Learning path Bronze Understand and protect

Trading mistake

Process violation in a single trade — distinct from a normal loss with plan respected.

Who this is for — Understanding that a loss with plan respected is not a «mistake.» The mistake is violating process: size, stop, reason, emotion.

A trading mistake is a deviation from the plan or Bronze rules — not every losing trade. Stop hit with plan adhered = −1R, statistical lesson. Stop moved into loss = mistake.

In plain terms — Good loss: process OK, market won this time. Mistake: wrong behaviour — regardless of P&L.


Examples of mistakes (Bronze)

Mistake Connection
Stop removed or moved
Trade after daily limit
Fear exit with target not reached

Example — Trade −1R with stop respected: no mistake. Trade +0.5R without initial stop: mistake — profit reinforcing dangerous habit.

Typical mistake — Labeling every loss as personal failure instead of separating process (yes/no) from outcome (€/R).


In the journal

Binary field: mistake yes/no + short description. Feeds the lesson and monthly review: how many trades with mistake vs plan adherence.

Summary card

  • Normal loss: plan OK, −1R acceptable.
  • Mistake: rule broken, even in profit.

Bronze path — Journal / risk module. Index: Bronze Path.