What Day Trading Taught Me About Business, Risk and Decision-Making

Zak Rehan

“Day trading has helped me develop real-world business and decision-making skills. This website shares what I’ve learned, how it challenged me, and how those lessons connect directly to the skills needed for my next challenge ”

My Interest in Business & Trading

  • Dream it.

    My interest in business started during college, where I studied A-Levels in Business, Economics and Accounting. I was always curious about how organisations operate, how financial decisions are made, and how strategy can affect performance. Day trading gave me the chance to put some of that theory into practice — helping me understand how decision-making, risk, and analysis work in a real-world setting.

    It also challenged me to manage pressure, stay focused, and reflect on both successes and mistakes — all of which are valuable skills in any business environment.

  • Build it.

    Trading helped me turn theory into experience. It challenged me to stay focused, take responsibility for decisions, and keep learning from every outcome.

  • Grow it.

    Taking part in day trading wasn’t just about learning how markets work — it taught me real lessons about business, mindset, and decision-making. These are lessons I believe apply far beyond trading, especially in any professional environment.

Build It

Stock tracking

  • This is my main platform for executing trades. It’s easy to use, and it gives me access to a range of assets, including stocks and commodities.

  • For charting and analysis, TradingView is my go-to. It’s got loads of technical indicators that help me spot trends and decide when to make a move.

  • I’ve built a network of fellow traders through platforms like Discord and X. Connecting with other traders helps me stay in the loop with the latest market trends and get different perspectives on trading strategies.

Results

  • Every trade had a clear outcome, which helped me build accountability. I learned to treat results as feedback, not failure, and used them to improve my decision-making over time.

  • I studied charts, trends, and indicators like moving averages and RSI to make informed trading decisions. This built my attention to detail and gave me a more structured, analytical approach.

  • I explored how wider economic events, news, and data affected market behaviour. This taught me to think more broadly and understand how external factors influence business decisions.

Skills Gained

  • Day trading helped me develop a practical understanding of risk and reward. I learned how to assess whether a trade was worth taking by weighing up the potential gain against what I could lose. This made me more disciplined and helped me avoid making decisions based on impulse. It also taught me the importance of setting clear targets and limits — something that’s essential in any business environment.

  • Markets move quickly, and decisions often need to be made in real time. I had to stay calm, analyse the data in front of me, and make logical choices even when things were unpredictable. This has strengthened my ability to stay focused under pressure — a skill that I know is valuable in fast-paced workplaces.

  • Each trading session required me to prepare in advance, stay alert, and act quickly when opportunities appeared. This helped me improve my time management, particularly when juggling trading with college work. I learned how to prioritise tasks and remain flexible — adapting when things didn’t go to plan.

  • After every session, I made notes on what went well and what didn’t. By tracking my trades, I could spot patterns in my decision-making and find areas for improvement. This habit of recording and reflecting has improved my attention to detail and has shown me the value of reviewing performance regularly — something I’d carry into any administrative or operational role.

  • Not every trade went as expected, and that taught me to reflect honestly and adapt my approach over time. Whether it was adjusting the timing of a trade or rethinking my risk limits, I learned to take feedback from outcomes and use it to improve. This mindset of continuous learning and adaptability is something I would bring into my apprenticeship and future career.

Grow it

Key Lessons Learned

What Day Trading Taught Me

These lessons have helped shape the way I approach challenges and opportunities. They’re also part of the mindset I would bring to bring to my next role.

  • I realised quickly that success in trading doesn’t come from guessing — it comes from sticking to a plan. Discipline helped me avoid rushing into trades and taught me to think before I act. In business, having structure and sticking to processes is just as important.

  • When things didn’t go to plan, I didn’t see it as failure — I saw it as feedback. Reviewing what went wrong and why helped me get better. I’ve learned that reflecting on mistakes is just as valuable as celebrating wins, and it’s something I now do in every area of my life.

  • Markets are unpredictable — just like the real world. I couldn’t always control what happened, but I could control how I reacted. This taught me resilience, patience, and how to make thoughtful decisions even under pressure.

  • In trading, one small mistake can cost you — but consistent, careful choices can build long-term results. That made me more aware of how small daily habits and decisions can shape bigger outcomes, whether in business or personal development.

Transferrable Skills

“Through day trading, I’ve developed a range of practical skills that I believe would transfer well into my next role — particularly in business and finance, where organisation, attention to detail and decision-making are key.”

— Zak Rehan

These skills aren’t just things I’ve studied — they’re things I’ve put into practice. I’m ready to apply them in a real business environment, and to keep building on them.

  • Planning trades, keeping records, and reviewing outcomes taught me how to structure my time and stay on top of multiple tasks. These habits would help me manage priorities, meet deadlines, and stay organised in a busy business support role.

  • Whether explaining a trade idea or writing up a trade review, I’ve learned to communicate clearly and with purpose. I’d apply the same communication style when writing emails, producing reports, or supporting colleagues across different departments.

  • In trading, one small oversight can cost you. I’ve developed a careful, detail-focused approach — something that’s important when handling documentation, working with data, or supporting administrative processes.

  • Every trade involves making decisions based on evidence and logic. I’ve learned to weigh up pros and cons quickly, assess risks, and make informed choices — just as I would when working in a team to solve a problem or improve a process.

  • Analysing charts, market trends and trade outcomes has helped me build a more analytical mindset. I enjoy looking at how systems work and thinking about how to improve them — a skill I’d bring into project support, planning, or reporting roles.

Values

“Things I’ve learned to value through experience”

  • I’ve learned the importance of taking responsibility — for my decisions, my time, and my performance. In trading, you’re accountable for every move. That’s helped me build integrity and take ownership, which I know is essential in a business environment where trust matters.

  • While trading is often independent, I’ve worked in teams during assessment centres and at work (like at Skechers), where I’ve had to support others and keep tasks moving. I know how to listen, adapt, and contribute to group success.

  • Trying different strategies, learning from outcomes, and adjusting my approach has helped me become more creative in problem solving. I’m not afraid to ask questions, try something new, and find better ways of doing things — especially when it improves results.

  • Putting your own ideas into practice takes confidence. Day trading challenged me to back myself, make informed choices, and accept risk when I believed in the outcome. That mindset carries over into how I approach challenges and opportunities in life.

  • Success in trading — and in business — depends on staying consistent and not getting distracted. I’ve built a focused approach to my goals, whether it’s preparing for an apprenticeship or managing tasks under pressure.

This experience has helped me grow both personally and professionally. It’s shown me the importance of discipline, critical thinking, and staying calm under pressure — all of which I’m ready to carry forward into a business environment.

I’m genuinely excited about my next opportunity. I believe my skills, mindset and work ethic would make me a valuable part of the team — and I’m ready to keep learning, contribute to real-world projects, and grow within an organisation.

“I’m not just looking for a role — I’m looking to build a career. I’m ready to learn, contribute, and grow.”

— Zak Rehan