The most underrated skill in trading is "waiting." The market does not always offer opportunities; forcing trades means losing "opportunity cost" and taking on unnecessary risk.
The Mathematical Reality of Compounding
Compounding, called "the greatest invention" by Einstein, requires time and consistency. At a 20% annual return, capital doubles in ~3.8 years. Achieving this doesn't require miraculous wins, but the steady accumulation of a small edge while avoiding large drawdowns.
Practical Approach
When you decide "conditions aren't met today, so I won't trade," record this in your journal not as a "miss," but as a "victory in capital preservation." Waiting is often the lowest-risk, highest-probability position you can hold.