Contracts are like a mirror that reveals your true self. Some get lost inside, unable to find their way out; others defy the odds and change their fate.

Last week in the middle of the night, a buddy of mine complained to me: "It blew up again, just a little... I could have made money." Followed by a bunch of despair. I didn’t ask for details—I’ve seen the routine enough: start with small gains, then greed kicks in and you set stop-losses too late, go all-in chasing the move, only to be caught by a sudden reverse fluctuation and get caught at the bottom.

In contrast, another student I mentored for two years sent me a screenshot a few days ago—showing six consecutive months of consistent profits. So, what’s the difference? Just two words: discipline.

01 Two Types of Traders, Living in Two Different Worlds

Truly disciplined traders operate like professional snipers. Before pulling the trigger, they must pass three checkpoints: where to shoot (long or short), where is the escape route (where to set stop-loss), and how far is the target (profit goal).

They only act within signals they fully understand. Those sudden "needle-threading" moves or seemingly tempting "V-shaped rebounds"—if they can miss them, they do, and never blindly jump in. Take profit? Not because they’re scared and want to run, but because they genuinely take the money into their pocket. Stop-loss? Not about admitting defeat, but about using a small, controlled risk to give themselves a chance to stay alive and keep playing, ensuring their principal remains intact.

Emotions will definitely surface, but professional traders let rules guide every step, never letting emotions lead the way.

On the other hand, impulsive traders are like gamblers in a casino with their eyes red. When a big bullish candle appears on the chart, they immediately see it as a rocket ready to skyrocket, fearing they’ll miss out on a fortune if it drops back.