Good morning, traders…

There’s a common misconception that once you “make it” as a trader, there’s nothing left to learn. 

But that’s a myth. 

Even after 22 years of trading, I don’t have all the answers.

And that’s a good thing.

Ask anyone who’s a master in their field. They’ll tell you the same thing:

They never stop learning. 

Don’t believe me? Look at Tim Sykes. 

He’s made $7.9 million in verified trading profits. But he knows there’s more to learn. That’s why he’s been paper trading for the past month — opening himself up to new ideas, stress-testing strategies, and trying out different patterns. 

Or Tim Bohen. 

He’s a true veteran trader, the lead trainer at StocksToTrade. But just like Sykes, he’s always searching for fresh ways to improve his performance…

And he just found one:

Or even the great Warren Buffett. At 95 years old, he still reads every day, pores over 10-Ks, and endlessly searches for investment opportunities. 

That’s why I try to approach trading the same way I did when I was a day-one newbie: slow, steady, simple.

That mindset has helped me grow my account year after year.

But there’s something I love even more than trading. Teaching.

I learn just as much from you as you learn from me.

Being surrounded by a community of like-minded students, from total beginners to experienced market participants, gives me a perspective that most traders can only dream of. 

That’s why I’m so thankful for our Smart Money Trading Community.

I get to see how different people think about the market, interpret setups, and manage risk. 

And after studying thousands of aspiring traders, I’m trying to answer a simple question that could simplify the journey for everyone:

What do all great traders have in common?

The 5 Traits That Make Traders Great

When I look at my best students, the ones who have gone from struggling traders to crushing the market, there’s a common thread.

It’s not about what they knew when they started. 

It’s not about their background, education, or how much money they have in their account.

The best traders share five key traits:

They’re Obsessed with Learning

Like Warren Buffett, you have to truly love the markets to succeed in them. 

When I first started trading, I soaked up everything I could like a sponge. My best students do the same. 

They’re hungry for knowledge. They don’t passively consume information. 

They track their trades. They evaluate their performance. They ask questions.

If you approach trading with that level of dedication, you’re already ahead of 90% of traders out there.

They’re Patient

Trading is a marathon, not a sprint. 

The students who succeed are the ones who don’t try to force trades every day just to feel productive. 

Instead, they wait for the right setups. 

They understand that one great trade is better than ten mediocre ones.

They don’t panic when a trade takes time to develop. 

They don’t chase. They don’t overtrade.

They’re patient because they know that quality beats quantity every time.

Next time you’re considering a trade that doesn’t check your boxes, stop. 

Ask yourself: Do you want to trade …. Or need to trade?

They Prioritize Risk Over Reward

A great student isn’t just focused on making money. They’re obsessed with protecting it.

They understand that risk management isn’t just a suggestion — it’s the foundation of long-term success.

They cut losses quickly. They size their trades appropriately. They don’t let emotions dictate their decisions.

They recognize that every trader takes losses. What matters is keeping those losses small so the wins can do the heavy lifting.

They’re Disciplined

Discipline separates the long-term winners from the short-term losers. 

The best students don’t just talk about their strategy — they stick to it.

They don’t deviate from their trading plan because of FOMO. They don’t let a few bad trades shake their confidence. 

They trust their process and follow through, even when things don’t go their way.

They show up. They do the work. And over time, that discipline turns into consistency.

They Engage with the Community

In a community like ours, one of the biggest advantages you have is team trading.

My best students don’t trade in isolation. They’re active in the community, sharing insights, discussing setups, and learning from each other.

They understand that multiple perspectives can help them refine their own trading.

Profitable trading is hard enough — why do it alone when you can learn alongside a group of like-minded traders all trying to improve together?

The Most Important Lesson of All

If I could leave you with one thing, it would be this: Trading is a process.

You won’t get rich overnight. And you don’t have to be right all the time. 

You just have to make consistently smart decisions … day after day, trade after trade.

My best students don’t get discouraged by losses because they know they’re learning.

They know that if they show up every day, follow their plan, and stay disciplined, the results will come.

Watching my students evolve into winning traders? That’s better than any winning trade I could ever make.

I love trading. But I love teaching even more. 

And if you’re willing to put in the work, I’m here to help you every step of the way.

Let’s keep learning and growing together,

Ben Sturgill

*Past performance does not indicate future results