Infinite Chase of Perfection
The beauty of life is often found in what is imperfect. Yet our minds naturally drift toward perfection - in work, in relationships and yes, in trading. But perfection in trading is not just unattainable; it’s a dangerous illusion.
When I first started, I wanted flawless trades: perfect entries, perfect exits, zero mistakes. The longer I traded, the more I realised that chasing perfection is a battle you cannot win. Why? Because markets are inherently uncertain. They are environments where randomness is part of the system. To demand perfection in such a space is to set yourself up for endless frustration and, eventually, burnout.
Interestingly, research backs this up. Studies on perfectionism and performance (Stoeber & Otto, 2006) show that while striving for excellence can sometimes motivate, perfectionism often leads to anxiety, avoidance and self-sabotage.
In trading, this manifests as overanalysing entries, hesitating to take trades or constantly tinkering with strategies in search of “the perfect one.” The result? Missed opportunities and emotional exhaustion.
This doesn’t mean perfectionism is always bad. In some domains - design, art, writing, gardening - the pursuit of detail and precision can elevate the final result. For instance, when I work on the design of my brand (@iamflowtrader), I lean into my perfectionist tendencies because I try to produce something tangible, looking minimalistic and lasting. But trading is different. It’s a probabilistic environment, not a controlled canvas.
Markets reward flexibility, not flawlessness. That’s why the mindset shift is so crucial. Stop chasing perfect trades. They do not exist. What exists is process and probabilities.
The sooner you let go of perfection, the sooner you free yourself to focus on what truly matters: consistency, patience and growth.
The 3% Chart View: How is it going
Previous week was nothing so special so I decided to skip it, I had zero trades. But this week is different story. I got 3 wins 0 losses this week. 2 full wins and one 0.5R win. I am still amazed what can be done while following your discretion. Once you switch there is no going back after.
Below are some data directly from the MT5 (I am so happy they fixed that nonsense update, now it is kinda good for trading, but before that it was awful).
I will keep it secret for next few months, but I will be giving you here updates each week. I am glad I started documenting it, so I am able to show you whole process step by step.
- Luke FT.