In futures trading, the core of making a profit is the consistent execution of a trading system with a positive expected return.

What is a positive expected return?

It means that your core trading logic must satisfy the principle of "cut losses short and let profits run." Any trading system that meets this goal is viable.

Cutting losses short refers to the stop-loss rule, and letting profits run refers to the take-profit rule. Combined, they form your exit strategy, so the correctness of your trading logic is determined by your exits.

The entry is the beginning of a trial and error process because the trend is uncertain, and anything can happen after entry.

Since it's a trial and error, I suggest trying out some efficient patterns. What are efficient patterns? They are patterns that, while not guaranteeing a trend, will always precede a trend if one occurs. For example, the start of a trend will always involve a breakout of previous highs or lows. So, a breakout entry is a good way to test the waters, along with other methods like moving averages.

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If your entries are based on these efficient patterns, I believe there is no hierarchy, because market trends are uncertain. Breakout entries can have false signals, and moving averages can also have entanglements.

If you want to become a successful trader, you must perceive the truth of trading, to see through the fog of uncertainty and the long-standing presence of various erroneous theories.

Most people have been immersed in the illusions and confusion of their entire trading careers, thinking that the market can be predicted, trying to find patterns, trying to find the Holy Grail of trading to once and for all conquer the market, and as a result, they have wasted too many years of their youth.

Here are some characteristics of successful traders for your reference.1. The ability to focus

They focus on uncovering the inherent weaknesses of human nature, on the process of discovering the truth, and on the transaction itself, ignoring most of the meaningless information.

2. The ability to think independently

One must think independently to carve out their own path, which is different from the majority, suitable for one's own risk preferences and personality traits. Only then can you slowly ascend to the pinnacle of trading.

3. Simplicity and purity

The best way to deal with a chaotic market is simplicity. The same trend is seen differently by different people. If you complicate, the market becomes complex; if you simplify, the market becomes simple. Pure individuals believe the market is simpler; they are only concerned with the essence of things.

4. Avoiding repeated mistakes

A successful trader must be willing to admit mistakes and have the ability to correct them. Understanding the objective criteria for admitting errors and the timeliness of correcting them is crucial to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

5. Patience

Patient individuals are more likely to find the true essence of trading because their way of thinking is calm. They are adept at refining their trading experiences, thereby sublimating them into their own trading philosophy, truly achieving the unity of knowledge and action.6. Perseverance

Competition in trading is not about who makes more money in the short term, but about who endures the longest. Without perseverance, it is impossible to persist; resilience is also a trait of successful individuals. Otherwise, even if one's past was as glorious and splendid as can be, it would be knocked down and eliminated by the chaotic market.

Many things, many principles, can be understood over time through trading, but society is a race to see who understands first. Understanding early and late leads to different destinies.