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Why Inconsistency Is Killing Retail Traders: The Power of Process in ITPM Trading
- The Institute Trader
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Welcome to the Harsh Reality of Retail Trading
Let’s be real—most retail traders don’t have a process. What they have is hope, mixed with FOMO, topped with a sprinkle of conspiracy theories. And that cocktail? It’s a surefire way to blow up your account.
Time and time again, you see it: people ask what to do in a trade, but they haven’t taken the time to get properly educated. They’re glued to YouTube “gurus,” obsessing over flashy indicators, market noise, and headlines that don’t matter—then scratching their heads when their results make no sense.
The truth is simple: random process = random results. Period.
The Chaos of Inconsistency
Retail traders are sporadic—one week they’re trading breakouts, the next they’re into moving average crossovers, then it’s crypto, then it’s options. There’s no foundation. No framework. Just noise.
They’re glued to YouTube “gurus,” obsessing over flashy indicators, market noise, and headlines that don’t matter—then scratching their heads when their results make no sense.
This kind of behavior creates inconsistencies, which lead directly to randomness in trading performance. And guess what? If you’re trading randomly, you’re not a trader—you’re just a gambler in disguise.
Without a repeatable process, you can’t expect consistent results. It’s like showing up at the gym once a month and expecting to get shredded. Not gonna happen.
What ITPM & Anton Kreil Teach: Education First, Execution Later
This is where Anton Kreil and the Institute of Trading and Portfolio Management (ITPM) come in. Their core message? Don’t even think about trading until you have the right education.
“If you want to be successful in the financial markets, the first thing you must do is get educated properly. Without that, you’re just guessing.”– Anton Kreil
Anton Kreil has made it clear: trading is not about tips, tricks, or technical hacks—it’s about having a structured process backed by institutional-grade knowledge.
That means:
Understanding macro and micro environments
Doing top-down and bottom-up analysis
Building a thesis for every trade
Knowing when and why you’re allocating capital
If you’re not doing these things, then how can you honestly say you’re putting the odds in your favor? If you can’t answer that question… you’re basically gambling.
Top-Down + Bottom-Up = Real Edge
Let’s break that down.
Top-Down Analysis: Start with the big picture. What’s going on with macroeconomics, interest rates, sectors, and themes? Where’s the money flowing?
Bottom-Up Analysis: Once you’ve identified a strong theme or sector, dig into individual names. Which stocks are showing relative strength? What does the financial data say? Are institutions positioning here?
This two-step approach filters out the noise. You’re no longer chasing shiny objects or trying to be the smartest person in the room. Instead, you’re following the trail of money, just like the institutions do.
The Biggest Retail Trading Problem: Instant Gratification
One of the most dangerous mindsets in retail trading is:
“I want it all now… or not at all.”
This mentality is completely backwards. Trading is a grind. You have to show up every single day, even when you don’t feel like it. It’s about logging data, analyzing trades, managing risk, and sticking to your edge—even when it’s boring.
Consistency is the price of admission.You don’t get to pick and choose when you feel like being disciplined. You either are, or you’re not.
Stop Chasing Conspiracies. Start Following the Money.
Another major trap? Wasting time on things that don’t matter.
You’ve seen it before—people diving deep into conspiracy rabbit holes, obsessing over shadowy cabals and hidden signals, thinking they know something the market doesn’t.
Here’s the reality: the market doesn’t care about your theories. What it does care about is where money is flowing, and why.
The better use of your energy? Watch institutional behavior:
Sector rotations
Volume spikes
Options flow
Price leadership and strength
These are the real breadcrumbs left by the big players. Follow them.
Institutions Move Markets — Not Your Reddit Thread
Retail traders love to think they’re fighting the system and outsmarting Wall Street. But the reality is… institutions move prices, not your 10k follower X account.
Your job as a trader isn’t to outthink the market. It’s to observe and identify opportunities when institutions begin positioning. That’s when the real alpha gets unlocked.
How do you do that?
Scan for relative strength in names within leading sectors
Watch for high-conviction accumulation
Look at volume and price action on key breakout levels
Understand the macro environment that supports that move
If you’re not thinking this way… again, you're gambling.
Build a Process. Build Performance.
Here's what a real trading process should look like:
Education First – Study ITPM or another reputable source. Get a grip on how markets actually work.
Top-Down Analysis – Start from macro themes and drill down to sectors.
Bottom-Up Research – Select names showing relative strength and institutional accumulation.
Build a Thesis – Know why you’re buying, what your edge is, and what needs to happen for you to stay in the trade.
Track Everything – Journaling. Trade reviews. Metrics. The whole nine yards.
Repeat with Discipline – Even when it's boring. Especially when it’s boring.
What Anton Kreil Would Say About Your Trading
Anton Kreil puts it bluntly:
“If you want to be successful in the financial markets, the first thing you must do is get educated properly. Without that, you’re just guessing.”
That’s the brutal truth. And it’s exactly why education and process are non-negotiable if you want to survive, let alone thrive, in the markets.
Final Thoughts: Stop Dreaming. Start Grinding.
Trading success isn’t about magic indicators, signals, or guessing what Powell will say next week. It’s about showing up, executing a process, and stacking probabilities in your favor over time.
If you're tired of getting random results, it's time to stop being random.
Get educated. Build your framework. Follow the money. And if you need a place to start, check out ITPM and listen to Anton Kreil. It might just change the way you see the markets—and yourself.
👉 See my reviews on my site: www.theinstitutetrader.com
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