At 3 a.m., staring fiercely at the chart, my heart pounding as if it might jump out of my chest—I've been through this feeling too many times.

I also died once. My account dropped from hundreds of thousands to just a few thousand yuan, and that feeling of being drained... I still remember it to this day.

It was only later that I realized, what saved me wasn't some secret indicator, but a few rules hard-earned from countless losses.

**Rule 1: Never chase the trend.** Enter only at points you can control; no matter how tempting other opportunities look, you must resist. The market always offers chances, but the capital lost can never be recovered. I kicked the obsession of "fearing missing out," forcing myself to wait for my own signal. Instead of following the herd and chasing the trend, it’s better to sit tight.

**Rule 2: Survival is more important than anything.** Before opening a position, I don’t first calculate how much I can earn, but how much I can lose at most. Capital is fighting power—lose it, and it’s truly gone. Controlling position size is key to enduring until the next trend, giving myself a chance to turn things around.

**Rule 3: Profit should be taken in layers.** The main position follows the trend, while the smaller positions are gradually taken off at key points. This way, you can benefit from the rise, and during pullbacks, you still hold chips for a fallback. Never go all-in and hold on stubbornly.

**Rule 4: Wait for signals.** Every trade must have clear trigger conditions. Whether you're in a good mood or not doesn’t matter; whether the rules are satisfied is what counts. If there’s no signal, decisively hold back.

With these four simple yet strict rules, I’ve gradually transformed from a trader driven by emotions into a planned, disciplined trader. My profits, which once fluctuated in the tens of dollars, now stabilize in the four-digit range.

Most importantly, I no longer let the market or fear lead me around. In the past, I was stumbling in the dark; now I have a light in my hand. The light has always been on.