8 years ago, I worked the night shift at an electronics factory in Bac Ninh Industrial Zone, lived in a room with 8 people, ate a meal for 20,000 VND but had to think twice about wanting an extra egg.

Monthly salary of 6 million, doing various side jobs to save a little money. It took me three years to save up 150 million – a small capital but all of my sweat and youth time.

No one expected that three years later, I could hold the keys to two apartments and my investment account continuously increasing. But don't think that's magic – I rose up after three painful falls, and even now, I still feel a chill down my spine when I remember.

1. The First Fall: Fear Made Me Sell at the Bottom

The first time stepping into the market, I had just bought a coin for a short time when it rose 20%. I was excited for a few hours, then the price started to drop.

The fear of losing capital made me immediately sell off. Unexpectedly… two days later it continued to rise by 50%.

I stood looking at the chart, feeling numb, as if I was slapping myself.

After that, I understood a truth: Rapid increases followed by slight corrections are not risk signals. That’s how the “sharks” shake off weak hands.

If your mindset is not steady, you will always sell at the worst point.

2. The Second Fall: Thinking Hot Trend is Gold, Turns Out to be a Knife

Later, I began to chase hot coins. Once, a coin was at a high price but had been flat for a long time. I was confident because I saw “there was still strength”.

A fatal mistake.

The trading volume dropped sharply for several days, but I was complacent. A week later, the price literally broke in half – my 30 million evaporated as if it never existed.

At that moment, I finally understood:

  • High prices with no liquidity = drowning.

  • Low volume like a calm lake means: smart money has withdrawn long ago.

From there, I set rules for myself: In high zones, I must look at the volume – if there is no cash flow, withdraw immediately.

3. The Third Fall: Mistaking Technical Reactions for Real Bottoms

This is the most painful fall.

A coin drops 25%, then bounces back 10%. I thought the bottom was formed, eagerly going all in.
But no… that was just a rebound to “lure people in”.

The price continues to fall uncontrollably, and I’ve been stuck for 6 months.

Until I learned that: the true bottom does not appear after a rebound.

But appears when:

✔ Volume drops sharply (contracts)
✔ Prices are tightly sideways
✔ 3 consecutive days with green candles and increased volume

Last year, Bitcoin appeared in this exact pattern. I placed an order.
Half a year later, my account tripled – that’s when I understood the meaning of the two words "discipline".

What Takes Me Far: Not Being Smart – But Knowing "Not to Be Stubborn"

Now I only believe in two things:

1. Believe in the volume – don’t believe in rumors

Prices can be manipulated, inflated, or driven down.
But cash flow cannot be hidden.

2. Not greedy – not afraid – not all in

I always keep at least 30% of my capital to prepare for unexpected opportunities.
No FOMO, no bottom fishing without sufficient signals.

Message for Newcomers to the Market

If you are:

  • The trade that makes my hands shake

  • Seeing the coin red makes me panic

  • Seeing the coin green makes me anxious to jump in

  • I feel like I'm always buying at the peak – selling at the bottom

Then remember the 3 things I learned from my hard-earned money:

– Keep a steady mindset

– Monitor the volume before looking at the price

– Not greedy – not afraid – not all in

Slow but steady wins in the long run. Going fast without discipline will eventually lead the market to teach you a lesson you will remember for life.

If you are feeling stuck in trading, need more foundational knowledge, a proper strategy, or to update news earlier than others…

👉 Follow me @blogtienso – I share practical experience, no frills, no deification.