In the trading industry, I’ve discovered a truth—compared to those stories of sudden wealth, discipline and patience are the real weapons.

Around this time last year, I was actually planning to leave for good. A misjudgment caused my 1 million capital to evaporate in a margin call. That moment felt like being struck with a heavy blow; I was completely blank.

I smashed my phone, uninstalled all trading apps, and locked myself in a room for two months. There was only one voice in my mind: this industry really isn’t suitable for me.

Until I logged back into my trading account and saw only 3400U remaining, that stubborn spirit of not giving up reignited. There were only two choices: either admit defeat and quit completely, or start from zero with this small amount. I chose the latter.

**Mindset first, making money second**

Anyone who has experienced a margin call understands that feeling. The impact isn’t just from financial loss, but also from psychological torment. But there’s a key realization: the account balance doesn’t equal self-worth, losing money doesn’t define who you are—it’s just a tough battle you need to learn from.

The first thing I did after the margin call was to truly calm myself down. I’ve seen too many examples—people get emotionally hijacked after losing money, start “revenge trading,” and end up risking their last principal. This vicious cycle is terrifying.

I set a rule for myself: check the market only three times a day to free myself from the anxiety of over-monitoring. At the same time, I split the remaining funds into three parts—one for spot trading, one for arbitrage, and one for contracts. This diversification strategy reduces systemic risk and gradually calms my mindset.

**Three iron laws from half a year of practical experience**

First: Never let a single trade threaten the entire capital. This is the most basic risk management. My current rule is that any loss on a trade does not exceed 2% of the account. It sounds conservative, but it’s this conservatism that has kept me alive until today. In contract trading, I never use full position; I always reserve emergency funds.

Second: Emotions and trading must be separated. This is the hardest one. Stop-loss when needed, don’t get hung up on a few points of difference. Hold positions when necessary, don’t panic because of short-term fluctuations. Many beginners think they are fighting the market, but in reality, the real enemy is the person in the mirror.

Third: Recording and reviewing are the best teachers. Every week, I take time to review each trade—when I should have entered but didn’t, and when I entered but shouldn’t have. This isn’t for self-criticism, but to find patterns. Over time, you’ll discover your common mistakes and improve accordingly.

**Current status**

Starting from that 3400U, over more than half a year, my account has recovered to a decent level. But honestly, making money now doesn’t bring me as much joy as before. Instead, I feel a sense of stability and certainty—because I know what I’m doing and understand what the worst-case scenario could be.

In this process, I haven’t found any secret to wealth, but I’ve gradually realized a principle: finding a balance between risk and reward is more valuable than chasing flashy, high-profit opportunities. Discipline may be dull, but it keeps you alive longer.