Most people blow their first account. I almost did too. Here are the 3 lessons that saved me:

1. Your position size matters more than your entry.

Beginners obsess over finding the "perfect" entry. Meanwhile they're risking 20% of their account on a single trade. If you can't survive 10 losses in a row, your position size is too big. Period.

2. A strategy you can follow beats a strategy that's "optimal."

The best trading strategy is the one you'll actually execute consistently. A simple moving average crossover that you follow with discipline will outperform a complex multi-indicator system you second-guess every time.

3. Paper trading isn't fake — it's training.

Every surgeon practices on simulations before operating. Every pilot trains on a simulator before flying. But for some reason traders think they should go straight to risking real money? Paper trade until your system is profitable for 3 months. Then go live.

These three things alone would've saved me thousands. If you're just starting out, bookmark this.