I am a new trader at The Traders Hideout and this is my debut article where I would like to run through some of the things that got me into trading and give a bit of a back story on my journey into becoming a trader.

About 2 years ago, I saw how all my friends from college were busy trading demo accounts on the Plus500 platform. At the time I really didn’t know much about markets, shares, forex etc. but I wanted to get involved.

I did my research on the platform, opened my first demo account, and started going through the YouTube tutorials on how to use it properly. However, something else caught my eye while looking for help on the internet. I stumbled upon a “Forex Guru” on Google and since I was young and naïve and didn’t know any better, I joined his free telegram group where he shared some analysis ideas on currency pairs. The next thing I knew, I was sitting until 3pm doing my research on what Trading actually is.

I studied some elements for about 2 – 3 months and after that I felt more comfortable with opening my first real account. I funded it with R500 and in exactly 16 minutes in I blew it. I was really confused because I thought I knew what I was doing but clearly I had a false perception. I quickly came to realize that trading is much more than going through some videos and suddenly having the courage to trade – the market humbled me that day. So, I funded my account again after a month with another R500, I traded it up to over R700 and then 1 single position took me out again. Back at Square one.

After all of this, I went through a period where I was really questioning if I should keep putting more time and focus into this whole thing and keep pushing until it worked out. Well, here I am, 2 years later, working for the best company in the game and I am a far better trader than I was before. I kept learning, kept growing and just never stopped.

The whole reason “Why” I kept going for this lifestyle is because I could clearly see the potential for a stress free, wealthy lifestyle. I will be able to manage my own time and do the things I like while making money on my own terms. I am able to work remotely with only my laptop and internet connection.

There is so much to learn when it comes to trading and that is the thing that keeps me going the most – the fact that I am able to always learn something new and that I can then see if it works for me or not. I know if I put the time and effort into learning this skill properly then nothing will be impossible.

I was influenced by a lot of these “Guru’s” in the past but quickly came to realize that I should not be watching other people’s progression but rather focus on my own. Most people have a very unrealistic point of view when it comes to trading, it’s not easy and it never will be. But if you really put in the effort you will see great results.

Mornay Marais, Trader