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Trader Psychology

Fear and Greed

The two dominant forces in every market — and every trader's account.

WellingtonCDFS Editorial August 3, 2026 1 min read
Fear and Greed

The Two Sides

Fear stops us from acting when we should; greed pushes us to act when we shouldn't. Both distort risk perception and lead to poor decisions.

Signs of Fear

  • Skipping valid setups after a losing streak
  • Closing winners the moment they turn green
  • Reducing size below plan when confidence dips

Signs of Greed

  • Sizing up after a winning streak
  • Removing stops
  • Taking trades outside the plan because "it's obvious"

Neutralising Both

  • Predefine risk per trade
  • Predefine entry, stop, target
  • Predefine what you'll do after 3 wins or 3 losses in a row

Key Takeaways

  • Fear and greed are natural; unmanaged, they are destructive.
  • A written plan is the antidote.
  • Consistent sizing keeps both under control.