Did you know that the average day trader checks their screen over 300 times a day?

It sounds extreme, but it’s a testament to how intense and consuming the trading world can be. Trading isn’t just a profession; it’s a journey through a landscape as chaotic and unforgiving as the Wild West.

If you think you can conquer the market by simply following the advice of gurus or using the most advanced tools available, you might be in for a rude awakening. The truth is, while there are countless tools at your disposal, the effectiveness of these tools hinges entirely on the trader’s ability to interpret and use them.

Take TradingView, for example — a popular and highly regarded trading charting platform. Even its free version packs enough power to serve many traders well. I remember deciding to subscribe to the cheapest premium plan, hoping that the additional features would somehow make me more profitable. I thought that with more advanced tools at my fingertips, my trading would surely improve. But as it turns out, my PnL (Profit and Loss) barely changed. The premium plan offered some cool extras, but it didn’t magically boost my profits.

Then there’s Exocharts, a more advanced platform that offers order flow analysis tools right out of the box. It’s a step up from TradingView in many respects. But does this mean that those using TradingView are less successful? It’s hard to say.

The reality is success in trading isn’t just about the tools you use; it’s about how you use them. From the many courses I’ve taken, the countless YouTube videos I’ve watched, and the books I’ve read, one thing stands out: every trader is unique. Each has their own style, their own preferences, and what works for one might not work for another.

Sure, you can copy someone else’s settings or strategy, but when it comes to execution, you’ll eventually find the need to refine it, to mold it into something that fits you.

There are no shortcuts in trading. No magic tools or indicators will make you instantly profitable just by using them. If someone claims otherwise, they’re probably trying to sell you something, and you should take that as a red flag.

The real work in trading comes from understanding the markets, building a strategy, and continuously refining your approach.

In essence, being a trader is more than just buying low and selling high; it’s a journey of self-discovery. You spend countless hours in trial and error, learning not just about the markets but about yourself. Even after spending thousands of dollars on courses, you might still find yourself tweaking and adjusting your approach.

Trading is hard. It’s chaotic. It’s like the Wild West, where only the most adaptable survive. But it’s also incredibly rewarding, not just financially, but personally. Because in the end, the greatest tool in your trading arsenal isn’t some charting software or strategy — it’s you. And the more you understand yourself, the better trader you’ll become.