The Psychology of Forex Trading

If you are looking for the key to forex trading success, then it’s time to explore the complexities of forex trading psychology. Only by understanding the psychology of forex trading one can become a successful trader who can build a fortune over time.

Though many people associate psychology with clinical settings and hypnotic conditioning, the truth is that we all deal with psychological phenomena on a daily basis. It’s our emotions, feelings, behaviours, thoughts, and aspirations!

Therefore, although forex trading is not a scientific field, traders should understand the secrets of forex trading psychology and their own attitudes towards trading. Knowing the inner forces in forex trading is as important as studying analysis data, announcements, and forex trading indicators!

An in-depth understanding of the psychology of forex trading is crucial to help traders realise their full potential. We at Trading Education are here to help you embark on this amazing journey. Simply sign up for our trading course, find a reputable broker, and become the Fraud of the financial world!

The Importance of Forex Trading Psychology

Though the term forex trading psychology might seem too broad to beginners, it’s one of the main areas in forex that investors should explore. Investing time in forex trading psychology is, in fact, more important than learning the basics of forex trading!

As trading forex is a constantly changing financial endeavor, traders should learn to accept all the ups and downs of forex trading. When a trader understands that losing and winning are two sides of the same coin, only then they’ll be able to measure their success - not in money but in consistency and self-discipline.

Those who learn to accept their own mistakes can learn from them in order to build a profitable trading strategy and conquer the changing market. Even the big fish in forex will agree that trading is much more about feelings and self-reflection than anything else. 

Moreover, when you begin to understand the motives behind your own moves, only then you’ll be able to understand how other forex traders act in order to be a move ahead of them.

The Complex World of Forex Trading Psychology

There’s no doubt that the world of forex trading psychology is complex. No worries, though; we at Trading Education can become your financial therapist to help you become a successful trader.

• Reassess Your Motives and Expectations

It’s not a secret that many traders fail. That’s right - at the beginning of your trading career it's very easy to fail! This is because many people believe that trading is easy money.

Nevertheless, forex is not a get-rich-quickly scheme. Though you can make a fortune in the long-term, it takes a lot of time and patience to become successful.

Okay, sometimes beginner's luck can lead to positive outcomes, but winning in the long-term can be very difficult. In trading, you don’t need four-leaved clovers but proper forex trading education.

• Invest in Self-assessment 

It’s not only education you should invest in. Any good forex trader must invest in self-assessment, seen as the only way to master the psychology of forex trading.

By definition, self-assessment is defined as the evaluation of your own decisions and actions. So why is this important in forex?

As a forex trader, you are your own boss. Thus, in order to tilt the odds in your favour, you should improve your ways of trading forex and analysing your moves. As stated earlier, only by knowing yourself well, you can avoid making the same forex mistakes over and over again in order to succeed.

• Embrace both Losing and Winning

Losing and winning are two sides of the same coin. If you do find that you are not making successful trades from the beginning, it's worth noting that this initial failure is a natural stage during your journey to forex trading success.

The forex market is a fluctuating market where both amateurs and professionals can lose. However, professionals, knowing the importance of the psychology of forex, know how to deal with losses.

On top of that, good traders can predict how other traders might react in a turbulent situation and use that to their advantage to build up positions. As losing in forex is normal, good forex traders simply keep going.

• Learn to Control Your Emotions 

One of the most important things that forex trading psychology will make you realise is that controlling your emotions while trading forex is crucial.

Emotional trading will not lead you to forex trading success. In fact, if you continue trading forex full of uncontrolled and intense emotions, you can end up losing a lot of money.

An example of a trader dealing with intense emotions is an investor who does not close a losing position. If you do not close a losing position, however, then you might well continue on a losing streak. In other words, an impulsive decision and a small loss could wipe out all the profits you have made by trading forex. The secret of forex trading success is to limit risks so that your gains can outweigh your losses.

Just explore your emotions and focus on capitalising on your successful positions to maximise profits in forex.

• Never Trade Out of Fear

Though fear is of evolutionary importance, fear is one of the most powerful emotions in forex trading psychology that can result in failure.

Fear is a common experience that beginners in forex trading have to deal with. Fear of entering the market and placing trades, however, can lead to missed opportunities. An important aspect of the forex world is that you will never succeed unless you try. 

Here we should note that you should never enter the market with money you can’t afford to lose.

Fear of trading could also arise in those on a losing streak. The key factors to success here are to manage your risks, make sure you have stop-losses in place, and ensure that you are not risking more than you can lose. Do not allow fear to leave you paralysed in forex trading!

• Greed Has No Place In Forex Trading

While many people leave their jobs to become full-time traders and make a fortune, the truth is that greed has no place in forex trading.

So, how can you spot a greedy trader? This is quite an easy one, especially when you explore the complexities of forex trading psychology. Traders who want to make more and more money are definitely greedy. Take a trader who ignores their risk management strategy simply because things are currently moving in their favour, for example!

In order to avoid being a greedy trader, be wise; if you have a target and you have hit it, simply get your profit and leave. Stick to your risk management strategy. 

Forex trading is not gambling and greedy trading never ends well. 

• Too Much Happiness Can Make You Unhappy

Does that sound weird to you? Well, only by understanding the psychology of forex trading, you’ll understand that any intense emotion can lead to failure. Even positive emotions can lead to mistakes!

When you allow euphoria to control your moves, then your objectivity can get clouded, which can make you take steps that are not part of your trading strategy.

While feeling happy about successful trades is a good thing, do not forget that forex is a complex investment endeavor, so you have to be in the right state of mind to succeed.

• Overconfidence Is Your Enemy

Any good trader with an understanding of the psychology of forex trading will tell you that overconfidence in forex is your enemy.

Overconfidence can lead to unrealistic expectations and the so-called King Kong syndrome. This often occurs when a trader gets a big successful streak. Though you may feel invincible, this will not be the case.

The market can be unpredictable, so you should never take your current success for granted. It is not a guarantee for success in the future either! Simply stick to your strategy and risk management plan to avoid this pitfall in forex.

• Do Not Trade Out of Revenge 

When emotions overcome logic, traders can fail. It’s a fact in the psychology of forex trading. For example, when you place trades with huge lot sizes, you are actually risking a lot. And when you lose, you may seek revenge on the market.

The truth is the market doesn't have anything against you - even if you lose. It happens. 

Consistency and risk management are vital to help you become successful when trading forex. Remain calm, do not seek revenge, and stick to your plan.

• Stop Being Impatient

Impatience is another negative aspect of the psychology of forex trading which can lead to failure. While we all know that the almighty dollar is a moving force in forex, do not expect to become a millionaire overnight.

Instant gratification is a common desire in life, but in forex, you have to be patient. As stated above, forex trading is not a get-rich-quickly scheme.

Impatience can lead to dissatisfaction and make you quit. But don’t do that! Continue analysing the market because, as the saying goes, “The trend is your friend.”

• Explore the Mazes of Your Cognitive Processes

We all know that the human mind and body are interconnected. So it’s not only our emotions we have to control but our thoughts. There are different cognitive biases traders should be aware of in the world of forex trading psychology.

As stated above feelings of euphoria, overconfidence, and greed can lead traders to failure. Don’t allow your ego and past wins make you think you’ll be successful forever. After all, losing is normal in forex trading.

Traders can also fall victim to the so-called anchoring bias or when traders base their moves on current events without considering potential changes in the future. Thus - though it’s hard to step out of your comfort zone - always analyse the market and embrace its fluctuations.

When you analyse the market, do not look only for information that supports your beliefs, the so-called confirmation bias, but explore different moves and possible losses. In the end, objective thinking is crucial in forex trading psychology.  

• Stop Thinking You’re Missing Out

In reality, many traders fail to understand forex trading psychology. One of the worst phenomena is the fear of missing out.

Forex traders should identify this problem, with self-reflection being an important process. Remember that there will be more trades, so you are not missing out at all. 

The forex market will be always available. After all, forex is considered the largest market in the world, open 24 hours, five days a week.

• Do Not Believe in Trading Myths

Rumours are all around us, and the forex market is no exception. Many traders believe that they need a huge account and many wins to become successful. The truth, however, is that you can start trading even with $100.

You don’t need big wins either. All you need is a good risk management strategy and objectivity. As mentioned above, a consistent strategy is one of the most important factors to forex trading success.

On top of that, traders should analyse the logic behind their own moves and mistakes (for example, overleveraging). While it’s normal to make mistakes, traders should learn from them and stop repeating them.

Embrace the Psychology of Forex Trading and Create a Positive Mindset

When you understand the basics of the psychology of forex trading, it’s time to change your attitudes towards trading and get your mind right. Create a positive mindset and an enjoyable trading routine. 

In fact, balancing personal life and work is crucial. Do not undervalue the importance of healthy living.

Embrace the uncertainties of the market as well as your losses. Do not allow unexpected events to make you change your strategy. As financial analyst Peter Hanks said, “Trade according to your strategy, not your feelings.”

Consider small steps to help you deal with negative emotions and thoughts. Place a trade and go for a walk, for instance. There’s no need for you to keep staring at tables and screens 24/7!

Do not hesitate to take a break to recharge your psychological capital. It’s important not only to increase your account but your emotional resources.

Key Points

• The psychology of forex trading holds the secrets to forex trading success.
• Traders should invest enough time in understanding the basics of forex trading and forex trading psychology to become successful.
• Self-reflection is mandatory to help traders understand their attitudes towards trading, learn from their mistakes, and stay ahead of other traders.
• Intense emotions, both positive and negative, can lead to failure. Never trade out of fear, greed, euphoria, or revenge.
• Understand the logic behind your moves, as well as the impact that cognitive biases can have. Do not trade out of overconfidence or fear of missing out. Understand that losing is part of the game.
• Myths and rumours can be detrimental, so get your mind right. Simply create a positive mindset and an enjoyable routine to become successful.
• Success is measured not only in money but in psychological capital.

We at Trading Education are here to help you master the psychology of forex trading and become a pro. Simply sign up for our forex trading course and check out our reputable brokers!

If you have enjoyed reading The Psychology of Forex Trading, How To Get Your Mind Right article, make sure to click the Like button and share it with other traders!