Why is the most difficult part of the cycle not determining the direction, but doing nothing

In the middle of the cycle, many start to experience an illusion: if the direction is correctly identified, everything else is just a matter of execution. But after going through several rounds of the market, you'll realize that identifying the direction was never the hardest part; the real challenge is resisting the urge to act, even when you have a rough idea of where the market is heading.

Especially in the current situation, where macroeconomic expectations are constantly being revised, good and bad news appear, and prices have many explanations that seem reasonable. You are not entirely deprived of judgment, but any decision you make is not strong enough to justify the emotional and financial costs of action. The market does not give clear signals but constantly creates temptations.

And then comes the most exhausting stage: you know that entering a trade now is unprofitable, but every day you're haunted by the question: should I do something? Reading news, analyzing opinions, re-examining others' trades—all of this hints to you that inaction itself is a mistake.

But this is precisely the true test of the market.

Tao teaches non-action; it is often misunderstood as passivity and refusal to act. But in trading, non-action is not the absence of thoughts but the refusal to use actions to soothe anxiety when you lack an advantage. You are not incapable of acting; you choose not to expose yourself to a situation that is not yet ripe.

Many losses occur not because of incorrect forecasts but at the moment when you know you shouldn’t enter, yet you do it anyway. At this point, you are no longer trading according to the trend but fighting internal agitation. The market is ruthless in this regard.

Over time, you will notice that doing nothing is a very high level of self-discipline. It requires trust in your system, confidence in your chosen rhythm, and patience to wait for results that may not come immediately. In this state, there is no feedback, no applause, not even confirmation that you are doing the right thing.

And it is often in this cycle that this stage is prolonged.

A mature trader learns to divert attention from price fluctuations in such situations. He begins to focus not on the next candle but on his own state—whether it is stable, whether the execution is clean, whether he can maintain patience during calm days.

He thinks he is waiting for the market, but in reality, he is waiting for the moment when he can act again clearly and confidently. When that moment comes, he acts very rarely but very decisively.

The cycle never rewards frequent actions—it prefers those who know when to stop. Many can roughly determine the direction, but only those who can stay calm during long waits turn their forecasts into results.

Therefore, if you understand the market but choose not to act; if you have a direction but are willing to wait—this is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign that you are beginning to truly understand how the cycle works.

In this market, those who can hold on and do nothing are often the last remaining who are still in the game.