To succeed in trading, first learn to be a "thief."

This phrase sounds harsh, but upon reflection, you'll realize that no seasoned expert is without a "thief's aura."
Let me ask you a question: what kind of thief is a master?
A novice says: the one who steals the most.
An old hand says: the one who has never been caught.
No matter how much they steal, one slip-up and it's all wiped out. What's the point? The same applies to trading: how much you earn isn't yours until you can take it away. A good thief isn't measured by how many times they succeed, but by whether they can get away clean. The same goes for trading—lasting longer is a thousand times more important than making huge gains quickly.
Observe what a thief is thinking before they strike. It's not "how much money is inside," but "are there people," "are there surveillance cameras," "where's the escape route." First, understand the risks before considering whether to make a move.
Many traders are the opposite: they see an opportunity and rush in, thinking only about how much they can make, without considering "what if things go wrong." As a result, when the market reverses, they panic, hesitate to cut losses, turning small losses into big ones, big losses into deep traps, and finally comfort themselves with "holding long-term, value investing."
True masters all have a bit of a "thief's aura":
Thief-like patience: never act unless the timing is right.
Thief-like focus: only have eyes for the target, unaffected by noise.
Thief-like decisiveness: if the wind isn't right, immediately retreat—never fight a losing battle.
The market is always open, opportunities are always there, but your account only recognizes one thing: you're still at the table, and money is yours only if you're still in the game.
Before placing your next order, ask yourself: "Am I ready to walk away completely from this trade?"
If you haven't made up your mind, don't move. Your position is your life—don't gamble it on tomorrow.