Back in 2017, I did something that still makes me break out in a cold sweat when I think about it.

I had my eye on ADA and started building a position at $0.03. Over the next three months, it was like riding a rocket—it shot all the way up to $1.20. My account balance had multiplied nearly 40 times, and the first thing I did every morning was check my account. I was already daydreaming about what kind of car to buy.

And then? I didn’t sell.

ADA turned around and dropped back down to $0.20. The Porsche was gone, and 80% of my profits evaporated. That was the moment I realized that in this market, buying in is just the beginning—the real skill is in your exit.

The lessons I learned from those losses over the years have helped me form an operating framework suited for ordinary people. You don’t need to stare at the screen all day, but you do need to execute strictly.

**About Taking Profits**

Now I use a “sell in batches” strategy. Suppose a coin rises from $1 to $2—I sell 30% at $2 to take back my principal. At $3, I sell another 30%. The remaining 40% I set with a trailing stop—if the price falls 15% from its peak, I close out the rest.

What’s the benefit of doing this? You can ride the main upward wave, but you don’t get stuck riding the elevator back down. Let others fight over the head and tail of the fish—I just want the meat in the middle.

**About Stop Losses—This Is Life or Death**

I set a hard rule for myself: No single loss can exceed 5% of my principal.

For example, if I invest $10,000, I’m out if I lose $500. Every time I buy, I set a conditional order with a -10% automatic stop loss, just like buckling your seatbelt when driving.

Don’t worry about missing out on opportunities. There are always more, but if your principal is gone, you’re really done.

One more point that goes against human nature—**don’t try to sell at the absolute top**.

A lot of people get burned trying to do just that. My mentality now is: it’s enough to catch the middle part. Using this method, I’ve secured a steady 35% return this year—much better than chasing pumps and dumps like before.

Here’s some real talk.

Over the past decade, I’ve seen plenty of get-rich-quick stories, but even more people who lost everything riding the ups and downs. The ones who actually walk away with money are those who execute their strategy with machine-like discipline.

There was a time after I stopped out when that coin doubled again, and my friend called me timid. But I don’t regret it—three months later, that thing went to zero.

In this market, surviving is way more important than making money fast. I used to grope around in the dark, but now I’ve got a light in my hand.

And that light is always on.