Staying up late watching the market, with my heart pounding like it's about to explode—I've also experienced days of being tormented by the fluctuations. From an account with six figures down to nearly zero, I finally understood the truth couldn't be simpler: saving yourself isn't about some magical technical indicator, but about a few bottom lines learned through blood and tears.

**The key is discipline, not prediction**

First, only act at preset levels. I've long since kicked the obsession with "missing out." The market is always moving forward, but if your principal is wiped out, the game is truly over. Now I only operate within a planned price range, even when the most tempting trends appear—I endure. This isn't self-torture; it's the price of staying alive.

Second, before opening a position, always assess the risk first and then look at the potential reward. How much can I lose, where is the stop-loss—these are not suggestions or references—they are the line between life and death. Only by surviving to the next wave of market movement can I talk about turning things around.

Profits should be taken in stages; don’t just leave them on paper dreaming. When I finally make a profit, I cash out part of it to lock in gains, and protect the remaining position with a trailing stop-loss. This way, I can ride the trend’s waves without letting the gains slip away.

Lastly, without a clear signal, just wait patiently. Restlessness and anxiety are the biggest enemies of traders. Every entry and exit must be supported by rules, not by "feelings" or "emotions." The market never lacks opportunities; what’s missing is the patience to sit through them.

The real secret weapon for retail traders is so simple: endure, wait, and execute accurately. In the unpredictable world of crypto markets, these three are more effective than any advanced theory.