I’ve been a trader for over 10 years now… and I don’t take any of it for granted.
Most mornings I still wake up and pinch myself, to make sure I’m not dreaming.
I’m so thankful for what I have, to be able to wake up every day to the freedom of choosing how to spend my time.
I’ll never have to write another resume, wear an office suit, or squeeze in morning traffic.
I’m not telling you this to brag. I’m telling you this because I want you to understand that although it’s a great life, it didn’t come easily.
You see… it’s easy to set up an account and start trading, but making money consistently isn’t.
I Struggled For Years
When I first started trading, I didn’t know that the majority of retail traders give up and drop out within a year.
Filled with optimism and enthusiasm, I signed up for 4 different trading courses and spent over $20,000 learning how to trade.
Brimming with trading knowledge, I then proceeded to blow up 3 of my trading accounts, most spectacularly.
It was terrible.
I was down, and I wanted to quit every single day. I just couldn’t understand why I kept losing money even though I was following the advice of the “experts”.
Cut losses. Let profits run. The trend is your friend. The same advice over and over again.
I couldn’t understand why everyone was spouting the same advice when they are clearly ineffective in practice. I was lost.
I was desperate to figure out the game of Forex trading… and yet, all the time, effort and money spent on it had brought me nothing but frustration.
But no matter how bad I felt about failing, no matter how embarrassed I was, the one thing I didn’t do was give up.
And that brings me to the message I’d like to share with you today.
All Things Are Difficult Before They Are Easy
If you’re struggling with your trading, you’re not alone.
It can be frustrating. It can make you feel terrible.
It can feel like a hopeless cause.
I get it, I’ve been there.
But understand that before trading becomes easy, it will first become difficult.
Think about the time you learned how to cycle, cook or drive. Was it immediately easy for you?
You’ve probably stumbled along the way and screwed up a few times before it became second nature.
Trading is never easy when you first start. It’s uncomfortable.
The key is not to give up.
I’ll be blunt with you: Trading is not for the weak willed.
When the going gets tough, most people back down and quit.
So if you’re continuing to practice despite the challenges, I salute you.
And if you’re thinking of quitting, take this new year as an opportunity to begin afresh.
The rewards aren’t easy to achieve, but they’re worth it. That’s for sure.
Thank You. Really.
Lastly, I want to thank you for continuing to be a subscriber/customer of mine.
Trading can get pretty lonely sometimes, and it’s my privilege to be in communication with so many smart and determined people from all walks of life, all over the world.
The markets will continue to change over the years, and we will adapt accordingly, together.
Here’s to a toast to the end of a challenging but fulfilling year, and to the start of a new, even more rewarding one.
Take care, and I’ll see you next year.
Thank you Chris for your inspired words !
I’m in 100% agreement with you that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Despite struggling to earn a decent amount through Fx for the last 02 years, I have not given up. I’m pretty sure very soon I’m going to have my way. I do not have the slightest doubt about it. I salute you for your encouraging write-up which will inspire plenty of traders around the globe. Praying for your happy life & wishing you a fabulous 2013.
Thank you Chris for your kind words i am not going to give up
Very nice explanation Chris
Happy New Year Chris. Nothing that is worthwhile comes easy. I’ll let you know how well or badly I have done at theend of 2013.
Best wishes
Edward
Thank you so much for your encouragement.
Happy New Year!!!
Nice!
I know exactly what you mean. After many years I am getting into the profit zone. Has cost me a bundle.
Still have the home stretch to go, but I will get there.
I enjoy reading your blog as it is both inspiring and very down-to-earth. Have a toast on me as well for the New Year 2013. Looking forward to what the new year brings to the table and especially Planting Pips.
CHRIS…I agree with your comments and am in the same boat, same situation as I have been a year ago…still looking for a solution…enjoyed your articles..KUNG HEE FAT CHOY!
Chris!
Greetings and Happy New Year.
You are really great.
Your suggestions are precious and dano hope to move forward.
I feel safer to work together and I hope that this year I find the right way in the world market.
thanks
thanks,and happy new year to you.
Hi Chris `with so many specials for end of year floating around it becomes confusing trying to make a decision.So i decided to knock them all on the head and go with yours.I have been on your mailintg list a while now and you come across as being honest and no B/S.Will keep in touch and let you know of my progress.
Yours Sincerely
David
I like your comments but it seems very difficult to continue when you keep on loosing. But for now I’ll keep on trying.
Hi Chris… May you also have a Happy & prosperious New Year!
Cheers Chris,
I would like to wish you and your Family a healthy and prosperous 2013. You sure are living the dream!!! A life of FREEDOM. To me that’s more important than the money Forex can bring. To be within touching distance of your proffession ( Laptop) and like you mention no commutes through traffic is what surely most people can only dream of. But to me that dream will one day be a reality – it has to be!!! Phil Preston
Good advice Chris,
The best of 2013 to you.
Regards,
Richard
Got your advise thanks.
Hi Chris,
Thank you so much for your wisdom.
You literally paint pictures with words.
Sadly, one of the pictures you painted with your words is me!
Yet, 2013 is my Trading breakthrough year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
God bless you richly for all the help to aspiring traders like me and others!
Hi Chris. Thanks for your words of encouragement. How true your words are. I lost my wife 4 years ago last July to lung cancer and I took up studying forex trading in January of 2009 as a means of coping with my loss. I have yet to go live with my trading ( only paper trading).
I don’t want to risk my hard earned money until I reach a point where I am consistently showing a profit. You are right. It has been very hard and frustrating and though I have felt like giving up I am determined to stay with it as long as it takes to become consistently profitable.
I am looking forward to any new material you may come out with and to learning as much as I can.
Thanks for your efforts to help those of us who are still stuggling with our forex education.
Sincerely,
Darrell Gentry
Hi Chris,
Thanks for your message and New Year’s wishes. When I first started trading about two years ago, not knowing anything about it, I increased my account by 50 % in the first three months. Then I started to absorb a lot of advice and knowledge and, as a result, blew my account. Since then I have learned more and more about trading resulting in ever increasing losses. I made the common mistake of going off into too many different directions, losing the plot, so to speak. Now I’m treading water. I came across some of your brief lessons before and found them helpful, also had a brief correspondence with you before. Am really looking forward to your signals and advice. All the best for the New Year, Max
Chris, Thanks for the words of incurregment I can relate to every thing you said.
I have been learning an trying to trade the forex market now for 5 years.
I think I might have a system now that I can understand an trust, It has been a long time coming. i have tryed all most every trading system out there, most are junk, a lot of waisted time in trying them out. But that was the proccess I took. I do for what ever the reason feel I’m on the right track now.
Thanks again for the incurragement ?? Rob
For some, quitting is not an option.
And for those, there’s probably no enjoyment.
It’s an endeavor you will probably only enjoy when you succeed.
I congratulate you on your enjoyment.
Thank you for the view of what it looks like to succeed.
Well done!
have a great new year and a i look forward to your new content for 2013
stay well
tino rumac
Thanks Chris………….I promised myself not to quit….never…….I believe I will find the way, the correct way someday………. Happy New Year 2013……….
thanks for what I would call a nice New Years message will be joining your beta testing group in the new year
Thanks for the mental boost Chris.I have been at it for 2 and a half years now ,mainly relying on signal services or automatic trading services,all of which have either been a disaster or just did not perform.Not much capital left now,but still willing to grow slowly if I can just find the one system that will work for me.I have a problem remembering details when I need them, I have huge amounts of info saved,contacts galore,countless methods d/loaded, memberships to a few educational courses & groups etc etc,but still avoiding taking the plunge to trade by myself??Little things like the confusion around the terms used to execute trading orders eg “buy stop” why not just “buy order”,why the “stop” & the same for the other orders.Never too sure what to use & the explanations given so far just do not seem to clarify it in my head.
I am looking f/ward to getting your instructions,which will make me bite the bullet,as well as using the tools I have paid for and never used.
Thanks for being there,and I hope I can finally get a move on upward,
cheers, and all the best for 2013 to you , your family and your team.
Hi Chris, true words ! keep up the good work and happy new year.
Hello Lee
Very Happy New Year 2013.I always gets new hints trading wisdom from your thoughts.Thanks. I wish you a great success in years to come.Keep it up sir.
Hi Chris,
I totally agree with what you are saying.
You definitely deserved the results you are getting from your hard work 🙂
Zack
Thanks.
Your end of year message really encourages newbies like myself struggling with our trades to stay on.
‘Will join you up there after paying our dues!
Regards
Eniola – Lados
Thanks.
Your end of year message really encourages newbies like myself struggling with our trades to stay on.
‘Will join you up there after paying our dues!
Regards
Eniola – Lagos
Hey Chris,
Thanks for the words of encouragement and advice to start the New Year off on a positive note.
Thanks Chris! I appreciate your wisdom and encouragement. Let’s have a great year!
Chris Lee, Blessings,Inspirations and Support that you share with each and everyone for the New Year 2013 will be recipicated 10 fold to you
Chris,
Very practical message, and will be well understood by those who have gone thru the mill in a similiar manner. Best regards
Peter M.
Thank you for your sharing. Boy!, that’s sounds like me. I’m glad i’m not alone. Thank you and have a great year and many more years to come.
wison.
Hi Chris, I have enjoyed your “picks” and am looking forward to another great year. You are right in saying after the hard work it just gets better. Simple but not easy. Burning your trading account appears to be a necessity before you see the light. I hope the coming year treats you well.
Trevor.
Hi there Chris,
I always find your e-mails thought provoking and an insightful read. Wishing you A merry Christmas and A Happy and prosperous New Year.
Aslam
Hi Chris, thanks for your words. I can’t agree more. I have been in this “learning” process for about 2 years and still struggling to get almost everything right, even knowing that is impossible(100% right???) but I get there.
As you said the main thing is not to quit when things get wrong. Actually that is the easy way but I have tattooed in my brain: “Never give up, never surrender.” so the market has to put up with me.. 🙂
Again thanks for your words and I wish to you and all a health and wealth New Year.
All the best,
Marcio Muniz
thanks Chris,happy new year and wish you and your family a healthy prosperous 2013
A motivating and an inspiring write up. Persistence and determination to succeed are the tools for successful Forex Trading. Most importantly, one must improve himself/herself continuously. Thank you .
Hi Chris,
I wish you a great new year and I thank you for your words of encouragement wich are welcome.
Best regards and a happy new year.
Sincerely,
Gonzalo
Thanks for all the advice and encouragement you give us over the year .And may God bless you this new year. Colin C.
Thanks for such a great message.You are a great treader at the same time you are a great motivational writer.
Such true words, I have spent $40,000 on training and training material a further $40,000 trying to make it and all the time thinking but what can be going wrong I am doing that that I have been taught and 3 months ago I was just about to throw the towel in after 3 years of going for it. I cant state here what made me per-sue my dream but what I can say is that I took all my indicators and everything else off the charts and started a fresh.
I now use one indicator and 2/3 time frames and receive a minimum of 40 pips a day for my trouble, oh one more thing it is a idea to find out when the action occurs in your country and aim for those times of day that are busy in your location, keep smiling and if your determined enough you will find your way : )
Hi Chris! Just wanna say thank you for what you put out there. Its unfortunate that i have blowout my account before you start tree planting.
Although i follow the tree planting on DEMO and it was marvelous.I look forward to join your tree planting when i get back live trading.
Happy year 2013!
My best wishes for a happy new year!
You post gives me assurance that my determination will eventually payoff.
Kong Hee Huat Chai Chris ! Thank you very much for sharing ! I wish everyone here be very successful in their forex tradings ahead.
hi chris,
you have said it all.NEVER quit. nice one.
baba
Thank you chris li for the word of encouragement because, i am also a victim of so many loses. but chris i will like to suscribe to your forex analysis so what can you do for me? Thanks and GOD bless you
Hello Chris,
thank you for your encouraging words. I`ll never give up,surely.But I`ve been playing in the “sandbox” (demo account) for about 7 years now, always fearing to lose more money I can stand. So I try many methods again and again.Your candlestick report was a real help to understand the moves of the market. But I know, there is something more I need to understand for becoming successful.
Have a happy New Year and all the best for you
Yours
Gila from Germany
Hi Chris
2012 was the year of crawling for me. I stood up and fell many times but if it wasn’t for that, I would not have been able to start walking today. My goal for 2013 is to learn to walk properly and to train to run. I did not realize how large Forex is when I started out, but I have made my choice and will not drop out. I will succeed but my first goal is to walk smoothly with no falls. That means that I will have to look where I am going and where I put my foot into. Have a great year and that goes to all the members in your group. Cheers.
It is a wise words to start the year 2013!
where can get the accurate n quicker news for the market. or any forex forum can be join? Anyone use robot, what is the best that u have experience…
Thank.. Happy new year 2013 for everyone..
regards.
dear criss,
thanks for your lessons i realy like your very different methods of encouragement e.g. controle of imotions, to earn money is not to keep our motto, all these lessons teach us a perfect path to proceed in forex trading
i wish you again happy healthy and long life.
jayprakash
Very nice article keep it up o
what are sign of a losing trader becomes profitable ?
Easy! He starts making money over time 🙂