I don't know if you've ever experienced this, or if you're going through it right now:

Every time you buy, the price drops; every time you sell, it soars. Does it feel like the market is watching those few hundred shares in your hands?
When you're in profit, you can't wait to cash out, but when you're at a loss, you stubbornly hold on to the end, ending up with small gains and big losses?
Being in cash feels worse than being fully invested; if you don't trade for a day, you get itchy fingers. In the end, frequent trading just makes you work for the broker?

I've learned three lifesaving principles with real money:

1. Do the opposite, that's the right way
Afraid of losing money? Set your stop-loss in advance, and cut your losses decisively when the price breaks support—turn it off like you would your phone. Want to make money? Let your winning trades run longer, move your stop-loss up to your entry price, and let your profits grow on their own. Stop trying to buy at the very lowest and sell at the very highest.

2. Only earn money you understand
There are tons of stocks hitting limit-up every day, but that's none of your business. You need your own "playbook": are you trading breakouts or pullbacks? Decide on one, and stick to it. No matter how hot something is, if it doesn't fit your strategy, ignore it. Your focus is your biggest advantage.

3. Learning to stay in cash is more important than learning to buy
When the market is bad, the best move is not to make any moves. Being in cash isn't cowardice—it's strategy. It's about protecting your capital and waiting for the opportunity you are most confident in. Surviving longer is the key to winning in the end.

In the market, your skills determine how much you make, but your mindset determines how quickly you lose. Etch these three rules into your memory and turn them into instinct.

Stay steady, and we can win.