Can You Define a Successful Trade?

[ramonramirez]

This single question seems to be at the heart of both success and failure as a trader.

I'm curious as to what others use as their measuring rod for success. Is it accuracy, net ROI per trade, a positive MFE/MAE ratio, not getting stopped out, leaving a certain % of pips on the table in each position held, etc. etc., etc. How do you define it?

When you look in the mirror in the morning and say to yourself: 'You know something, you are a successful trader," what does that mean exactly?

Define: Successful Trader.

[henryduncan12]

For me successful trade is "net ROI per trade". I don't think that I am a successful trader but on the part to become successful trader.

[taohai]

a successful trader is the one who can have a positive return in a defined time range, it require strong minds and enough experiences.

[Raleigh Lee]

A successful trade is one that is executed properly and professionally. It doesn't matter if it wins or loses, as long as the entry and exit were executed according to your plan (as well as the management during the holding period).

If you are consistently executing properly and professionally but losing, then you need to address the parameters of your plan. In the meantime, it is execution that matters - not winning and losing.

The most important aspect of your plan is position sizing; it will make or break you. Proper position sizing will enable you to hang in there until you become a "successful trader."

[GTOptions]

Successful traders are those who do not let their emotions, their anger, or aggravations get in the way of trading. Newbies simply talk about the fabled beast, and proceed with revenge trading. The greatest teacher amongst all is Experience. Binary Options

[reynuevo]

A successful trade is one that is executed properly and professionally. It doesn't matter if it wins or loses, as long as the entry and exit were executed according to your plan (as well as the management during the holding period).

If you are consistently executing properly and professionally but losing, then you need to address the parameters of your plan. In the meantime, it is execution that matters - not winning and losing.

The most important aspect of your plan is position sizing; it will make or break you. Proper position sizing will enable you to hang in there until you become a "successful trader."

Yes I agree with you about that..

[neillbruce]

Hey ramonramirez,

A successful trader is one who can reach his target he sets for himself every day. It may be $1000 a day or if you are just starting out a realistic target may be $20 or $40 a day, but in the end its all about risk management. Never risk more than 3% - 4% of your account.

[UncleBen]

a successful trader is the one who can have a positive return in a defined time range, it require strong minds and enough experiences.

A successful trader knows there will be bad times and drawdowns, they aren't positive in all ranges of time. They accept this, and don't let a loss cause them to break their own trading plan and rules.

[howtowin]

I can say A successful trader can earn a lot of money with his job, trading. He may lose but for a long time, he gets a big profit. maybe a thousand a month.

[theDoctor12]

a successful trader is the one who can have a positive return in a defined time range

Agree! If income > costs, that's success! If it lasts long enough, that's a big success.))

[noynoy]

a successful trader is some one who can maintain a positive income monthly in span of time around 2 years, man thats a good trader. and do not forget, break even is not losing, and its a positive thing in this world where 90% of traders fail

[theDoctor12]

noynoy, what do you think, is that successful professional, who trade with income, but has full time job, or that will be just an amateur?

[candle7779]

To my mind successful trader is the collective person who has enough experience, skills, and of course profitable trading for a long period of time not casually.

[Arief Makmur]

If those traders can be living from his/her profit from trading (can cover monthly cost) and at least he/she already do that for a 2 years, I thing that trader is a successful .

[jamesDee]

as for me successful trade is the one where you can get your profit not from time to time but on the some regular ground. cause it prooves that you have profit not because of your luck but because of your experience and knowledge