Trading Thursday: Most People Give Up on their New Year’s Resolutions Within the First Month - This is How You Don’t

Damn, no treadmill free!

Last Friday, I was at the gym, just like in November and December. But where I usually find a free treadmill to warm up, this time they were all taken!

It’s January, the month of New Year's resolutions. Exercising more is in second place, right after “eating healthier,” which is why gyms are always overcrowded this month.
However, according to a survey from an Australian university, most people give up on their New Year’s resolutions within the first month.

For me, that means: Only two more weeks to go – then I can finally use the treadmill again without interruption!

Don’t want to be one of those who give up on their resolutions? 

If your aim is to stick to your annual commitment this time, building consistent routines is key. The same principle applies if your goal is to trade profitably in 2025. Here are four essential tips to help you achieve your goal for the year. Let’s dive in!

1. Strategy is Everything

Have you defined your strategy yet? Whether it’s Wheel of Options, options selling with buyback, or just stock buying – which strategy you choose is up to you. The important thing is that you’ve set one and stick to it.

By the way:
Did you know that it’s super easy to set up your strategy in MindTrajour?
Just click on "Strategies" on the left bar and then the + sign. After that, you can create a checklist for your chosen strategy. You can read more about strategies and checklists in MindTrajour here.

2. Control Comes Before Profit

Do you know the feeling: you’ve won a trade, you're happy, and then, one trade later: BAM! You’ve realized a loss, and it’s so high that it wipes out the gain from your previous successful trade. Maybe your losing trade even pulled you into the negative. It’s like in a casino: you win, invest the profit in the next game, and everything’s gone.
But you shouldn’t treat trading like gambling. As mentioned before: Strategy is everything. And part of that strategy is limiting your losses.

You can use MindTrajour for that too: Create a trade plan and define what your goal is for each trade: What’s your exit plan? Where will you set your stop?
To create a trade plan, simply click on "Trades" in the left column and "Create a new Trade Plan." You can read more about creating trade plans in MindTrajour here.

3. Track Every Trade

Have you ever executed a trade and then forgotten why you entered with those numbers? Broker apps are getting easier and more intuitive, so it’s tempting to quickly make a trade, even while on the toilet.

Why is this dangerous? Simple: you won’t remember what your goal was for that trade, or when and how your exit strategy works – meaning how you’ll get out of the trade (ideally with profit).

MindTrajour is your personal trade journal, where you can track each and every trade. Just create a trade plan, and you’ll have full oversight of your current goal. You can read more about why a Trading Journal is the Secret Weapon for Smarter Trading here.

4. Mind Over Market

Trading success starts in the mind. Set realistic goals, stick to your plan, and don’t let emotions or social media distract you.
To help with that, you can easily use our EmotionTracker, which helps you keep your emotions in check. You can read more about emotions in trading here, and learn how to use our EmotionTracker here.

Set these goals and master these 4 tips this year – so nothing will stand in the way of your success as a profitable trader. Start today by logging into MindTrajour and setting your strategy!

And you’ll see: While most people will give up on their fitness resolutions in a few weeks (and free up the treadmills for me again 😉), you’ll stick to your resolutions on the stock market and achieve success. 

Cheers to a successful Trading Year!

Your

MindTrajour Team