📊 How Do I Know My Strategy Works?
"The market doesn’t pay you to trade. It pays you to be right — repeatedly."
💼 The Wall Street Trader’s Problem
There’s nothing worse than sticking to a strategy for months — only to feel like you’re going in circles.
You watch YouTube breakdowns, read every book you can, and still wonder:
“Is this strategy even working?”
I remember journaling trades for six months straight. Wins. Losses. Break-evens. Then one night, I asked myself — am I improving, or just repeating?
📌 The Signs of a Working Strategy
If you're stuck wondering whether your system works, look for these 5 signs:
- 1. You Know Exactly What You’re Looking For
You’re not just reacting. You know your entry triggers, confirmation rules, and when to walk away. - 2. You Can Explain It to a 12-Year-Old
If you can’t explain your edge in one paragraph, you’re still confused. - 3. You’re Executing — Not Tweaking
A solid strategy doesn’t need to be changed weekly. Your focus shifts to refining execution, not rewriting the plan. - 4. You Have Data — Not Just Hope
You've journaled 50+ trades with screenshots and notes. You’ve seen what works in live markets, not just demo hype. - 5. You’re Emotionally Bored — Not Addicted
When the strategy works, the drama fades. You're not chasing highs. You're executing discipline.
🧠But What If It’s Not Working?
If your strategy isn’t giving consistent feedback, it’s not ready. Most traders don’t fail because they chose the wrong method. They fail because they quit just before the data makes sense.
Here’s what to do:
- Backtest again — but with stricter criteria.
- Trade fewer pairs with higher quality setups.
- Go deeper, not wider. Focus on one strategy for 90 days before judging it.
📈 The 30-Day Rule: Prove It to Yourself
If you're unsure, give your strategy one clear month of disciplined execution:
- Pick one setup.
- Define your entry, stop loss, and TP clearly.
- Journal every trade (screenshot, emotions, mistake).
At the end of 30 days, you’ll have one of two things:
📉 A system that doesn’t work (so you can adjust).
📈 Or a system that just needed your belief and consistency.
💬 Final Word: A Strategy That Works Feels Boring
"Success in trading feels like watching paint dry — if you're doing it right."
If you're still guessing, you're not trading a strategy. You're gambling on vibes.
Clarity comes from repetition. Mastery comes from proof.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- A working strategy is boring, repeatable, and journaled.
- You should know your entry, exit, and risk before every trade.
- Data beats emotion. Execute for 30 days before tweaking.
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