Have you heard the wise saying that a trader who fails to plan, plans to fail? I have, and I was once that trader! However, did you know that even though traders who have constructed a plan, which incorporates their trading stategy (their “edge”), they have a plan that is likely to fail?

If we look at all traders who participate in the market: we have one group that fails to plan and therefore plans to fail; another group whose plan is failed; and a third group who properly plans and therefore does not fail.

Is it any wonder that the success rate for forex traders is so slim?

Well it doesn’t have to be.

Here’s a list of reasons why those whose plan is destined for failure fail:

1. They become emotionally attached to their ideas about how the market should be with minimal or inadequate testing;

2. They fall in love with their back-tested net profit results without fully understanding other key statistical data;

3. They don’t admit they’re plan is wrong.

Let’s explore each point in a little more detail.

1. Becoming emotionally attached to your ideas without adequate results

Most new traders when they realize the importance of obtaining a trading plan and sticking to that plan immediately begin to use the knowledge they have been taught and haphazardly throw it all together into what they deem their “trading plan”.

When they are questioned on whether they have a trading plan most of these traders answer with an unequivocal “Yes!”.

Most of these traders are destined for failure because their strategy is untested. They rely on blind faith to guide them through the trading jungle to make their untold millions. Would you walk from one length of the Amazon jungle to the other blind-folded? Of course not! You’ll have to watch out for all the snakes, tarantulas, and other creepy things that go bump in the night, so why would you approach trading in the same fashion? I mean all you’re really doing is placing the blind-fold on your capital!