Summary:

– Core message: failing at trading is usually self-inflicted. Success requires long-term commitment, emotional control, disciplined risk management, and focused study—not chasing quick payouts or social-media image.

– Mindset matters most: accept losses as a “tax” of participation, don’t treat each losing trade as definitive failure, and avoid deadlines or unrealistic expectations. Define your “why” (financial independence, paying tuition, etc.) and keep it front of mind.

– Emotions and timing: don’t trade when emotionally distressed, angry, or overly excited. If nervous or hyped, switch to demo trading. Recognize mood-driven impulses (revenge trading, chasing wins) and stop before they compound losses.

– Journaling and self-feedback: keep a trade journal. After losses, analyze calmly to learn what you missed rather than beating yourself up. Use positive self-talk as reinforcement for progress.

– Risk management and practical practice: start with the smallest possible size (micro lots / one micro contract) in demo to build confidence. Set clear stop levels based on where the idea fails; limit position size even if a funded account allows more.

– Find and stick to a model: identify one price-action model that suits your personality, master it, and avoid constantly switching. Backtest and forward-test for a year minimum to see if trading fits you.

– How to trade (conceptual): focus on predicting where price is likely to draw (liquidity and inefficiency), not on blunt indicators. Use concepts like fair-value gaps, intra-day ranges, and Fibonacci quadrants to anticipate likely targets and trade the high-probability setups.

– Avoid gambling/overleverage: flashy one-off wins from oversized risk are not skill. Consistent profitability comes from discipline, patience, and repeated, measured application of a sound model.
– Community and inputs: filter social media and image-driven content. Don’t let clout-chasing or others’ flashy lifestyles distort your progress or priorities.

– Encouragement and realism: expect setbacks and learning pains; they’re part of the path. If you persist, journal, control risk, and focus on improving, you can reach break-even and beyond—small consistent gains compound into real financial benefit.

Overall: trade like a business—study, backtest, practice small, protect capital, control emotion, and give yourself time to develop.

Quiz

1) According to ICT, what best defines “failing” in trading?
A. Taking a loss in a demo account
B. Blowing out your first live account
C. Deciding you’ll never trade again
D. Not having a trading mentor

2) What practice does ICT call the “number one thing you do” as you climb plateaus in trading?
A. Increase contract size
B. Post wins on social media
C. Log and journal every time you grow
D. Switch to a different market

3) What does ICT advise when your mind is distracted by real-life pain or mood swings?
A. Trade aggressively to feel better
B. Switch to a different strategy immediately
C. Avoid trading entirely until your mind is clear
D. Trade only smaller timeframes

4) For beginners learning to trade ICT’s models, what risk-management trade size does he recommend testing with?
A. 15 contracts
B. One micro contract/lot
C. One mini contract/lot
D. Unlimited leverage for fast learning

5) What does ICT say about consuming social-media image content while learning trading?
A. It’s essential to stay motivated
B. Filter out image/Instagram garbage because it prevents appreciating real progress
C. Follow every trader showing flashy results
D. Only follow people with leased cars and vacations

Answer Key:

1) C. Deciding you’ll never trade again
Evidence: “failing is you’re never doing it again” (transcript ~0:28:26–0:28:41).

2) C. Log and journal every time you grow
Evidence: “the number one thing you do is you log you Journal every time you climb to a new plateau of understanding and growth…” (transcript ~0:04:50–0:05:06).

3) C. Avoid trading entirely until your mind is clear
Evidence: “when it does it [hits you in the head]… you should not be Trading period” and earlier examples about mood swings/pet loss making his mind unclear and inviting bad trades (transcript ~0:52:57–0:53:23 and ~0:06:03–0:06:20).

4) B. One micro contract/lot
Evidence: “use a micro lot one… not a mini… trade with one micro contract” and instructions to use one micro and defined stop levels for learning (transcript ~1:28:01–1:28:25 and ~2:01:21–2:01:56).

5) B. Filter out image/Instagram garbage because it prevents appreciating real progress
Evidence: “the way you avoid failing is you filter what goes into your mind… if you are constantly feeding yourself Instagram garbage… you’re never going to be satisfied with your progress” and “image is nothing obey your thirst” (transcript ~0:47:07–0:47:36 and ~0:48:57–0:49:11).

Summary:

ICT’s main message: “taboo days” (major economic reports and certain Mondays) are high-risk for inexperienced traders and require rules, discipline and experience to trade safely.

Key points
– Taboo days = non-farm payrolls (NFP), FOMC, CPI and Mondays in certain calendar contexts. These events create extreme, fast volatility, broker liquidity changes and manual/algorithmic interventions that make positioning ahead of the release highly dangerous for beginners.
– Rule of thumb for new students (< ~6 months with the method): avoid trading these days and do heavy demo/backtesting instead. Don’t trade ahead of the report; wait for the initial run/measure of manipulation, then trade the post‑run inefficiencies when the market’s intentions are clearer.
– Practical scheduling guidance: on normal NFP weeks (no early-week holiday) look for trades Monday–Tuesday and stop taking new positions after the Wednesday morning session; if there is a Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday holiday that week, avoid trading Monday and target Thursday–Friday instead.
– FOMC specifics: treat it as a two‑stage event—wait through the first run (2:00), then trade during/after the conference phase (often ~2:30) when direction and liquidity become clearer. – Brokers often raise margins and pull liquidity ahead of big reports; you can get margin/stop issues and amplified losses—another reason not to be positioned pre-release.

– Emotional/behavioral advice: losses and high-speed volatility commonly induce panic, hyperventilation and bad decision-making. Use breathing exercises, take breaks after losses, journal trades, and build rules (“training wheels”) that you can remove as experience grows.

– Social media caution: avoid publicizing KPIs and chasing social validation—showboating invites trolling and can derail discipline. Many posted trading results are misleading; focus on private, consistent performance and process. –

Final: experienced traders (including ICT and advanced students) can and do trade these days successfully, but only after they’ve developed the required skill, experience and emotional control.

Bottom line: protect capital and mental state early—learn, demo and apply strict rules; only trade big‑report days once you’ve earned the experience to handle them.

Quiz

1) According to ICT in the transcript, which days does he label as “taboo days” that new traders should generally avoid?
A. All Mondays only
B. Any day with low volatility
C. Taboo days like non‑farm payroll Fridays, FOMC days, CPI days (and certain Mondays)
D. Only holiday market sessions

2) When does ICT say it is acceptable to trade non‑farm payroll Friday?
A. Ahead of the report (position before release)
B. Never — he says to avoid it always
C. After the initial run/first half hour following the release
D. Only during the Asian session

3) What guideline does ICT give for entering new positions during a non‑farm payroll week?
A. Enter new positions any time if you feel confident
B. Only take new positions on Friday morning
C. Be done trading by Wednesday morning session — take no new positions after that
D. Enter positions only during the weekend

4) How does ICT describe the typical structure of a FOMC event?
A. A single, predictable directional spike with no follow‑up
B. A two‑stage event: an initial run at 2:00 (often a fake move), then a possible opposite move during the conference portion around 2:30
C. An event that only affects equities, not FX
D. A quiet event with little movement

5) Why does ICT recommend keeping your trading KPIs/stats private rather than posting them on social media?
A. Because brokers require confidentiality
B. Because social media causes division, invites trolls and external validation which can push you into risky or ego‑driven trading
C. Because public KPIs reduce trading performance by algorithm
D. Because revealing stats will make taxes higher

Answer Key

Q1 — Correct: C Evidence: – “let’s talk about taboo days… taboo days are days where I teach the new students…” [0:03:03–0:03:11] – “non‑farm payroll Fridays, fomc days CPI days you know things like that I try to encourage students to avoid those days” [0:03:30–0:03:38] – “if you’re a new Trader and you’re less than six months in experience … you shouldn’t even consider those days” [0:07:52–0:08:09]

Q2 — Correct: C Evidence: – “you absolutely can trade the non‑farm payroll Friday but it can’t be ahead of the report” [0:09:34–0:09:40] – “after the first half an hour is done I can sit there and trade it the rest of the entirety of the day” [0:06:33–0:06:42]

Q3 — Correct: C Evidence: – “non‑farm payroll Fridays … you need to be done trading by Wednesday morning session take no new positions” [0:12:40–0:12:54] – repeated: “no new trade positions are entered after the morning session on Wednesday” [0:36:55–0:36:01] (see earlier statement at ~0:36:55–0:37:05)

Q4 — Correct: B Evidence: – “FMC [FOMC] is generally A two stage event at two o’clock in the afternoon we wait for that initial run … that first run is generally the fake move” [0:23:52–0:24:05] – “during the conference portion it’ll go the other direction … usually at 2:30” [0:24:24–0:24:36]

Q5 — Correct: B Evidence: – “if you take your kpis or your stats as a Trader and you put them on the Internet … you are asking outside audience members that may or may not have any real interest in you becoming a better Trader … many times they don’t want to see you be a better Trader” [1:05:58–1:06:14] – “social media was instituted to cause division … keep your progress private” and “keep your progress private that’s how you have the Excellence of growth” [1:06:18–1:06:31] and [1:10:15–1:10:22]

Summary:

– ICT recounts coaching his 18-year-old son, who tried and failed multiple funded-account challenges by treating trading like a video game—rushing, overleveraging and pressing the button out of ego or impatience.
– Core lesson: trading is a business of risk management, discipline and self-knowledge, not gambling or showmanship. Emotional triggers (pride, fear, social pressure) cause most account blow-ups.
– Practical coaching points given to the son: tape-read price action, desensitize to execution by practicing small trades, use strict position sizing (e.g., max 1–1.5% risk), accept partials/exits, and journal results to learn patterns.
– Start small and scale: aim for modest, repeatable gains (even $200–$250 per trade or one handle) and compound consistency rather than chasing big, infrequent wins. If a setup can’t be found multiple times intraday at that yield, don’t take outsized risk.
– Funded-account “combines” and demo/demo-challenges can foster reckless behavior; passing them is only the beginning—real skill requires time, backtesting, tape reading and emotional control.
– Cut out social-media noise, ego-driven posting and “gurus.” External validation invites emotion and bad decisions; profitable traders narrow focus, follow a simple repeatable model, and avoid tinkering.
– There are no shortcuts: expect months or a year of disciplined practice to develop competence. Accept mistakes, learn from them, and build discipline over time.
– Motivational close: trading offers huge upside if you commit, manage yourself, and do the hard work—ignore naysayers, be patient, and treat trading as a craft to be mastered.

Quiz

1) According to ICT, what is the maximum percentage of a $50,000 funded account you should risk on a trade?
A. 0.5%
B. 1.5%
C. 5%
D. 10%

2) How does ICT say you should treat trading?
A. Like a video game for practice and fun
B. Like gambling with occasional lucky wins
C. Like a business — you are the CEO and must manage it
D. Like a hobby with no rules

3) What does ICT say about viewing trading as a video game?
A. It’s the best way to desensitize yourself to losses
B. It’s the stupidest idea anybody could ever employ
C. It’s a useful mindset for funded account challenges
D. It’s equivalent to high-frequency algorithmic trading

4) What “low-hanging fruit” per-trade target does ICT recommend beginners consider?
A. $50
B. $250
C. $1,000
D. $5,000

5) What does ICT recommend regarding social media influence on your trading?
A. Invite as many online mentors as possible to speed learning
B. Use social media to publicly share every trade for accountability
C. Block out and minimize social media influence; don’t let “wads” dictate your career
D. Only follow influencers who show large account growth

Answer Key

1) Answer: B. 1.5%
Evidence: “I want you to think about one and a half percent of that that’s the highest you can ever go … you are not allowed to go over one and a half percent” (Timestamp ~0:29:27–0:29:57).

2) Answer: C. Like a business — you are the CEO and must manage it
Evidence: “you have to treat this like a business when you go to work … you are the boss you’re the CEO … you are the human resource manager you’re in charge of everything” (Timestamp ~0:23:41–0:24:14).

3) Answer: B. It’s the stupidest idea anybody could ever employ
Evidence: “that to me is why I think viewing trading as a video game is the stupidest [ __ ] idea anybody could ever employ” (Timestamp ~0:23:10–0:23:16).

4) Answer: B. $250
Evidence: “if you can find a setup that yields 250 dollars … that 250 can be scaled” and earlier he discusses the $244 trade with his son as a meaningful comparison to weekly pay (Timestamps ~1:00:21–1:00:28 and ~0:16:51–0:17:03).

5) Answer: C. Block out and minimize social media influence; don’t let “wads” dictate your career
Evidence: “stop inviting social media [ __ ] wads into your career” and “you have to block out everything … keep the focus on you” (Timestamps ~0:51:44–0:51:53 and ~2:04:12–2:04:21).

ICT—argues that true excellence in trading is not about having more tools or being “right” on every trade, but about how you manage yourself: discipline, patience, risk control, and accepting “enough” rather than perfection. He explains he built many methods early on (to overcome fear), but stresses students should specialize, study deeply (give a model 2–3 months, a year for seasonal perspective), journal, and cocoon themselves from distraction and social-media shortcuts. He warns against quick-fix gurus and chasing every new technique, saying those shortcuts may make money short-term but won’t create long-term, consistently profitable traders. He plans to stop teaching publicly in November to force students to use what they have and become independent. He defends concepts he teaches (PD arrays, order blocks, fair-value gaps, etc.) and says they work when properly applied. He also candidly shares the personal cost of pursuing excellence—sacrifice, failed trades, emotional strain—and urges acceptance of that process. Finally, he issues a broader caution about coming social changes (digital currencies with controls, “climate lockdowns,” rising instability) and urges being prepared and able to earn from home.

Quiz

Q1. How many PD arrays did ICT say he has created and utilized over the years?
A) 12
B) 45
C) 81
D) 120

Q2. When did ICT say he plans to “set sail” / depart from doing this kind of one-on-one content?
A) End of December
B) Second week of November
C) Next January
D) Mid-July

Q3. According to ICT, how long does it take to have “a full Baseline” and some measure of understanding of the marketplace over a calendar year?
A) One month
B) Six months
C) One full year
D) Five years

Q4. ICT states that excellence in trading primarily comes from:
A) Having the right tools and processes
B) Owning many entry methods
C) How the trader handles themself and engages the market
D) Always being perfectly right

Q5. How long does ICT recommend you spend studying a single model/method before judging its effectiveness?
A) A few days
B) Two to three months
C) One week
D) Two years

Answer Key:

1: C
Evidence: “I said well you know I have 81 specific PD arrays that I utilized over the years to frame a entry” (timestamp range: 0:02:06.840 – 0:02:15.480)

2: B
Evidence: “when I you know set sail in the second week of November” (timestamp range: 0:03:54.720 – 0:04:00.840)

3: C
Evidence: “but in one full year you will have a full Baseline” (timestamp range: 0:09:01.080 – 0:09:09.320)

4: C
Evidence: “the Excellence in this industry is not from the tools it’s not from the process … it’s how you as the operator you the traitor handle yourself and engage the market” (timestamp range: 0:05:09.060 – 0:05:27.900)

5: B
Evidence: “you should at least spend at least two to three months with it” (timestamp range: 0:43:45.660 – 0:44:03.900)

Summary:

Key takeaway: holding “big runner” trades is a skill you must earn gradually — it’s not greed but a disciplined progression from small, consistent wins to larger runs. Success depends more on mindset, risk management and framework than on fancy entries or copying others.

Essentials:
– Start small and grow slowly: begin with one contract/lot, prove you can take profits, then incrementally increase size. Don’t jump to max leverage just because it’s available.
– Use partials: take logical partial profits as the trade moves in your favor to lock gains, reduce risk, and desensitize yourself to holding larger remaining positions.
– Have a higher‑timeframe frame of reference: identify higher‑timeframe liquidity/targets (weekly/daily) before aiming for big runs; intraday charts alone won’t justify long holds.
– Consider inter‑market relationships and time of day: choose the instrument most likely to move (the laggard when bearish), and factor algorithmic rotations (e.g., PM session) and opening‑range behavior.
– Strict risk management: trade sizes and stops should protect your capital; funded account rules don’t mean you must use full permitted lots — avoid blowing accounts.
– Manage psychology and distractions: journaling, reviewing video of your trades, and recognizing personal “tells” help you learn when to stop and when to hold. Avoid ego-driven or audience‑driven decisions.
– Trade less, choose quality setups: focus on a few high‑probability trades rather than constant action; consistency (even small, regular wins) is respectable and scalable.
– Long game and realism: expect a prolonged learning curve; conditions improve by gradual conditioning (he estimates many market days of experience). Slow and methodical wins.

Bottom line: identify higher‑timeframe targets, start tiny, take partials, manage risk and mind, and only then gradually scale size — that’s how you reliably capture big runners.

Quiz

1) According to ICT, when you get a funded account you should initially:
A. Use the maximum contracts the firm allows
B. Start with one contract and graduate up slowly
C. Always trade 15 contracts
D. Immediately pyramid to 10 contracts

2) What does ICT identify as the secret to holding big runners and managing trade risk?
A. Doing full-pull entries only
B. Taking partials at logical levels
C. Relying solely on Fibonacci extensions
D. Never using stop losses

3) ICT says before trusting intraday charts to hold a trade for a large run you must have:
A. Only one-minute chart confirmation
B. A higher time frame draw on liquidity (weekly/daily)
C. A pivot point and standard deviation indicator only
D. A news headline to justify the move

4) Around what time does ICT say the algorithm PM session begins (New York local time)?
A. 9:30 AM
B. 12:00 PM
C. About 1:30–1:40 PM
D. 5:00 PM

5) What primary purpose does ICT assign to journaling?
A. To post your best trades on social media
B. To record concerns, cheerlead yourself, and desensitize to outcomes
C. To predict exact future prices
D. To replace demo trading entirely

Answer Key:
Q1: B
Evidence: “so the rules for you to be able to do this is start with one contract when you get funded I don’t give a [__] what company it is” (0:32:11.399–0:32:17.880)

Q2: B
Evidence: “I teach you how to take partials…that’s the secret to holding big ass runners… you’re not doing a full pull” (0:22:56.159–0:23:03.360 and 0:26:44.460–0:26:48.659). Also: “partials are a huge huge benefit” (0:55:51.599–0:55:57.599)

Q3: B
Evidence: “the first thing that you have to understand is that you have to have a higher time frame draw on liquidity” (0:15:24.420–0:15:31.440). And: “you have to at least at the very minimum have some idea on a daily chart what is it reaching for” (0:17:53.520–0:18:01.260)

Q4: C
Evidence: “we know that the algorithm starts its PM session at 1 30 New York local time around 1 40 or so I can’t remember the minute marker but it’s about 140.” (0:38:24.180–0:38:37.280)

Q5: B
Evidence: “journaling is the biggest crutch as a Trader you have to be you have to have it folks… encourage yourself go back in your journal and find a period where you were hitting it… read what you annotated in the charts… that’s where you want to get a high off of that” (1:35:59.880–1:36:07.139 and 1:36:16.739–1:36:28.199)

Speaker (Michael Huddleston / ICT) delivers a long mentoring talk focused on mindset, discipline, and practical guidance for traders. Key points:

– Purpose: Join his community to learn a skill—to make money—not for celebrity, entertainment, or constant novelty.
– Mindset over mechanics: Psychology, discipline, and following rules are primary; execution details (entries, stops) are secondary.
– Be accountable: The “final puzzle piece” is you—your habits, patience, and willingness to apply what you’ve learned.
– Avoid being a “professional student”: Don’t endlessly chase new methods; pick a baseline model, master it, then adapt. He recommends his flagship models (2022 model, Silver Bullet, Optimal Trade Entry) as sufficient.
– Focus and practice: Backtest, journal, rehearse, and trade only when setups match your model—be a sniper, not a market-hopper.
– Profitability, not being right: Measure success by P/L and money management, not by predicting every move.
– Time and patience: Learning takes years (he spent six). Don’t impose unrealistic deadlines; calibrate and aim for excellence.
– Prepare for hard times: Develop multiple income streams and a reliable trading baseline to survive economic stress.
– Critique of others: Beware of incomplete tutorials and “one-trick” teachers; value thorough, tested instruction.
– Platform/context note: He discusses some political/censorship topics off YouTube to avoid losing his main teaching channels and stresses he’ll step back in November so students must be self-reliant.

Actionable takeaway: choose one proven model, study and backtest it diligently, discipline your psychology, focus on consistent profitability, and stop chasing endless new techniques.

Quiz

1. According to ICT, what should be the primary reason you come to his Twitter/YouTube community?
A) To become part of a social group
B) To learn how to make money
C) To make him a celebrity
D) To get free trading signals

2. Which mindset trait does ICT say will prevent someone from being successful as a trader?
A) Patience
B) Needing to be right
C) Discipline
D) Willingness to adapt

3. How many entry models does ICT say he developed while overcoming his fear of entering trades?
A) 12
B) 27
C) 81
D) 150

4. What does ICT say will happen in November (2023) regarding his role/identity?
A) He will start selling merchandise
B) He will launch a new paid signals service
C) He will step back/leave and “turn you loose”; stop being ICT and be Michael
D) He will hire a large team of public influencers

5. What does ICT call the “final puzzle piece” students are waiting for?
A) The last entry model (PD array)
B) The perfect trading indicator
C) The student themselves — looking in the mirror
D) A funded account provider

Answer Key with evidence

Q1 — B) To learn how to make money
Evidence: “you should be here for one reason only to learn how to make money” (00:09:30.120–00:09:42.480)

Q2 — B) Needing to be right
Evidence: “and the ones that try to resist it while learning how to trade they’re not going to be successful and that trait is needing to be right” (00:11:21.180–00:11:30.360)

Q3 — C) 81
Evidence: “and that’s how I have 81 entry models” (00:24:00.360–00:24:10.260)

Q4 — C) He will step back/leave and “turn you loose”; stop being ICT and be Michael
Evidence 1: “because in November 2023 I’m going to Turn You Loose” (00:13:33.420–00:13:37.680)
Evidence 2: “I want to put it down in November I don’t want to be ICT anymore I just want to be Michael and when I leave in November” (00:25:24.659–00:25:30.480)

Q5 — C) The student themselves — looking in the mirror
Evidence: “if you walked over to your mirror right now … that’s the final puzzle piece … it’s always been you” (00:50:34.500–00:50:55.380)