Are You Really Working Hard Enough as a Swing Trader? Here’s the Truth

Today’s post is for every swing trader who’s ever stared at the wall, wondering if sitting on your hands is “hard work.” But first, let’s give the stage to someone who sent in their honest struggle:

If you just read that and thought, “That’s me,” this post is for you. And I’m not sugarcoating, just real talk, the TradeDelicious way.

The Problem Is Guilt… In Disguise

You’ve got a plan. You know your setups. You’ve read the books, watched the videos, heard the podcasts. You sit, you wait, and then… guilt kicks in. Shouldn’t you be doing MORE? You are being lazy. More screens, more analysis, more… something?

No. That’s the trap. The world outside trading screams, “Work harder!” Instagram and TikTok is full of day traders promoting the none stop “grind.” In swing trading, more is almost always less. Less money, less discipline, less sanity.

Waiting Is The Work

Here’s the part nobody tells you or even remotely gets close to telling you. Sitting around and doing nothing most of the time, that’s swing trading. Your “job” is to wait for your trade, then take money from the market when the setup appears. Period.

It feels lazy. But it’s discipline, not laziness, that separates the consistent traders from everyone else. Most blow up because they get bored and force a trade to feel productive.

Your market edge isn’t built by busywork. Clicking buttons out of guilt isn’t work, it’s self-sabotage.

The Urge To Do “More”

This industry loves the grind. You see people posting ten-monitor setups, streaming their blink rate on social, and you wonder: “Am I being lazy?”

No. Most of trading is just boring. If it isn’t, you’re probably doing too much. Truth is, most people who make money from trading non-stop are brokers.

You Must Bust the “Work Harder” Myth

Here's what “working harder” actually looks like for swing traders:

• Create a rock-solid plan.

• Follow YOUR setups.

• Wait.

• Wait longer.

• Wait.

• Log what you feel and do while you wait, not just the trades.

Anything outside your plan is busywork. Or worse, it’s danger.

How To Feel “Enough” When Doing Less

Now, Swing trading messes with your head. Sitting there doing nothing looking at a screen, especially if you are in a drawdown is a very difficult thing to do. We aren’t raised to sit there and do nothing. So here’s how you win:

1. Trust Your Plan.
   If you’ve done your backtesting (right?), you know what a good setup is. Don’t outsmart yourself.

2. Set Alerts and Leave the Screen!
   Have your system tell you when there’s work to do. Staring at candles is not work.

3. Journal the Boredom.
   Yep. Write down every time you want to force a trade. You’ll see a pattern, the itch comes at the same time.

4. Measure Discipline, Not Trades.
   Did you skip bad setups? That’s a win. Zero trades can be a perfect week.

What Actually Matters

Ask yourself:

• Did I follow my plan today?

• Did I only trade my setup?

• Did I sit through pain, not knowing what comes next, and still stick to my rules?

If yes, you’re doing the REAL hard work. More trades don’t mean more profit. You get paid for patience, not for effort.

The Boredom Is The Job

Feeling guilty for doing “nothing” is normal. But “nothing” is often exactly what you should be doing. Most people lose money trying to look busy. You can be different.

So, to Hamza (and anyone else feeling stuck)…
You aren’t lazy. You’re just learning what real discipline feels like. Stick to your plan. Sit on your hands. The market pays those who trade less, not more.

Final Word: If you’re following your plan and only trading what you’re supposed to, you are working hard enough. Don’t let guilt trick you into overtrading. The best swing traders do less and make more.

Stay patient. Stay disciplined. Stay delicious.