A $14 principal turning into $435—honestly, I never thought I could achieve this. I used to be a novice in the stock market, not even understanding basic concepts, always chasing highs and getting trapped, entering trades like a bagholder. But this past week, leverage trading gave me a taste of rapid growth, and I truly started to believe I was a trading genius. It wasn't until today, when I got liquidated, that I realized: I am just a tiny speck in the market’s torrent.

Out of 30 trades, I only made 5 mistakes, so my win rate looks quite good. But on the 31st trade, I didn’t set a stop-loss; I blindly trusted my judgment. When the market moved against me, I kept adding to my position, and in the end, my account was wiped out. Although the initial capital was only $14, the unrealized profit of $435 vanished instantly, which is quite regretful. But this lesson was deeply learned.

The essence of this game is simple: misjudgments must be corrected, and stop-losses should be used to settle mistakes. Never let emotions take over. Here are some key insights I’ve gained:

First, **setting a stop-loss is a must**. This is not a suggestion; it’s an iron law.

Second, when the larger cycle isn’t clear, don’t rush into action. Trading volume is too small, and the trend progresses slowly. Instead of frequent trades, wait for the larger cycle to clearly establish a direction. Position sizing should be gradual; don’t go all-in at once.

Furthermore, staying calm when the larger cycle hasn’t broken is crucial. Let the smaller cycles test highs or lows repeatedly, confirm signals, then add to your position. This greatly increases the success rate.

Finally, mastering the art of stop-loss and take-profit is essential. Stop-loss points should reference support and resistance levels on the larger cycle. Take-profit depends on your mindset—risk-averse traders use small cycles to protect capital, while bold traders pursue higher profits on the larger cycle. But no matter what, **patience on the larger cycle is a must**; don’t be scared off by short-term fluctuations.

This week’s experience has taught me what “consistent profitability” really means. I hope these hard lessons can serve as a reminder to everyone.