Many friends who want to improve their lives through trading share a common problem — it's not losing to the market, but losing to themselves.

I’ve been down this road myself. At that time, my biggest issues were twofold: acting too quickly and being too greedy. I would jump in at the slightest movement, only to watch the market continue to dip after I bought in. Or I’d finally make some profit, but insist on holding until the last candle before selling, only to turn around and realize a loss. Over the years, many nights have been spent reviewing and analyzing, and I’ve developed a set of survival strategies based on real money and real lessons.

**First Rule: Don’t be the first to try to catch the wave**

I see too many people rushing in at the sight of a bullish candle, catching the bottom halfway up the mountain. My current standard is simple — three consecutive high-volume bullish candles constitute a valid signal. If that condition isn’t met, I keep waiting. Does this mean missing out on some opportunities? Yes, it does. But you know what? Losing money by jumping the gun is far more painful than the regret of missing an opportunity. Missing out just means you didn’t make money; jumping early can directly cost you your principal.

**Second Rule: Take profits and don’t fall in love with your trades**

After a two or three-day rally, I always lock in some profits first. This is my ironclad rule. Some people always want to sell at the peak, but that’s exactly how profits turn into losses. My approach is to take half off once gains exceed 30%. That way, even if there’s a pullback later, I won’t feel the pain. Locking in profits sounds conservative, but the real gains are in the account — the numbers on the paper will eventually return to zero if not protected.

**Third Rule: Be cautious of large single-day gains**

When a coin’s single-day increase exceeds 6%, I usually don’t take action the next day. Usually, a reversal follows such a surge, and those rushing to chase are often the ones left holding the bag.

In essence, the core of this method is one word — **wait**. Wait for the real opportunity, wait for a reasonable price, wait for a safe exit point. Patience isn’t passivity; it’s the most proactive trading philosophy.