Having navigated the crypto world for several years, I’ve been caught in countless traps and experienced the embarrassment of chasing highs and catching falling knives. The lessons learned from those painful losses have now become my daily warning signs.

Recently, I organized five trading disciplines, which are my hard-won insights from recovering losses. These aren’t high-level theories, but they are the bottom line for survival.

**First, don’t rush into a breakout**
When the price breaks the previous high, it can be tempting. But I’ve learned to wait—wait until it returns to the middle or lower band of Bollinger Bands before entering. There will be other opportunities; the money lost in a trap can’t be recovered.

**Second, never catch a falling knife**
When the candlesticks are still falling, reaching out is nine times out of ten suicidal. My standard is: wait at least until the 1-hour chart shows a sign of stabilization and the price begins to flatten. Don’t go in while the knife is still in the air.

**Third, be cautious during quiet periods**
After 2 PM and after 10:30 PM, the market often seems to sleep. The movement is light, and a single large order can cause a sudden change. Instead of messing around during these times, it’s better to exit directly.

**Fourth, volume tells the truth**
Price movements without volume support are illusions. Only when there’s a clear breakout in volume can we confirm that funds are truly entering or leaving, rather than the main players just offsetting positions.

**Fifth, stick to your stop-loss**
Before opening each trade, you must decide where to set your stop-loss. If you get stopped out, accept it and walk away immediately. Knowing your losses clearly and acting decisively helps keep your mindset calm.

In short-term trading, it’s not about who makes the most in one shot, but who survives the longest. Sticking to these bottom lines may not make you rich overnight, but they will ensure you can stay steady in the trading market.