Good morning, traders…
Hop in a time machine with me, back to the year 2002…
I was sitting in a tiny home office, still in my basketball warmup gear, staring at a blinking quote screen like it held the secrets of the universe.
I had two monitors, a pile of sticky notes with ticker symbols scribbled on them, and more confidence than I had any right to.
I also had a vision in my head of how my first day of live trading would go…
Spoiler Alert: It didn’t go as planned.
I made my first trade by 9:50 a.m. It was a biotech stock I’d read about in a forum. Somebody said it was “about to pop.”
I didn’t really know what I was looking at, but I figured if I got in quick and sold fast, I’d make a few bucks and be on my way.
An hour later, the stock had dropped 15%. I held. Then 20%. I held. By the time I finally sold, I’d taken a loss that felt bigger than it actually was.
It wasn’t just money I lost. It was a piece of that new-trader optimism.
But with challenge comes growth. That loss taught me a crucial lesson: that I had a lot more to learn.
By dealing with these hurdles throughout my career, I’ve learned critical trading lessons that changed my life forever.
Still, I would’ve saved a lot of time, money, and stress if someone had pulled me aside on my first day in the markets and forced me to internalize these rules.
That’s why I want to pass these secrets down to you, so you can avoid the mistakes I made early on.
With that in mind, let me share ten indispensable “Pro Tips” I wish I knew when I first started trading…
1. Start with the Basics (and Master Them)
Options can seem pretty complicated at first. It’s like learning a new language.
But don’t get overwhelmed. I’m here to help.
Before you jump into any exotic strategies (which, honestly, you may never need to trade)…
Make sure you understand the basics (calls, puts, strike prices, expiration dates, implied volatility, etc.)
For an options trader, understanding these concepts is as important as knowing the ABCs is for a writer.
Out of all the individuals doing various jobs, tasks, and hobbies worldwide, only a tiny portion of them will become true masters at their craft.
And I want you to be part of the small minority that does.
2. Respect the Risk
Options can be a great way to make money, but they can also make you lose money … quickly.
Remember that with great potential reward comes great risk…
I’ve watched so many traders come and go because they couldn’t handle their risk management.
But if you’re disciplined and stick to your rules, it’s not that hard to manage your risk.
Here’s what to do: Never break your rules, size your positions carefully, and always be prepared for the unexpected.
3. Harness Your Patience and Perseverance
I’ve seen traders get antsy, chase trades, and blow up their accounts. Don’t be like these guys.
Be patient. Trade like a surfer waiting for the perfect swell.
Watching and waiting might not be as exciting as placing a trade, but doing so can save you from unnecessary losses and opportunity costs.
The best trades are the ones you never make.
You need to harness the perseverance that 99% of people don’t have within themselves.
4. Be a News Junkie
Markets change. News events happen every day, massively influencing stock prices in the process.
If you don’t stay on top of these catalysts, you’re trading with blinders on.
To be a great trader, you need to be a news junkie. Read financial news, follow economic data, and track geopolitical events to help you identify trends.
Think of it like this: Would a boat captain head into an unknown ocean without checking the weather before he heads out?
Treat your trading similarly. You want to be prepared for anything the market throws at you.
5. Learn from Your Mistakes (But Don’t Dwell on Them)
Everyone makes mistakes, even veteran traders like me.
However, all the great traders I know identify and learn from their mistakes.
Instead of feeling down, ask yourself: “What can I learn from this loss?”
Don’t let one bad trade stop you from making ten good ones.
The worst thing you can do is allow a single loss to shatter your confidence.
To Be Continued…
Tomorrow, I’ll share five more tips I wish I could give my younger self.
Until then, let me ask: What does “day trading” mean to you?
Extreme stress? Complicated strategies? Degenerate gambling?
What if you could day trade successfully without any advanced indicators?
Well, now you can, thanks to a unique strategy that’s designed to give you the MOST bang for your buck … with the LEAST amount of time, money, and stress.
You don’t need a fancy setup.
You don’t need a bunch of “algos” and “indicators.”
You don’t need to spend all day watching charts.
And you don’t need a lot of money.
All you need is a working phone, internet connection, and a trading account…
And you could begin targeting gains up to 20%… 39%… 100%… 148%… 200%… and even 300%…*
Join Aaron Hunziker TODAY, June 5 at 2:00 p.m. EST to see what this brand-new strategy is all about.
Happy trading,
Ben Sturgill
*Past performance does not indicate future results
