- Published on: 2026-09-11 13:30:00
Trading Psychology: How to Control Your Emotions When Chasing the Leaderboard
In the heat of the TradingPRO 10th Years Anniversary Contest Volume 2, it’s entirely natural for your adrenaline to pump. With a total prize pool of USD 10,000 distributed across 20 winners, watching other traders climb the leaderboard can trigger a rollercoaster of emotions.
However, in the world of forex and CFD trading, your biggest enemy isn't the market movements or the other traders on the leaderboard—it’s your own emotions. Panic, greed, and the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) are often the main culprits behind the ruin of an initially successful contest account.
So, how can you maintain a stable trading psychology in the middle of this campaign? Here is a guide to controlling your emotions while chasing the top spots on the leaderboard.
1. Remember the Rules: Focus on Percentages, Not Massive Lots
A crucial aspect that sets the TradingPRO 10th Anniversary Contest apart from other competitions is its scoring system, which is based on profit percentage (Profit %) rather than absolute raw returns. Because all participants start with the exact same initial real capital of $10 in a dedicated ScalpX account, there is no pressure to use irrational lot sizes.
Many novice traders get emotional and use full margin recklessly when seeing competitors hit high numbers. Stay focused on generating a steady profit percentage and remain disciplined in meeting the minimum volume requirement for standard lot.
2. Avoid Revenge Trading When Your Rank Drops
It hurts when your leaderboard rank suddenly plunges because a position hit a Stop Loss (SL). The first emotional reaction is usually revenge trading—opening new positions with larger lots (like an extreme martingale strategy) to quickly reverse the situation.
While martingale, grid, and hedging strategies are allowed in this contest provided they are used in moderation, executing them out of anger almost always ends in a Margin Call. If you experience a loss, step away from the screen for a moment. Take a deep breath, re-evaluate the market conditions, and re-enter only when there is a clear, objective opportunity.
3. Stop Comparing Your Process to Others
The leaderboard is designed to show who is currently leading, but that doesn't mean you have to copy their trading style. You don't know what strategy or risk appetite other participants are using behind their profit percentages. Constantly comparing yourself will only trigger FOMO.
Trust your own trading plan. You can monitor the leaderboard to gauge target points, but your execution on MetaTrader 5 (MT5) must remain rooted in objective technical and fundamental analysis.
4. Take Advantage of the Contest's Flexibility
If emotions have already taken over and your first account suffers irrecoverable losses, don't let frustration end your journey. TradingPRO offers flexibility: participants are allowed to open a new contest account if their previous one is eliminated during the contest period (1 September - 2 October 2026). Use this opportunity to start fresh with a clearer mind and better psychology.
5. Set a Time Limit for Checking the Leaderboard
Constantly refreshing the leaderboard page in the Client Portal will only increase your anxiety. Set a strict schedule for example, check the rankings only twice a day (morning and night). Dedicate the rest of your energy to focusing on the charts of your trading instruments, whether that's forex currency pairs or Gold.
Stay Disciplined Until the End!
This competition is a marathon, not a sprint. Traders with the strongest mental fortitude who can maintain their trading psychology will have a much better chance of taking home the first place prize of USD 3,500.
Haven't joined yet, or want to try your luck again with a calmer mind? Visit the official TradingPRO website and register for the contest through the client portal.
Click here to open your account today!
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