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How to Treat a Demo Trading Account Like a Live One? "A reader asked me this question; as you know, I always recommend a demo account - because the people who tell you to go live, like software subscription vendors or brokers, make money from your naive trading mistakes. But how do you make the demo feel live?
Firstly, it's great that you are practicing on a demo account before jumping into the world of trading with real money. It is indeed an essential step in the learning process, and your awareness of the psychological aspect of trading is commendable. My number one rule is to ensure people don't lose money.
To address your concerns about treating demo trading as gambling, here are some strategies that can help you to develop a disciplined mindset and enhance your learning experience:
Set realistic goals: Define a set of objectives for your demo account that mirrors what you would expect in a live trading environment. This could include setting a realistic starting balance, setting a daily or weekly profit target, and managing risk by defining stop-loss and take-profit levels.
Develop a trading plan: A well-defined trading plan can help you to stay disciplined and focused on your strategy. It should include your trading goals, risk management rules, trading timeframes, and the specific instruments you will trade.
Maintain a trading journal: Documenting your trades, along with the reasons for entry and exit, emotions, and the outcomes, can help you to learn from your mistakes and successes. This practice will also encourage you to treat each trade as a serious decision.
Treat the demo account as if it were real money: This is crucial for developing the right mindset. Stick to your trading plan, and don't take risks you wouldn't take with real money. It might help to remind yourself that the habits you develop while practicing will directly impact your performance in a live trading environment.
Limit the duration of your demo account: Set a time limit on your demo trading experience, such as 3 to 6 months. This can help prevent you from becoming too comfortable with the idea that you are not trading with real money.
Consider starting with a small live account: Once you have built up your confidence and discipline in the demo account, consider moving to a small live account. This will help you to experience the emotions and pressure that come with real money trading but with limited risk.
Remember, consistency in your trading performance is key. If you need to achieve consistent results in your demo account, it's best to continue practicing and refining your strategy before moving on to a live account.
Best of luck in your trading journey, and feel free to reach out if you have further questions.
Alpesh Patel OBE
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