Retail investors and market makers are often separated not by information, but by mindset. A monkey jumping around in the trees always thinks the next fruit will be sweeter, unaware that the hunter has already locked onto its target—this is a true reflection of most traders.

After years of trading, you'll understand a paradox: complex methods are easily eliminated by the market, while those seemingly "stupid" principles tend to keep you alive the longest. The fundamental logic of trading is so simple—buy slowly at low levels, sell gradually at high levels.

Have you ever dreamed of turning things around? Going all-in sounds exciting, but the market has repeatedly shown us painful lessons: this is not a shortcut, but an abyss. A more reliable way to live is to give up betting on the direction or quick riches, and instead bet on surviving long enough in this market.

In practice: when prices fall, use your reserve funds to buy some bottom; when prices rise, reduce some positions in the pressure zone. No need to precisely catch the top, just follow the market’s rhythm and breathe along with it.

Two principles must be ingrained in your bones:

**Always keep cash on hand.** This is your confidence in facing all black swan events. When cash is sufficient, no matter how fierce the decline, you can stay calm and even buy the dip; when you have no money, you can only watch opportunities slip through your fingers.

**Never go all-in at once.** This is the armor that protects you from being knocked out in one blow. Aggressive traders tend to lose the fastest; steady traders are the long-term winners.

Think about it this way: if you have both cash and positions, you won’t miss the market rally, and you won’t panic during a decline. This balance is the normal state that traders should pursue.

The market is never short of star traders; what’s lacking is those who can survive long enough. Don’t focus on those who rush in quickly—learn how those who last long play the game. Lower your expectations, slow down, and trade steadily—you’ll find that the sense of security from consistent profits is far more valuable than rollercoaster excitement.

Take it step by step, and let’s encourage each other.