The $117,000 Lesson

Author

Atif Hussain
March 13, 2025

In partnership with

Hey Mate,

When I started trading, I thought the key to success was knowing everything.

So I did what most traders do:

  • Jumped between multiple strategies

  • Analyzed every time frame (from the monthly down to the 1-minute—what a waste!)

  • Obsessed over win rate, thinking I needed 80%+ to be profitable

I thought more knowledge = more success.

But instead, I was confused, overwhelmed, and stuck.

Every loss made me think my strategy was broken.

So I kept tweaking. Kept switching. Kept overcomplicating.

Then, I saw something that changed my entire perspective.

The $117,000 Lesson

I came across a trader who made $117K in a month with just a 2RR strategy and a 45% win rate.

It hit me like a brick.

Here I was, wasting time chasing the perfect strategy—when all I needed was a simple edge and discipline.

At that moment, I knew:

  • Win rate is overrated – A 50% win rate with 3RR can make you a millionaire.

  • Less is more – The best traders don’t overanalyze; they execute.

  • Complexity kills confidence – The more rules you add, the harder it is to trust your plan.

So I stripped everything down.

I stopped analyzing 10 different time frames.
I ignored indicators.
I focused on a single setup with a solid risk-reward.

And for the first time, trading felt easy.

A Quick Tip from Atif

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Why Traders Overcomplicate Everything

At the root of it all, my problem wasn’t technical—it was psychological.

I didn’t believe that something simple could work.

I thought more effort = more money.

But trading isn’t a degree, it’s a business.

And in business, the goal isn’t to collect knowledge—it’s to make money.

When I finally let go of complexity, my results improved almost overnight.

Final Thoughts

If you’re still struggling, ask yourself:

  • Are you trying to be “perfect” instead of profitable?

  • Are you analyzing too many time frames, indicators, or strategies?

  • Are you making trading harder than it needs to be?

If the answer is yes, it’s time to simplify.

Pick an edge. Stick to it. Trust it.

That’s what separates profitable traders from the ones who stay stuck.

And I’d love to hear from you:

  • What’s one thing you need to simplify in your trading?

  • Do you struggle more with strategy or mindset?

  • And did this email land in your primary inbox or the promotions tab?

Reply and let me know—I read every response.

Until next time,
Atif

P.S.

I just added brand-new modules inside the Iron Forged Trading Program, covering:

Advanced trading psychology – How to rewire your mind for success
Simplifying your trading – The exact process I used to cut out the noise
Step-by-step execution plan – How to go from struggling to profitable fast

It’s everything I wish I had when I was stuck.

Check it out here: Iron Forged Trading Program.