Practical trading isn't just another "magic course," but rather a calm, mental process of figuring out a few simple things: how you make decisions, how you react to losses, and how you learn from your mistakes. And that's exactly what this article is about—especially for beginners.
1. Why so many beginners go around in circles
Most people start out on the same path:
YouTube → a few groups on FB/Discord → a few "tips" from others → first trades out of emotion → a mix of random gains and big losses.
The problem is that:
instead of learning the process, you learn individual tricks,
instead of building habits, you build an addiction to adrenaline and FOMO,
Instead of having a plan, you catch “opportunities.”.
Research on investor behavior says it plainly: most traders lose not because they have a bad strategy, but because they have poor habits, act on emotions, and take too many trades.
2. The three biggest traps that almost every newbie falls into
Overconfidence after a few wins
Research on overconfidence shows that when investors succeed several times in a row, they begin to:
trade more often,
increase position size,
stick to the rules less.
Their brain sells them a story: "Now you can do it," "You've got the knack." The problem is, it was often just a series of random results, not a lasting advantage.
In practice:
After 3-4 profitable trades in a row, you should see a red light, not a green one.
This is the moment to take a step back, reduce flights, not accelerate.
Selling profits too soon, holding losses too long
The disposition effect states that most investors:
"runs away" from profitable positions to "secure profit",
holds losing positions because he doesn't want to "realize the loss.".
So: logic says "cut the loss, let the profits run," but psychology does the exact opposite.
In practice:
Set your stop loss and take profit in advance – before you enter a trade.
Don't move the SL further away from the price just to "give the market a chance.".
Record in your journal any instances where:
you closed the profit "too quickly",
you held on to the loss "too long" - and count how much it cost you.
FOMO – catching “rocket” because “everyone is making money”
FOMO (fear of missing out) is one of the most expensive psychological “advisors.”.
Research on crowd behavior in markets shows that people often buy where the hype is greatest – near the top.
In practice:
If your main “argument” for entering is: “everyone is talking about it” – it is not a setup, it is a warning signal.
Add a question to your checklist: “If no one were writing about this online, would I still get into it?”.
If the answer is "no" - let it go.
3. What does “practical trading education” mean for a beginner?
The point is not to know 20 candlestick patterns by heart.
The point is that you:
he had a simple plan,
knew his numbers (risk, SL, position size),
build habits that protect you.
Research shows that increased financial knowledge and awareness of one's own mistakes actually reduce the influence of emotions on investment decisions. But this knowledge must be implemented – not just read.
4. Journal – Your mirror, not just a “nice addition”
Without a journal, it is very easy to tell yourself:
"I was unlucky",
"the market is stubborn",
"Normally this would work.".
Meanwhile, when you write everything down, you see it in black and white:
what days do you trade the worst,
what do you do after a series of wins,
how you react after a major loss.
A simple journal might look like this:
For every transaction:
Why am I coming in? (specific signal, not "I feel like...")
Where is my SL and TP?
How do I feel before entering? (calm, stressed, angry after a previous loss)
Is this consistent with my plan? YES/NO.
After closing the transaction:
Did I stick to the plan?
What went well?
What would I do differently if I could turn back time?
After a week of such work you have more practical education than after watching 50 YouTube videos.
5. Checklist – a small thing that saved many accounts
Professional traders use checklists not because they are “green,” but because they know how easily the brain makes mental shortcuts, especially under pressure.
Sample checklist for a newbie before entering:
Is this a signal from my strategy or "because it looks nice"?
Do I know the maximum loss in PLN/% if the SL is broken?
Is the SL set at a logical level or by eye?
Am I getting back at you for the previous trade?
Am I not going in just because I see it everywhere on social media?
If even one question stings your eyes, close the platform and take a break.
6. Frames and numbers – a bit “boring”, but they save your psyche
Newbies want fireworks. Professionals want to survive and grow.
Here are some numbers that are worth having written down:
Max risk per trade: e.g. 1–2% of capital.
Maximum number of transactions per day: e.g. 3–5, to avoid overtrading.
Daily loss limit: e.g. -4/-5%, after which you end the day and do not "bounce back".
These are simple things, but research clearly shows that limiting your field of action reduces the impact of emotions and cognitive biases.
7. How to Study Smarter, Not More
Practical trading training for beginners is not:
watching 100 movies,
cramming dozens of indicators.
It's rather:
1–2 reasonable sources of knowledge,
a small, repeatable process every day,
reflection on one's own decisions.
Research shows that regular, conscious work on your own behavior (and not just consuming knowledge) really improves the quality of investment decisions.
8. What You Can Do Tomorrow – Human-Friendly Version
If you want to really get going, try this simple plan for the next month:
Day 1–7:
create a journal (paper/Excel/Notion),
enter each transaction + emotions + assessment of whether you stuck to the plan.
Day 8–14:
add a checklist before entering,
After a week, check how many times you did NOT use it.
Day 15–30:
enter fixed limits: risk per trade, loss limit, maximum number of positions per day,
Once a week, do a 20–30-minute summary – conclusions for the next week.
This is what practical education is all about: steady, repetitive work that changes how you trade step by step – not a promise of “100% in a month.”.
This isn't about lumping all groups and YouTube together as "garbage." There are weak spots—we know that. But there are also truly strong teams, dedicated traders, and educators who do great work and teach solid strategies.
Strategies are also important – only from the right people
Psychology, journaling, and risk management are the foundation. But strategy is also important. You need:
specific setups,
clear entry/exit rules,
understanding why something works, not just "buy here, sell there.".
And here is the key:
Strategy should be taught by people who actually work in the market, test their approaches, and show mistakes and bad times, not just "slices of success." Such people exist on YouTube and Discord—you just have to look a little.
A good group makes a difference
A bad place makes you a "signal catcher.".
A good place teaches you to think like a trader, not blindly copy.
That's why I can wholeheartedly recommend Kuba Stasiak's CST group.
This is not an advertisement "because they pay me", but a form of respect and gratitude for how much this place helped me sort out my trading.
What you will find there from my perspective:
people who really know different strategies – from different technical approaches, through different markets, to different trading styles,
real analyses, not just "rocket to heaven",
an approach where strategy goes hand in hand with psychology and risk management, not instead of them.
If you are looking for a place where:
someone will help you understand why something works,
you will see different styles and methodologies,
you can ask a question without feeling like it's "stupid" -
then CST is definitely a community worth checking out.
Personally, I am there not because it is “fashionable”, but because they specifically helped me:
get out of the chaos,
sort out strategies,
and combine it with work on your head.
Not all groups are bad, not all YouTube is fake.
But in a world where anyone can pretend to be an “expert,” it’s worth sticking with those who have been doing their job for years and have real results behind them, and a community that can back it up.
