zmaj asked:
....Why most of us fail at trading ? ....


By ....most of us....,

which do you mean:

Those learning how to trade?

Those traders wining some, losing plenty?

Those traders winning more than losing?

Those traders winning consistently over a period of time?

FOR THE LEARNING HOW TO STAY ALIVE GROUP:

Mostly they fail to succeed because not finding the right tools
and setups as yet; akin to trying to lobotomize with linen table knife!

FOR THOSE WIN SOME, LOSE SOME GROUP:

Mostly failure dues to inconsistency in executing trades
according to setups and plans, even though their tools of
trades should be profitable, but they perhaps, just carry
too many self-doubt, emotional and psychological
hangups with extended physical fatigue. IN TRYING TO TRADE
FROM BEGINNING BELL TO CLOSING GONG.

FOR THOSE CONSISTENTLY WINNING MORE THAN LOSING GROUP:

Mostly are consistently unable to carry out own goals and objectives,
trying too hard to stay on winning trades too long, wishing
and hoping that those winning trades will ascend or descend
to personal stops; without giving enough respect to the
ever changing market buying selling factors; and/or

applying the same profitable tools and setups in the
earlier session, to the changing and different market
buying selling forces/factors in latter hours; erroneously wishing
and hoping for the market forces to remain favourably
unchanged.

SUMMARILY, consistently profitable traders will apply different
tools and setups to ever changing market conditions with an
open eye on their own physical, mental and psychological
limitations; namely, refrain from trading from opening bell
to closing second, like so very many avid traders believe and advocate!

Believe what you may, and
trade what you wish with
whatever tools and setups you love;
no worry, no hurry, margin calls
is just waiting around the corner,
confound it.

My humble apology for rambling on so long. Many would
have more to augment with even more substantively
info and contributions.

Profitable trading to everyone.

vont 

zmaj asked: ....Why most of us fail at trading ? .... By ....most of us...., which do you mean: Those learning how to trade? Those traders wining some, losing plenty? Those traders winning more than losing? Those traders winning consistently over a period of time? FOR THE LEARNING HOW TO STAY ALIVE GROUP: Mostly they fail to succeed because not finding the right tools and setups as yet; akin to trying to lobotomize with linen table knife! FOR THOSE WIN SOME, LOSE SOME GROUP: Mostly failure dues to inconsistency in executing trades according to setups and plans, even though their tools of trades should be profitable, but they perhaps, just carry too many self-doubt, emotional and psychological hangups with extended physical fatigue. IN TRYING TO TRADE FROM BEGINNING BELL TO CLOSING GONG. FOR THOSE CONSISTENTLY WINNING MORE THAN LOSING GROUP: Mostly are consistently unable to carry out own goals and objectives, trying too hard to stay on winning trades too long, wishing and hoping that those winning trades will ascend or descend to personal stops; without giving enough respect to the ever changing market buying selling factors; and/or applying the same profitable tools and setups in the earlier session, to the changing and different market buying selling forces/factors in latter hours; erroneously wishing and hoping for the market forces to remain favourably unchanged. SUMMARILY, consistently profitable traders will apply different tools and setups to ever changing market conditions with an open eye on their own physical, mental and psychological limitations; namely, refrain from trading from opening bell to closing second, like so very many avid traders believe and advocate! Believe what you may, and trade what you wish with whatever tools and setups you love; no worry, no hurry, margin calls is just waiting around the corner, confound it. My humble apology for rambling on so long. Many would have more to augment with even more substantively info and contributions. Profitable trading to everyone.

Great post thanks

My situation is a little different than yours.

I retired 4 years ago and began trading then. I had been reading a bit and poking around with futures and options for a while by then. Thought it would
be a fun, interesting way to fill hours in retirement and hopefully make a little profit. I only trade micros to keep risks down.

Along the way I've bought a few courses and a few indicators. Watched videos, subscribed to emails.
Even attended a Moneyshow event in Las Vegas. To me that's part of the fun.

But every year I've lost money. Not huge amounts but more than I should be, now that I'm on a fixed income.
Starting this year, I am down right out of the gate.

So before I get to stressed out and start losing life altering money, I am throwing in the towel also.

I know I didn't do all the things correctly, according to the experts. But I did do them to the best of my abilities.
My believe is that everyone is not cut out for this. Same as not everyone can be a doctor, lawyer or engineer.
Everyone is different. Seeing trading opportunities is more art than science, imo. It's a skill I just didn't have.

I'm disappointed it didn't work out. But there are other constructive things to do with my time. I'll find one.

cjshu99 

So before I get to stressed out and start losing life altering money, I am throwing in the towel also. I know I didn't do all the things correctly, according to the experts. But I did do them to the best of my abilities. My believe is that everyone is not cut out for this.

@cjshu99,

There's a kind of wisdom in this post that a lot of traders never reach, honestly.

Four years is not a small commitment. You gave it real effort -- courses, indicators, events, screen time. That's not someone who dabbled. That's someone who genuinely tried. And the fact that you're stepping back before it becomes a crisis on a fixed income? That takes more discipline than most winning trades.

You said something that stuck with me:

"Everyone is not cut out for this."

I think that's true, and I think it's underappreciated. There's a whole industry built around telling people they just need one more course, one more indicator, one more adjustment. The courage to say "I gave it my honest best and it wasn't for me" -- honestly, I respect the hell out of that.

The markets will always be here. But protecting a retirement you worked decades to build? That's the real win. And you made that call yourself, on your own terms, before anyone had to make it for you.

I hope whatever you find next gives you the same intellectual spark that drew you to trading in the first place. Something tells me it will -- anyone who attends a MoneyShow in Vegas for fun has plenty of curiosity left to burn.

Wishing you well.

Have a good weekend!

-- Fi

"Knowing when to walk away is the one trade that always pays."