The attraction and turning $100 into $1000
For a great many new traders the dream of taking that first Turning $100 into $1,000 is what defines success. Financial freedom, quick growth, and the chance to prove to yourself that the odds are beatable are very appealing which is what brings in the beginner traders to the world of forex, stocks, crypto and futures.
But before you jump in it is important to see that while this ten fold growth is a possibility it is also a very risky road. The success stories you see on social media of accounts that grow beyond belief in a short time are the exception not the rule. Also most experienced traders and industry experts report that this kind of explosive growth is not to be expected overnight and definitely not without a solid plan, structure and a very dedicated approach to risk control. 123
If you are a beginner at trading the first thing to accept is that it takes time. This transition may take months as opposed to weeks and will need of a solid strategy as well as a very focused approach to protect your capital. What’s more important is that you are part of the process daily rather than hitting the lottery with one big trade. In fact the key to growth is in amassing a series of moderate wins, riding out the losses and allowing your profits to compound. It is survival more than anything else which is the true key to growth in trading. Stick with it long enough and the break in your favor will come.
Setting Realistic and Measurable Trading Goals
Go for steady percentage growth instead of large risk filled profits. Also report that we which are the experts put out that a weekly return of 2 5% is at once aggressive and doable which also improves when you allow for compounding which in turn works over several months.
Realistic trading goals must define what you term as “success” in this venture. Do you wish to see a steady profit every month? Is your aim to protect your capital while you learn to master new tools? Set both short term (for instance a 5% weekly gain) and long term (for example doubling your account in a year) goals which present a structured plan and a healthy balance between ambition and practicality. This level of detail in what you are going for allows for regular assessment and tuning of your strategy which is very much key to growth and adaptation in the ever changing market.
In terms of risk reward ratio and keeping daily losses to under 1-2% of your account you develop practices which in turn increase your longevity as a trader. 143
The Heart of Trading: Risk Assessment for Small Accounts
Never put more than 1-2% of what you have in your account at risk per trade. With a 1 2 per trade. It may seem like a small number but this is a proven method which keeps you in the game. With small risks your account has a better chance to weather losing streaks and also reduces the emotional stress large losses can bring.
Implement into stop loss orders which will get you out at the first sign of trouble and which in turn will keep you in the game as your profits grow. For each trade set your stop loss at the first support level below or resistance level above to really cap your risk and at the same time let big trades run. Also, do not change your stops which you have put in that is for when you want to get out. This discipline is what we see in traders which weather the storm as opposed to those which do not.97.
A 2 to 1 ratio is what we are after. Which means that which ever way it goes you do well in the long term.
At the end, pay close attention to your position sizes. Use basic formulas and tools to see that you do not overextend yourself, which is even more critical when volatility increases. Proper position sizing also protects your account which in turn helps keep your emotions in check and instills the discipline that is key to long term success.
Compound Growth: Using Patience and Consistency
Also it is a good idea to diversify across assets, strategies, or timeframes. By spreading out risk whether trading in different currency pairs or using many approaches you reduce the impact of a single bad trade and see better chance of consistent, reliable returns.
Keep in which that which is true of compound interest is a slow process. Do not expect to see your investment grow overnight. It is the traders that do well which give the slow magic of compounding a chance, putting in moderate returns which over time see large results. 6
Emotional Discipline: The best tools for new traders
The trader’s issue of mind. With a small account the drive to “make it big” in one trade is great, also the pain of losing a large sum is much greater. Emotional control is key, that is to say in the former which is to calmly honor your stop loss or in the later which is to ignore the urge to double up after a loss.
Developing and adhering to a trading plan puts you in a stable frame of mind and protects you from impulsive, emotional decisions that may end your trading career before it takes off. Also do regular reviews of your trades, identify what patterns of error you fall into and what is setting off your emotional responses. In this way you work on the psychological aspects of trading which in turn you develop the most valuable asset resilience you as a trader with limited resources.
Conclusion
Turning 1,000 is a task for new traders which only does so with strict risk management, patient goal setting, and discipline in execution. Instead of going for quick riches, put your energy into protecting what you have, making steady progress, and let compounding do it’s thing over time. The rush of success is greater and more lasting when it is built on a base of smart risk control, realistic expectations, and constant learning.
