Why most amateur traders fail

One phenomenon that derails amateur Forex traders time and time again is method complexity syndrome. They research a trading method, buy it and the minute they receive it, they jump ahead to what they consider to be “the guts” of the method. In doing so, they completely ignore all of the other aspects of trading, including risk management, discipline, and psychology.

They get into the "guts" of the method only looking for that big, mysterious, slap-your-forehead, jaw-dropping "secret" which will suddenly unlock the mysteries of the Forex universe and make them Master and Commander of every Forex pair. All too often, they find themselves completely disappointed or the "guts" reveal something they'd already heard about (but had not practiced). Amateur traders will then dismiss the method as 'too simple'.

Or, the amateur trader will look for that complicated formula, cryptic combination of indicators and all too often what they actually discover is a set of simple indicators working together in an uncommon way, and they say, "Well I could have done that!" -- and they become disappointed or frustrated, because they wrongly assume that any method MUST BE complex, it can't possible be SIMPLE! So, they shelve the method or return it and complain that it's "not complicated" enough.

This is a serious mistake - because the amateur trader will then repeat this error method after method and they will never take the time to learn and understand the full process of trading.

Don't make this mistake. Understand that most trading methods out there are not complicated. They weave a smaller set of rules together in a simple manner (simple enough that anybody can apply them) but apply them in an uncommon way. Complex systems are for computer geeks and big banks -- if you can't understand something, you can't possibly apply it.

Never skip ahead when learning a powerful new method for trading Forex. Make certain you learn the setup, entry and exit rules (which should exist); that you learn how to protect your trade with stops; and that you learn how to apply your method on a timely basis (be it hourly, daily or weekly) to get the most out of the method and to learn how all facets of what you learn work cooperatively to make you a better trader.

Remember, Simple but Powerful -- using just a few indicators or rules applied in a non-textbook approach -- is the key to getting an edge in the markets.

by Eugene Ng -

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