Having been in this market for nearly ten years, from account zero to turning things around, the only major insight I have is—survival is the top priority.

Being able to make it this far is not because I predict everything perfectly, but because I stick to a few seemingly insignificant rules. These rules may sound boring, but they are like safety ropes, ensuring you never fall completely.

**Don't scatter your positions randomly.** When your capital is small, focusing on three or five targets is actually more reassuring than holding twenty. Concentration helps you see clearly; diversification only causes anxiety. True risk control is not about spreading out, but about not losing control.

**When the market rises, strike hard; when the market weakens, reduce your positions quickly.** This is not greed; it’s about following the market’s rhythm. When the trend is still upward, be bold; when the defensive line is breached, turning around is more important than hesitating.

**Only follow the trend, don’t try to guess reversals.** I’ve seen too many people get wiped out by saying, "I think it’s going to rebound." Rebounds are often traps; real opportunities are hidden in the pitfalls during declines. Every pullback in an uptrend is a genuine chance to get in. The market is always right; those who oppose it end up paying tuition.

**Volatility without volume is just noise.** Volume is the footprint of funds. Without real money entering the market, even the most beautiful candlestick patterns are unreliable. Wait until emotions and capital resonate before acting; otherwise, stay on the sidelines. You’ll find that most of the market time is sideways, so patience is better than participation.

**Stop-loss should be as natural as breathing.** Before entering a trade, decide how much you can lose at most. When you reach that point, cut immediately—don’t haggle with yourself. When in profit, loosen up a bit to let gains run; but when losing, cut decisively. I’ve seen too many people lose everything because they couldn’t bear to lose a few percentage points.

**Exiting requires more decisiveness than entering.** Hesitating when you see an opportunity means missing out; hesitating when risk is present is asking for trouble. React immediately when risk appears.

**Ask yourself one question before adding to a position: If I am currently flat, would I buy this?** If the answer is "No," don’t try to fix previous mistakes with more buying. This is the easiest way to deceive yourself.

**Don’t tinker too much in short cycles.** Making ten trades a day wears down your mindset and your capital. The traders who truly make a difference are those who can hold onto a big trend for a while, not those chasing every rise and fall daily.

**Bottom-fishing is the graveyard of the smart.** A big decline doesn’t mean safety. Most stories of margin calls start with "I think the bottom is close." The bottom is discovered after it’s already formed; it’s not something you can guess in advance.

These things may seem basic, but they are not about how much you earn—they’re about how you survive. When you prioritize "not losing" over "making quick gains," you’ll find the market gradually becomes more gentle toward you.