In 2025, markets have delivered a potent reminder that overconfidence and neglecting risk are among an investors deadliest enemies. Earlier this year, sweeping tariff announcements triggered a global equity rout, followed by a rapid rebound and renewed volatility. Such whipsaw action highlights the danger of repeating the same mistakes many retail traders make—mistakes that seasoned professionals actively guard against. The Allure of Leverage and Overtrading One of the most insidious mistakes is overleveraging: deploying too much capital into a single position based on conviction rather than working capital considerations. In futures or margin-based trades, leverage can turn small losses into large drawdowns overnight. Closely tied is overtrading, often born from emotional impulses or desp