Why Traders Break Their Own Rules
Every trader starts with a plan — clear setups, defined entries, and strict risk rules. But when it’s time to act, most of us do the opposite. We jump in early, move stop losses, or take profits too soon. The question is simple: if we already know the rules, why do we keep breaking them? The answer lies in our illusion of control. When we look at charts, we feel like we can predict what’s coming. A candle moves fast, and suddenly we believe our experience or instinct can beat probability. We forget that trading isn’t about control, it’s about discipline and patience. Every broken rule usually starts small — maybe one skipped stop loss or one trade taken “just this time.” That small mistake gives a false sense of safety, and the brain rewards it with confidence. The next time, you bend the rule again. Soon, your trading plan turns into a memory. The market has a way of humbling that mindset. It reminds us that setups work only when we follow them, not when we try to outsmart them. To st...