Although the word is a relatively new addition to the English language, FOMO—or the fear of missing out—is ingrained in how we conduct our daily lives. 69% of millennials experience FOMO, a true characteristic of the modern digital age, but it can also have a substantial impact on trading practices.
For instance, the fear of missing out may motivate someone to enter a trade hastily or to close a deal prematurely because that’s what other people seem to be doing. Due to a lack of knowledge or a desire to follow the crowd, it might even lead traders to take on excessive capital risk. Fast-paced markets and volatility may make it seem like there is a lot to miss out on, which for some people just serves to increase their FOMO (fear of missing out) feeling.
This article will highlight various triggers and how they can impact a day trader’s success in order to aid traders in better understanding the notion of FOMO in trading and why it occurs. It will discuss pertinent examples and describe how a normal day trade appears when FOMO is the driving force. There are many strategies for overcoming fear and other emotions that might interfere with consistency in trading, which is one of the key characteristics of successful traders.
How does FOMO affect trading?
The fear of missing out on a significant trading opportunity, or FOMO, is a problem that many traders face at some point in their careers. Everyone, from seasoned forex traders to beginning traders with retail accounts, can experience FOMO.
FOMO is a typical occurrence in the present era of social media, which allows us unmatched access to the lives of others. It results from the perception that certain traders are more successful than others, and it can lead to excessively high expectations, a lack of long-term perspective, overconfidence or underconfidence, and a lack of patience.
Emotions are frequently a major motivating factor in FOMO. Unchecked, they may cause traders to disregard trading strategies and take on more risk than they are comfortable with.
Typical trading feelings that can contribute to FOMO include:
- Fear, Greed, and Excitement
- Jealousy
- Impatience
- Anxiety
What Makes a FOMO Trader Unique?
FOMO traders are likely to exhibit similar characteristics and be motivated by a specific set of presumptions. The top statements made by FOMO traders are listed below, which gives light on the emotions that can influence trading:
Follower: It can be dangerous to follow the crowd. Even if other traders are profiting from a deal, that doesn’t guarantee that you will. It is risky to assume that other traders “must know something that I don’t” without understanding the situation. You have no idea how or why they are trading.
Unplanned: A FOMO trader frequently decides to “give it a try and see what happens.” Of course, this is a poor strategy for trading management. This mentality exudes impulsivity and lack of self-discipline. With this mentality, consistency is impossible.
Overly optimistic: It’s never a good idea to pay more attention to potential profits from a trade than to the basics and risk management strategies. It is not sustainable to chase home run trades.
Hindsight bias: Following a bad deal, FOMO traders frequently dwell on the past and convince themselves, “I should have known that would happen.” A trader’s approach for future transactions is entirely wrong when they focus on past trades. You have already acknowledged that you have caved in to FOMO and have abandoned your strategy if you “should have known.”
Jealousy/Envy: Jealousy can cause FOMO. It would be unreasonable for a jealous trader to not benefit from an opportunity if everyone else was.
FOMO mentality is shortsighted because it fails to recognize the wealth of opportunities the market presents. If you pass up this chance, simply watch for the next. Trading strategies that are too focused on the future frequently fail in practice.
What Elements Can Lead to FOMO Trading?
Although FOMO is an internal experience, it can be brought on by a variety of circumstances. The following are a few outside reasons that could cause a trader to experience FOMO:
- Unstable financial markets. FOMO can infiltrate our mentality whenever there is market movement, not just in bullish situations where individuals desire to ride a trend. There is no trader who wants to pass up a fantastic chance.
- Enormous winning streaks With recent victories giving you confidence, it is simple to see fresh opportunities and seize them. And everyone else is doing it, so it must be okay, right? Sadly, winning streaks don’t persist indefinitely.
- Loss after loss. A vicious cycle of trading can result when a trader enters a position, becomes anxious, closes it out, then re-enters the trade when guilt and sadness over not holding out set in. This may ultimately result in greater losses.
- Rumors and news. The feeling of being left out might be heightened by hearing a rumor going about; traders may feel that they aren’t in the know.
- Social media, particularly Twitter for business. When it appears like everyone is making profitable transactions, the combination of social media and trading can be poisonous. It’s crucial to take the time to investigate influencers and analyse posts rather than accepting social media content at face value.
FOMO not only impacts traders personally, but it may also have an immediate impact on the markets. Moving markets may be emotionally based; as a new trend is thought to be developing, traders hunt for opportunities and seek for entry points.
How to Avoid FOMO Trading
Gaining more self-awareness and appreciating the value of discipline and risk management in trading are the first steps in overcoming FOMO. While there isn’t a quick fix to stop FOMO in its tracks and emotions from influencing trades, there are a number of tactics that can aid traders in making better judgments and trading more successfully.
Here are some reminders and advice to help you handle your fear:
- Another transaction will always be available. Opportunities to trade are like buses; there will always be more. The ideal possibilities may not present themselves immediately away, but they are worth the wait.
- Everyone is standing in the same place. Realizing that many traders are experiencing a breakthrough moment lessens the intensity of the FOMO.
- Follow your trading plan. Every trader should be aware of their approach, develop a trading strategy, and then stick to it. Long-term success can be achieved in this manner.
- It’s important to remove emotion from trading. A trading plan will assist you in learning to control your emotions, which will boost your trading confidence.
- Never spend more money than you can afford to lose when trading. In the event that the market changes unexpectedly, they can also utilize a stop to minimize losses.
- Market knowledge is crucial. Traders should perform their own research and utilize it to guide their trading decisions, taking into account all available data to be aware of all potential outcomes.
- Although FOMO is difficult to forget, it may be managed. The appropriate tactics and strategies guarantee that traders can overcome FOMO.
- Planning is made easier by keeping a trade log. It’s no accident that the best traders keep journals and utilize their own experiences to inform their planning.
Conclusion
The influence of FOMO on your trading choices can be significant. You can lessen its affects on your trade, though, if you understand what it is and how to cope with it.
Data and probability are the basis of the art of trading. When you respond to unpleasant emotional stimuli, you frequently perform below par. As a trader, you must control not only FOMO but also all other adverse emotional reactions. It’s so simple to say, but difficult to actually perform.
Just keep telling yourself that you have a plan and a strategy that will give you an advantage in the markets, and it’s ok because new possibilities will constantly present themselves. But don’t become fixated on it or linger there for too long.
It takes time to get over FOMO; it’s a continual process. This article has given you an excellent place to start by emphasizing the significance of trading psychology and controlling your emotions in order to stop FOMO from influencing your trading decisions. Now that you understand how to recognize and combat FOMO, learn how to embrace missing out in trading, and alter your thinking for higher success.
Self-confessed Forex Geek spending my days researching and testing everything forex related. I have many years of experience in the forex industry having reviewed thousands of forex robots, brokers, strategies, courses and more. I share my knowledge with you for free to help you learn more about the crazy world of forex trading! Read more about me.
