1. The Journey to Mastering ICT Trading
📌 Congratulations! You’ve completed the ICT Essential Course, gaining a deep understanding of market structure, liquidity, order blocks, fair value gaps, risk management, trading psychology, and continuous learning.
But the journey doesn’t stop here. Mastering ICT trading is a lifelong process.
What Comes Next?
✔️ Refining your strategy – Apply what you’ve learned in live markets.
✔️ Improving trade execution – Practice precision entries and exits.
✔️ Strengthening discipline – Stick to your plan, manage risk, and stay patient.
✔️ Continuing education – Study markets daily and keep evolving.
As Dave – No Nonsense Trader, I believe the key to long-term success is structured learning, constant review, and adapting to the markets.
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2. Creating a 90-Day Improvement Plan
📌 Mastering ICT trading requires structure and commitment.
How to Build a 90-Day Improvement Plan:
✔️ Month 1: Focus on Market Structure & Liquidity Concepts
- Identify Break of Structure (BOS) and Market Shift (MS) daily.
- Track liquidity grabs and stop hunts in real time.
✔️ Month 2: Perfect Trade Execution & Risk Management
- Only take trades that align with ICT setups.
- Improve risk-to-reward discipline (1:2 or better).
✔️ Month 3: Journaling & Strategy Refinement
- Analyze your best and worst trades weekly.
- Adjust strategy based on journal insights.
🔍 Example:
A trader who follows a structured 90-day plan will have a solid foundation, improved execution, and stronger discipline by the end of three months.
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3. Using Demo & Live Trading to Improve
📌 Before trading real money, traders should test strategies in a demo environment.
Demo Trading Phase (1-2 Months):
✔️ Trade only ICT-approved setups (BOS, OB, FVG, liquidity grabs).
✔️ Follow risk management rules (1-2% per trade).
✔️ Journal every trade for review.
Transitioning to Live Trading:
✔️ Start small – Trade with minimum risk.
✔️ Follow your plan exactly – No emotional deviations.
✔️ Gradually scale up – Increase size as confidence grows.
🔍 Example:
A trader who trades successfully in demo for 2 months is ready to transition to live trading with confidence and proper risk control.
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4. Recommended Resources for Ongoing Learning
📌 Learning never stops—keep studying ICT concepts to stay ahead.
Top Free ICT Learning Resources:
✔️ Michael Huddleston (ICT) YouTube Channel – Deep dive into ICT concepts.
✔️ ICT Trading Forums & Discord Groups – Engage with other traders.
✔️ TradingView for Chart Analysis – Practice marking ICT setups.
Best Tools for ICT Traders:
✔️ Forex Factory & Myfxbook – Track news events affecting liquidity.
✔️ Trading Journals (Notion, Excel, Edgewonk) – Organize trade reviews.
✔️ Backtesting Software (TradingView Replay Mode) – Test strategies.
🔍 Example:
A trader who regularly watches ICT videos and engages in discussions is more likely to stay updated and refine their strategy effectively.
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5. Avoiding Common Pitfalls as You Continue Learning
📌 Many traders fail because they repeat common mistakes. Avoid these pitfalls:
🚫 Overtrading – Be selective with ICT setups.
🚫 Ignoring Risk Management – Protect capital at all costs.
🚫 Seeking Shortcuts – ICT trading is a skill that takes time.
🚫 Letting Emotions Control You – Stay disciplined and follow your plan.
🔍 Example:
A trader who overtrades and ignores stop-loss placement will struggle, while a trader who stays patient and disciplined will thrive over time.
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6. Building Your Long-Term Vision as a Trader
📌 Trading is a skill that requires years of practice. Think long-term.
✔️ Master the ICT framework first – Don’t rush advanced strategies.
✔️ Stay consistent – Show up every day, even in slow markets.
✔️ Embrace losses as part of the game – Keep risk low and manage emotions.
🔍 Example:
A trader who focuses on learning, not just making quick money, will have longevity in the markets.
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7. Conclusion & Final Words
📌 Key Takeaways from This Chapter:
✅ Have a 90-day plan – Structure your improvement process.
✅ Start in demo before trading live – Build confidence first.
✅ Use ICT resources – Study free content and stay engaged with the community.
✅ Avoid common trading mistakes – Don’t let emotions or overtrading ruin your progress.
✅ Think long-term – Trading mastery takes time and discipline.
📌 Final Thought:
🎯 You now have the knowledge, structure, and tools to trade the ICT methodology successfully. Your next step is to apply this consistently and refine your skills over time. Stay patient, stay disciplined, and trust the process.
🚀 Best of luck in your trading journey!