At times when gold, oil and currency prices fluctuate, and everyone is waiting for the Federal Reserve’s decisions, many traders fall into one trap: trying to predict the next move instead of preparing for all possibilities.

But there is a method followed by some top traders, based on a simple idea: Don’t try to be smarter than the market. Wait until it gives you a clear opportunity, and determine your loss before you think about your profit.

Renowned trader Mark Minervini employs a trend-following approach, seeking out assets that demonstrate relative strength and then waiting for a specific entry point rather than buying simply because of positive news. Minervini emphasizes that risk management and discipline are more important than chasing every opportunity in the market.

First, don’t trade everything at once. Choose one or two markets you follow closely, such as gold or the EUR/USD pair. Observe the overall trend, identify support and resistance levels, and wait for a clear signal instead of entering simply because the price has risen or fallen rapidly.

secondly,

Don’t let news be a direct buy or sell order. Gold may rise after negative news, then fall back as investors reprice interest rate expectations.

The dollar could rise despite expectations that the Federal Reserve will hold interest rates steady if the Fed chair’s remarks are more hawkish than markets anticipate. What matters is how the price reacts to the news, not the news itself .

Third, determine your exit point before entering. Imagine you have a $10,000 account and decide to risk only 0.5% on a trade; this means your maximum planned loss is $50, before accounting for slippage and other costs. If you can’t clearly define your potential loss, don’t enter the trade.

Finally, remember that not trading is also a decision. When markets are uncertain ahead of central bank decisions, waiting may be better than entering a trade without understanding its underlying reasons.

You don’t need to anticipate every market movement to be a successful trader. You need a clear strategy, patience to wait for opportunities, and discipline to prevent a single trade from ruining your results. The goal isn’t to win every time, but to preserve your capital when you make mistakes and to profit when the markets move in the direction you planned.