Not every losing streak means your strategy is broken. But how do you know when it’s time to stay the course — or make a change?
Let’s break it down.
🧪 Step 1: Check the Sample Size
A strategy isn’t proven (or disproven) after just 5 or 10 trades. You need a minimum of 30–50 trades to get meaningful data.
Quick check:
Did you follow the strategy exactly?
Were you consistent with risk, entry, and exit?
If not — it's not the strategy’s fault yet.
📉 Step 2: Differentiate Between Execution and Strategy
A solid system can fail if you don’t follow it properly.
Signs of an execution problem:
Taking trades that don’t meet your criteria
Moving your stop loss out of emotion
Entering too early or too late
Before switching strategies, make sure you’ve given it a fair shot with disciplined execution.
🧠 Step 3: Is the Market Changing?
Even good strategies can slow down in different market conditions.
Ask:
Is the market trending or ranging?
Was my strategy built for this type of market?
Adapting to volatility or session times might be the fix — not an entirely new plan.
🔄 Step 4: Tweak, Don’t Trash
If your strategy shows potential but needs refining, try adjusting:
Timeframe
Risk-reward ratio
Entry trigger (e.g., wait for confirmation)
Make small changes and track the impact.
🚨 Red Flags It's Time to Switch Completely
Strategy has no logic or edge (random entries)
Negative performance over 100+ trades
You've outgrown the strategy and need more depth
🎯 Final Word
Jumping from one strategy to another too quickly is a recipe for failure.
Stick long enough to truly understand the system, but don’t stay loyal to a loser forever.
Let the data — not your emotions — guide the decision.