What makes successful traders different from unsuccessful traders? What is it that they do differently? These are some questions that every new trader finds themselves asking. Besides technical skills, forex trading requires a composed mind and a can-do attitude. If you do not meet these requirements, you will have a hard time sustaining yourself in the market. Successful traders have certain qualities and habits that set them apart from the rest. In this article, we will explore nine things you may not know about successful forex traders. Understanding these key factors can help you improve your trading experience and increase your chances of success in the forex market.
9 Things That Successful Forex Traders Have In Common
1. They Don’t ‘lose’
Successful forex traders understand that setbacks are not roadblocks but stepping stones towards improvement. Just like skilled athletes analyse their game footage to refine their technique, these traders keep a meticulous trading journal. Every loss is an opportunity to dissect what went wrong and how to avoid it next time. This approach transforms losses from sources of frustration into valuable lessons that shape their strategies.
So, if you face a significant loss due to sudden market volatility, Instead of feeling defeated, learn to analyse your trades. You will realise where you went wrong. It could be the stop-loss levels you did not set to protect your capital. Or you might have taken a bigger risk. This way, you can adjust your risk management strategy, preventing a similar mishap in the future.
2. They Use Price Action They Don’t ‘lose’
Price action is the heartbeat of forex trading. Just like how a seasoned detective deciphers clues, successful traders read the charts’ language to identify market trends and potential reversals. Traders gain an advantage in predicting price movements by recognising patterns such as engulfing candlesticks and head and shoulders formations.
When you use price action, you have to notice a repeated pattern. For example, suppose you notice repeated lower highs and lower lows on the chart and recognise a descending triangle formation. In that case, you anticipate a bearish breakout and can decide your position accordingly. As a result, you can make your trade profitable.
3. They Have a Defined Trading Edge
Every successful trader has a unique trading edge that sets them apart. Whether mastering a specific currency pair or harnessing a technical indicator like the moving average convergence divergence (MACD), this edge becomes their signature move in the market. So, learn to identify and develop your trading edge.
You don’t have to run behind multiple forex currency pairs to find your edge. Trade one pair with all your time and effort. If you choose EUR/USD, understand the economic dynamics between the Eurozone and the United States. This expertise will allow you to predict currency movements accurately, consistently reaping profits.
While looking for a trading edge, you should also ensure that you are equipped with the best trading tools and platforms. The trading platform should provide you with all the latest tools to simplify the trading process. One such platform is MT5, which includes several indicators and supports multi-asset trading.
4. Successful Forex Traders Don’t Try Too Hard
Forex trading can be addictive, similar to marathon runners pushing themselves to their limits. Yet, just like a runner understands the importance of rest to prevent burnout, you also need to know when to step back. This knowledge and self-awareness will help you avoid overtrading during periods of high volatility; hence, you will recognise more moments of calm reflection, which will often lead to better decisions.
For a trader who is trading excessively during news releases, this could lead to erratic results. You, too, might be doing something like that but ignoring it. Taking a step back and analysing this method will improve your focus and teach you when to stop.
5. They Think in Terms of Risk
Risk management is the first and foremost thing to learn in forex trading. Successful traders assess potential losses before entering a trade. They use position sizing, accurate margin and stop-loss orders to protect their capital. This disciplined approach minimises losses and safeguards their trading journey. You should do the same with the help of forex trading calculators. Take the margin calculator as an example, this tool can provide accurate data regarding the margin you should use per trade to be profitable or limit your losses. Calculators like these will help you develop a realistic trading plan.
Many new traders commit this mistake. fascinated by high-risk, high-reward trades, they risk too much and often suffer substantial losses. If you are doing this, you need to recalibrate your strategy to risk no more than 2% of your account on any trade. As a result, you will preserve more of your capital and get better results.
6. They Don’t Need the Money
Trading with an abundance mindset is like having a sturdy anchor in stormy seas. Successful traders diversify their revenue streams instead of relying solely on trading income. Just as wise investors spread their investments, you can have side ventures or investments that provide financial stability.
You could try your luck with a freelance business. This additional income will ensure that you can make rational trading decisions without solely depending on your trades’ outcomes.
7. Successful Forex Traders Know When to Walk Away
Exiting a trade is as crucial as entering one, and it comes down to whether you exit or manage your trade properly. Some of the most useful techniques that traders incorporate into their forex strategies are using trailing stops to capture profits or promptly cutting losses when the trade goes south. You should also stay disciplined, avoid emotional decision-making, and avoid the temptation to prematurely exit the trade.
8. They Don’t Focus on Wins and Losses
A successful trader is a strategist, not a gambler. They focus on consistency over individual wins or losses. They work towards a consistent percentage return on their account over time, regardless of temporary market fluctuations. Therefore, have a steady goal in mind.
Having a goal, such as achieving a 10% return on your account each quarter, will allow you to manage your expectations. Short-term market movements will also prevent you from becoming overly elated or disheartened.
9. They Never Gave Up
Forex trading is a roller coaster ride filled with ups and downs. A successful trader accepts the nature of the market and is determined to fight no matter how good or bad trading days/weeks are happening. They show this attitude by learning more about forex trading.
They seek out mentors, educational resources, and trading communities to continuously refine their skills and stay ahead of the curve.
Instead of giving up, always look for ways to make your strategies better. Take advantage of a demo account to review your strategies from time to time. With consistent backtesting on a demo account, you will be able to evaluate your strategy and tune it to perfection.
Key Takeaways
Successful forex traders have certain qualities and habits that contribute to their success. In this article, we have talked about nine such trading qualities of successful forex traders – that you can develop to improve your trading journey. They approach trading with discipline, focus on risk management, and have a defined trading edge.
Successful forex traders understand the role of losses in trading and use the best techniques, such as price action, to make informed decisions. They also know when to walk away. Most importantly, their qualities teach us to never give up and continue learning and improving.
HedgeThink.com is the fund industry’s leading news, research and analysis source for individual and institutional accredited investors and professionals
