issues we face as budding professional traders. Thoughts of failure, imposter syndrome, or self-doubt settle into your mind. Fear of failure takes hold in your gut – the tension of knots twisting in your stomach. Hesitation to continue down this journey or restart your goals from the beginning clouds your judgment.

That’s wrong and harmful thinking. Goals are guidance posts to improve ourselves in any endeavor we take on. Unless it is super easy or completely controllable without subconscious subversion, many of us will fail to achieve our goals on the first attempt. When you hit a setback, it’s easy to let fear take hold – fear of failure, fear of missing the next big trade, fear that maybe this career isn’t for you. But remember, these emotions are part of the process, not a signal to quit. Acknowledge them, process them, and then let them go. It’s a sign of growth when you start to separate your identity from your trades. Failure is simply a step toward mastering the craft, here are actionable ways to manage setbacks.

1. Acknowledgement – Recognize the failure in your work without judgement, and write it down in your trading journal. Do not ignore it or forget about it. It is important to call it out so it is loud and clear in your brain
2. Process it – Walk yourself through every action, thought, or feeling in the minutes that led up to the mistake. Write it down in detail. Analyze what might have caused the unwanted behavior – a trigger. Also analyze what went well. It is important for improvement.
3. Let it go – Remember that changes take time and your issue will not be fixed overnight. Be patient with yourself. Every time you catch yourself making the same mistake, you’re getting closer to identifying the triggers and breaking the habit.
4. Rest – Sometimes letting go requires more time to process the emotions. This is a good opportunity to recalibrate your mind from an active goal chasing neanderthal to a resting meditative monk – a clear non-judgmental mind. Allow your brain to process your failings and turn them into valuable lessons. Take time away from the screens. 

“Failure is simply a step toward mastering the craft, here are actionable ways to manage setbacks. “

– CT-JC

In our pursuit of success, we often think faster is better and results in getting there faster, but sometimes in the rush to get to our destination, we often forget the value of pausing and reflecting. Think of the parable of the man that travels through the jungle with his guides. After days of fast travel, the guides suddenly stop and refuse to continue. When pressed, they explain: “We must wait for our souls to catch up with our bodies.” Sometimes, we need to stop, rest, and let our minds and bodies catch up. Just like the man’s journey, trading requires us to balance our ambition with patience.

As traders, we often push ourselves too hard, expecting immediate results. But just like in the jungle, our minds need time to adjust, learn, and grow. Progress isn’t always linear, and that’s okay. Don’t rush it. Take breaks when needed, reset, and keep going. The marathon is long, but every step forward counts. Every time you return after a setback, you are moving forward, even if it feels like the progress is slow.

Start by setting a small, achievable goal for yourself this week—whether it’s to review your trades more mindfully, stick to a trading plan, or focus on one key improvement you’ve identified. These small wins add up over time and are just as important as the big victories. If you fail again, no problem—simply restart the next day. Every day is an opportunity to grow or is a fresh start to attack your trading goals or resolutions. There is no reason to wait for a new week, new month, or new year. If you fail again, then start again. That’s why this journey is a marathon. You will not be able to change yourself overnight. Along the way, we’ll face challenges, and we’ll fail. A lot. But failure doesn’t mean the end. It’s part of the process.

Remember, the journey is long – it’s a marathon, not a sprint. The road is challenging, but every small step forward matters. Let this be a reminder to not only stay the course but also to celebrate your progress, no matter how small it may seem. Share with us one goal you’re recommitting to this month, and let’s hold each other accountable to make 2026 the year we truly grow as traders. Tomorrow is a fresh start.

CT-JC
CT Team Member

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