When you're risking your own money, do you feel the need to find that secret information that nobody yet knows or find the perfect trade setup?

Some traders are so obsessed with trying to find the perfect trade that they end up not trading enough to come out profitable. Trading is not the line of work you want to be if you're a perfectionist. You can plan a trade systematically only to end up losing money because an unforeseen event invalidates the trade setup you so thought was sooo perfect and your trade slaps you in the face and goes against you.

While you don't want to become a careless and impulsive trader, you don't want to be an extreme perfectionist either. Remember there's no such thing as a guaranteed profit.

Instead of being perfect, try being average. For all the "A" students out there, I know this almost sounds blasphemous since I'm basically suggesting you strive for a "C" grade. But give it a try.

Rather than look for the "perfect" setup, just find a profitable setup. Yes, you might make less profit per trade, but you'll feel better. Compare how it feels to strive for perfect standards versus average standards. You may find that you prefer average standards since you're more relaxed. Since you'll be putting on more trades, your profits will improve.

Trading is all about probabilities. You must make many trades to get the law of averages to work in your favor. As long as the setups are solid, and you're using sound money management and risk control, you'll make enough trades to come out ahead. You'll be able to get the losing trades "off your back" and focus on winning trades.

If you're an uptight perfectionist, you'll always be on edge and will hardly be able to execute any trades. This will be your downfall because you won't be able to pull the trigger on traders that were "less than perfect" but were profitable.

Dare to be average and see what happens. A student who makes straight "A's" may be smarter but the "C" student sitting behind him may be richer.