The Common Struggle Among Traders
When I was first introduced to trading, it was in theory form—studying notes and trying to absorb concepts from textbooks. Eventually, I turned to YouTube videos, which helped me grasp the basics of price action. Armed with this knowledge, I started practicing in real market conditions. The more I practiced, the better I got.
However, there was a major flaw in my approach. I was using someone else’s strategy without fully understanding the why behind it. This lack of depth in understanding led to struggles. For example, I couldn’t determine which Change of Character (CHoCH) was valid, and I found myself constantly chasing price, leading to losses. I kept asking myself, How do I know which CHoCH is the correct one?
The Turning Point: Learning From the Charts
Frustrated with my struggles, I decided to turn directly to the charts for answers. I realized that if I wanted to understand which CHoCH was valid, I had to study price action in real market conditions instead of relying solely on second-hand knowledge.
I started with market structure:
- I identified the trend direction.
- I labeled the highs and lows as I saw them on the charts.
- If the market was in an uptrend, I marked higher highs (HH) and higher lows (HL).
- If price broke and closed below a higher low, I labeled it as a CHoCH and observed what price did afterward.
By consistently analyzing price movements, I eventually refined my ability to distinguish valid CHoCHs from false ones. Because I built this understanding from real market observations, my confidence as a trader grew significantly.
Why Most Traders Struggle
Most traders struggle because they copy other people’s strategies without truly understanding the logic behind them. The why is the most crucial part of any trading strategy, yet many trading educators fail to emphasize it.
When traders apply strategies they don’t fully comprehend, they encounter several problems:
- Inconsistency: Without understanding the strategy’s foundation, traders take random trades and struggle to replicate results.
- Frustration: Losses pile up because they are unsure how to adapt the strategy to changing market conditions.
- Overwhelm: Conflicting trading rules and uncertainty lead to hesitation and second-guessing trade decisions.
A common question among struggling traders is: How do I know which order block to take a position from? The answer lies not in blindly following someone else’s rules but in studying the charts themselves.
The Solution: Let the Charts Guide You
If you truly want to improve as a trader, you must allow the charts to give you the answers. Instead of relying on theories alone, study price movements in real-time and develop a deep understanding of price action.
Here’s how to do it:
- Start with what you already know – Identify market structure, trends, and key price levels.
- Observe price behavior – How does price react around key levels? What happens after a CHoCH or a break of structure (BOS)?
- Refine your strategy – Instead of copying others, tweak your approach based on your own observations and backtesting.
The Path to Mastery
Many traders avoid this approach because it’s the longer route compared to just copying someone else’s strategy. However, it is the only path to true mastery. It requires time, effort, and patience, but the reward is a deep, unshakable understanding of the markets.
If you take the time to learn price action for yourself, trading will no longer feel like guesswork. Instead, you will have a well-founded strategy that you trust—because it’s built on your own knowledge and experience.
Final Thoughts
The key to overcoming trading struggles is to shift from passive learning to active discovery. Study the charts, ask questions, and seek answers through real market conditions. Over time, this approach will help you develop a unique trading style that works for you.
Trading success doesn’t come from blindly following others. It comes from understanding price action at its core.
About the Author
