Why Have a Trading Plan?

Uh oh! You’ve learned so much and have come so far in your education, and yet you're still haven't graduated high school. No, you’re not dumb, BUT you didn’t have a trading plan.
Our point is that you can fill your mind with plenty of information, but without a good trading plan and the discipline to stick to it, you will NEVER be profitable.
Think of your trading plan as your map to success. It will be a constant reminder of how you will make money in this market. Of course it’s not required, and if you can make your living by trading without a plan, we will bow down and hail you as the Market Zeus of the Forex.
So you CAN trade without a plan if you want, but before you make that decision, let us give you a few reasons WHY you should have one.

Why Have a Trading Plan?

Reason 1: It keeps you in the right direction

Consistency is very important to have in your trading routine because it allows you to truly measure how successful you are as a trader. If you have a sound trading system but always break your rules, how can you ever really know how good your system really is? Your trading plan will keep you on target. Read it every day and stick to it. 

Reason 2: Trading is a business and successful businesses ALWAYS have plans

I have never seen a successful business not start out with a plan.  Do you honestly think Walmart was just created on a whim and then magically became successful?  Or what about McDonalds?  I’m sure almost anyone can make a better hamburger than McDonalds, but the difference between them and the individual is that they have a successful business plan that guides them to success. 
In the same way, you can relate the McDonald’s story to your trading career.  Whether it’s by luck or experience, everyone can make money in the forex. However, the difference between a losing trader and a successful trader is the PLAN.  If you have a good trading plan and you are disciplined enough to stick to it, you will be successful!
Now you know why you should have a trading plan. Let's find out what makes up a trading plan...