjustments when needed, and focused on my personal growth rather than outside noise.

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Final Thoughts

If you are struggling with self doubt of what you see other traders doing, take a step back. Understand that everyone's journey is different, and comparison will only hold you back. Trading is a deeply personal skill that requires self awareness, patience, and discipline.

Start working on elements that work for you, based on your unique strengths and lifestyle. Mind your business, stay steady on your path, and remember, the only competition that matters is the one you have with yourself. Keep learning, keep growing, and don't let distractions derail your journey.