PNL OR ZERO Pure trading is dangerous - because you're only paid for results. Max results In other endeavours, you get rewarded for participation and skill acquisition - because there are avenues to earn with your skill while structure & capital is provided by others - i.e. a job, content creation, lecturing, etc. Example: A software engineer will be paid if he can display skill, he doesn't have to build a working product to earn. He can work on a section of the product and still be rewarded handsomely. Trading isn’t like that. In trading, you’re paid nothing unless you win. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. Your skills can be truly great. Narrative recognition, wallet tracking, TA etc. But your only hindrance could be your emotions. And because of that, you’re seen as not good enough - or worse, you view yourself as a failure - just because the results (profits) aren’t there yet. To make it worse, your success can be erased in seconds - a single liquidation event (10-10-25 is an example), a black swan, or a small tilt episode can wipe out weeks or months of good trading. The above observations makes trading, as a full-time, all-in career path, extremely dangerous to your longevity and sustainability - especially if you haven’t secured “f*ck you money” (let’s say mid-7 figures or 8). These are thoughts I have pondered on and even written an article about but it is in your interest that I double down for your understanding. What is the point? My point extends over a longer timeframe - five years or more - for those of you planning to stick around for the long haul. If your earning capacity in crypto comes solely from trading, especially after spending time developing the skills to navigate the blockchain, then you’re setting yourself up for existential failure. One hack. One error. One emotional spiral. And you're back to zero. No plan B. What is the counter? I love trading but I have thought of my participation in Crypto over a longer timeframe. The ultimate goal is to get paid for my process & skills in crypto- and trading becomes an avenue to multiply these funds. I have two degrees that correlate strongly to crypto. I do not plan to let them go to waste. Some of you are highly talented - artists, communicators, teachers, motion graphic designers, software engineers etc but you have never thought of a way to integrate these skills into your crypto journey. This is your cue to map out a longer timeframe plan. CREATE A CRYPTO RESUME BY ALL MEANS POSSIBLE. There are jobs in crypto, there are also jobs you can create for yourself in crypto. Its a longer timeframe plan so you don't need to rush it. But you need to display it while you trade up your net-worth. | You're an artist? Make art. Post it. Offer to create for a project - even for free. | You can explain things well? Make educational content - written or visual. | You can code? Build something. Make tools. Open source them. | You're philosophical? Post your ideas. Start writing. | You’re naturally curious or interesting? Start a podcast. Doesn’t have to be weekly - just publish something. | You're funny? Shitpost. | You're a finance guy? Break down tokenomics. Simplify complex things. Value attracts financial reward - especially when you’re not actively chasing it. Having zero evidence of your skills outside of trading is dangerous. There are many ways to get paid in crypto, but it starts with providing value. Also, you can just apply for jobs. That experience will compound and set you up for even bigger six-figure roles down the line. Your trading layer needs to be solid regardless as trading is the ultimate skill - but it’s for multiplication, not survival. Set up for the future. HIGHER TIMEFRAMES. Build value beyond your PNL. Love, Waller.