Rule #12: Taking a break after passing a two-phase verification - why it’s essential
Achieving success in the world of prop trading is a process that requires not only technical skills but, more importantly, the right psychological approach. The break between passing the two-step verification and starting to trade on a ProTrader account—where profits are withdrawn based on performance fees—is crucial for effectiveness and long-term success. This is not just a formality but an opportunity to create a psychological "reset" after the challenging verification phase.
Why do emotions after verification - affect trading so strongly?
Completing the two-step verification process is a moment filled with many emotions—joy, relief, and often a sense of victory. The problem is that, for many traders, passing verification becomes an informal "final goal" rather than just another step on the path to success—a small milestone on that journey. As a result, many begin to act irrationally and take unnecessary risks.
Statistics show that a significant number of traders change their approach to trading to a much riskier one after passing verification. Why does this happen? Two key psychological mechanisms play a role:
- Relief after achieving a goal
After days, weeks, or even months (depending on the individual) of stress tied to passing verification, many traders fall into the trap of thinking, "The worst is behind me; now I can relax and make quick money." This sense of relief often leads to a relaxation of discipline, resulting in excessive risk-taking. - Euphoria and overconfidence
Passing verification makes a trader feel like a winner. Who among us hasn’t experienced the feeling of "I did it!" after completing verification? However, trading on a funded account is a completely different stage—it requires a new mindset, often even greater discipline than during the verification phase. Overconfidence from past success leads traders to break their rules, chasing quick and spectacular profits.
Why is a break between verification and ProTrader trading so crucial?
A break after passing verification allows a trader to take a step back and undergo a psychological "detox." This is the time to:
1. Analyze the verification process
Reflect on your actions during verification. What worked? What didn’t? What emotions surfaced most often, and how did you respond to them? Such analysis helps identify strengths and weaknesses, which can be critical for the next stage.
2. Set new goals
Passing verification marks the end of one phase but the beginning of another. A break gives you the time to define new goals—realistic, measurable, and time-bound. This avoids the mistake of thinking everything must happen immediately.
3. Regulate emotions
The verification phase is stressful. Taking a break helps reduce tension, calm down, and approach trading on a funded account with a clear mind.
The trap of "quick profits" after verification
One of the biggest mistakes traders make is attempting to achieve high results in a very short time. Many, feeling relief after verification, increase their risk, trying to make 5–10% in a single session. This behavior drastically differs from the strategy that allowed them to pass the verification process. If a specific approach enabled you to complete the two-step verification, why change it?
Why does this happen?
- Change in risk approach
During verification, traders often employ rigorous risk management, knowing that every careless trade could result in failure. After verification, many "let go" and take riskier moves, leading to losses. - Lack of long-term perspective
Instead of viewing trading as a process spanning hundreds of steps, traders start thinking in terms of short-term gains. This results in impulsive decisions that accumulate into significant problems over time. - Financial pressure and expectations
After verification, many traders feel pressure to quickly prove their worth—to themselves and to the funding company. This pressure causes them to act against their principles and strategy.
How to avoid mistakes after verification?
1. Take a break
After passing verification, take a break from trading for at least one day or even a few days. During this time, analyze your past actions, set new goals, and rethink your strategy for the next stage.
2. Reduce risk
Instead of increasing risk after moving to a funded account, lower it. Trading on an account where you can withdraw profits is a completely new situation—the key is to slowly build results, not rush for quick profits.
3. Stick to the rules
Success in verification stemmed from strictly adhering to rules. The same principles must be followed on a funded account. Acting based on strategy rather than emotions is fundamental to long-term success.
4. Change your mindset
Trading on a funded account is not a reward but a tool to achieve your dreams. It’s the beginning of the journey, not the end. The key is patience and consistency.
Prop trading as a test of character
Prop trading is a unique field because it requires not only technical skills but also strong character. Success doesn’t come from one-time spectacular gains but from patience, consistency, and the ability to regulate emotions.
The break between passing verification and starting to trade on a funded account can determine a trader's future. Use it wisely—instead of succumbing to euphoria, prepare for the next stage with a clear mind and a plan for long-term success. Prop trading is a marathon, not a sprint. Every step matters, and every mistake is a lesson worth learning. Ideally, you should learn from the mistakes made during the verification stages rather than making them after blowing a funded account.
