To The Moon

I’ve often heard traders say that knowing when to sell is more important than knowing when to buy. The buying part feels exciting—you wait patiently, do your research, and finally pull the trigger. But the selling part? That’s where the real test begins. It requires decisiveness, sometimes even courage.

For me, my take-profit approach started off as mostly gut feeling. If I sensed it was time to take money off the table, I sold. Simple as that. The problem was, I often sold too early. I hated watching unrealized profits shrink, and the idea of seeing them turn into losses was even worse. In a way, I was protecting myself but at the cost of cutting short potential gains.

Over time, I came to respect just how volatile the market can be. A nice green position today can be gone in a flash tomorrow. That realization shaped how I think about taking profit. Sometimes it’s better to secure the win than to risk holding out for more.

That said, not all stocks are equal in my eyes. If I see a company with a strong dividend and I believe it’s still undervalued, I’m far less likely to sell quickly. Those positions I’m willing to hold through the ups and downs because I see the long-term value. On the other hand, if the stock is highly volatile, I lean toward locking in profits sooner rather than later. Volatility can work in my favor, but it can also wipe out gains before I know it.

Looking back, I realize my system is a blend of instinct, patience, and experience. It’s not rigid, and maybe that’s what makes it work for me. It’s less about chasing the perfect exit and more about finding peace with my decisions. Because in the end, a good take-profit strategy isn’t just about making money, it’s about protecting my mindset and trading with confidence.