Financial markets are like ancient mountains; there has never been anything truly new. The strategies used by today's traders are essentially no different from those of decades ago.

"Markets are so frustrating, are these professional traders deliberately messing with us?" Every time there's a big fluctuation, such complaints flood in. Many retail investors imagine traders as "gods" who can manipulate candlesticks at will, as if each move is carefully calculated based on the small amount of funds in retail traders' pockets.

But the reality is often more complicated than that, and much simpler at the same time.

As an analyst who has been immersed in the crypto space for many years, I have seen too many classic routines among retail traders: buy-in and get trapped, sell and then see the price rise. What is the real reason behind this? Today, I will lift the veil of mystery and show you what real traders are really like.

**How big is the gap between your imagination and reality**

Most people's image of a trader is glamorous—mysterious, powerful, capable of manipulating the market. In fact, the daily life of a true professional trader is surprisingly dull.

I know someone working in a traditional institution who gets up at 5 a.m. every day—exercising, taking a shower, then starting to analyze the previous night's market data. During trading hours, they hardly chat with anyone, eyes glued to the charts. They go to bed at 9 p.m. without fail. It’s a continuous cycle.

This level of self-discipline is beyond imagination. And the secret to trading success is not some mysterious skill, but the ability to execute a predetermined plan to the end. They are like machines set with programmed routines, completely isolating personal emotions from trading.

**Psychological games are always more ruthless than technical skills**

Technical indicators can deceive, candlestick patterns can be faked, but the psychological battle in the market is always the toughest game. Traders are well-versed in this game.