Over the years in the crypto world, I've taken quite a few wrong turns. The early days were practically textbook examples of how not to do it—staying up late watching charts, chasing highs and selling lows, getting liquidated at any moment, and insomnia and anxiety became daily routines. It wasn't until I completely changed my mindset that I truly understood what stable profits look like.

The key change was simple: don't treat trading as gambling, but as a proper job. Have a regular schedule, operate with a plan, and relax when it's time to unwind. Just this adjustment elevated my trading quality by several levels.

The pitfalls I've encountered and the experience I've gained over these years should still be helpful for beginners:

**Timing is crucial**

Trading during the day is a trap. News is everywhere, prices are unpredictable, and candlestick charts are a mess. Now I usually only consider trading after 9 PM, because by then the market news has been digested, charts are cleaner, and the true direction becomes clearer.

**Profit must be realized**

A harsh lesson: don't be greedy. If you make 1000U, take 300U off the table first to secure your gains, and use the rest as chips for further play. I've seen too many people fall into the trap of "aiming for three times, then five times"—a quick correction can wipe out everything, even the principal. Numbers in your account are just digits; real money is only when you transfer it to your bank card.

**Let the data speak, don’t rely on feelings**

Entering based on gut feeling is the fastest way to self-destruct. Install a market app on your phone, and before each trade, check three things: MACD crossovers, RSI overbought/oversold zones, and Bollinger Band breakouts or squeezes. At least two indicators should align before you feel confident to enter. This method can't guarantee 100% profit, but it significantly reduces errors.

**Stop-loss is non-negotiable**

If you have time to watch the market, move your stop-loss as the price rises. For example, if you entered at 1000U and it rises to 1100U, move your stop-loss to 1050U to lock in profits while leaving room for further gains. When you can't monitor in real-time, set a hard stop-loss at 3% to avoid a black swan event wiping out your position.

**Plan your withdrawals**

Don’t think about letting your money stay in the account to multiply tenfold. People who think that way usually end up losing everything. Every time you make a profit, withdraw 30%-50%—treat that money as hard-earned cash, and you'll be more cautious with your spending.

**Chart analysis has its nuances**

For short-term trading, focus on 1-hour candles. When you see two consecutive bullish candles, consider a long opportunity. If the market is sideways, switch to the 4-hour chart to find support levels; only enter when the price approaches support. Mismatched timeframes can lead to misjudgments.

**Avoid these pitfalls at all costs**

Over-leveraged positions? One mistake and you'll go from full health to zero. Not understanding altcoins? Expect to get wrecked. Trading more than three times a day? Easily fall into emotional trading cycles, making decisions based on feelings rather than rules. And most importantly—never borrow money to trade. Truly, it's a bottomless pit.

Eventually, I realized that trading is never about impulsive actions to get rich quickly. Stable income comes from consistently following a reliable trading system over the long term. Just like going to work—log in on time, operate according to a plan, and when the time is up, log off and rest. No late nights, no overtrading. Sticking to this approach makes your earnings more stable and solid. That’s the right way to do it.