Overview: Allan B went from a confused trader to a disciplined investor by using SPA3. By following objective rules, building good habits, and focusing on long-term growth, he achieved profitability with over 30 percent increase in his US account within months.
Allan B’s trading journey is a story of transformation. He went from being an overwhelmed and experimental trader to a disciplined and confident, mechanical investor.
For years, Allan tried different strategies, instruments, and processes. He read countless books and watched numerous webinars. But despite all his efforts, he still struggled to achieve profitability.
That changed when he discovered SPA3 and fully embraced the psychological aspect required to follow a rules-based system. Today, Allan has achieved profitability, including over 30 percent increase in his US account in just a few months.
His story matters because it shows that success in trading comes from structure, discipline, and a long-term approach.
The Problem: Trading Without a Backtested System
Allan's Early Approach
When Allan started trading six years ago, he did everything. He read every book he could find, attended courses, watched countless webinars, and spent hours on YouTube learning from gurus and experts. He tried to absorb as much knowledge as possible.
Allan experimented with many strategies and instruments. He traded forex, CFDs, indices, and commodities, risking his real money to test his ideas. That’s because he believed that hands-on experience would teach him faster than theory alone.
For several years, he was constantly searching for a system that would finally give him an edge.
Yet, despite his efforts, Allan never had a consistent plan. He jumped from one strategy to another, never committing to a single approach. This constant experimentation created stress and uncertainty, leaving him frustrated and unable to trust his own decisions.
The Consequences of Trading Without Data
Trading without a backtested system cost Allan. He experienced many challenges, including:
- Inconsistency: Results varied wildly from one trade to the next. Without a backtested system, there was no profitability.
- Emotional stress: Trading real money without verified rules leads to fear, second-guessing, and anxiety.
- Agonizing decision-making: Every trade felt like a high-stakes choice, leaving Allan mentally exhausted when making a decision.
- No trust in signals or setups: Without historical proof, he could never fully believe in the trades he took.
- Slow progress: Years of effort brought little reward because his approach relied on trial and error, not data-driven decisions.
These challenges created a vicious cycle. The more Allan experimented, the less confidence he had. The less confidence he had, the harder it became to follow through.
Turning Point
Allan’s breakthrough came when he discovered SPA3. He realised that successful trading required a system live-traded over decades. Seeing a process that had been backtested over 20 to 30 years gave him clarity and confidence he had never experienced before.
Meeting the Share Wealth Systems team was another critical moment. Allan saw the research behind the system; he asked important questions and understood how it worked regardless of market conditions. This face-to-face experience reinforced his trust and helped him fully commit to the method.
Once Allan focused on following the SPA3 without deviation, he began seeing results. His US account grew over 30 percent in just a few months, proving the value of consistent, rules-based trading. The stress and uncertainty that plagued his early years were replaced with confidence and structure.
The Psychological Shift: Discipline and Mindset
The Influence of Mark Douglas
Allan credits much of his success to the lessons of Mark Douglas. Douglas became a hero figure for Allan, showing that psychology is as important as strategy in trading. Allan also learned that knowing a system is not enough; you must trust and follow it consistently. By internalising this lesson, Allan began to see that the right mindset is the key to turning a good system into profitability.
Doing the First Trades
One lesson from Douglas that had a huge impact was the importance of taking the first 25 trades exactly as the system dictated.
For Allan, this meant executing trades flawlessly. He realised that only through practice could he build trust in the system. By completing these trades, he developed a rhythm and a sense of reliability that replaced the fear and uncertainty from his early trading years.
Habits from James Clear
Allan also learned valuable lessons from James Clear on habit formation and behaviour design. Clear’s approach helped Allan build systematic routines that supported consistent trading.
Some of the habits Allan adopted include:
- Following rules without deviation – Taking every signal the system provides.
- Daily review of trades – Recording results and learning from mistakes.
- Incremental progress – Focusing on small, consistent actions rather than chasing huge wins.
By turning these principles into habits, Allan fostered an approach that produced predictable outcomes. Habits became the backbone of his trading success.
Overcoming Biases
Allan discovered that psychological biases were a major obstacle early in his trading journey. He had to overcome fear, ego, and the tendency to chase perfection. He also learned that no single trade or bad experience should define his overall strategy.
Key lessons he embraced include:
- There is no holy grail – Success comes from consistency, not the perfect system.
- Letting go of fear from losses – Understanding that losses are part of trading.
- Keeping an open mind – Being willing to change beliefs when evidence supports it.
- Separating ego from action – Focusing on rules-based signals rather than news or trends.
By addressing these biases, Allan was able to trade calmly and follow the system with confidence.
What Worked: Simplicity, Long-Term Focus & Compounding
Leaving Short-Term Trading Behind
Allan realised that short-term trading was not for him. Trading CFDs, forex, and other fast-moving instruments caused stress and constant worry. Every trade felt high-stakes, and he found himself second-guessing decisions. The short-term focus kept him in a cycle of anxiety, preventing him from trusting his approach.
Simplicity became the key. By narrowing his focus to a single, reliable system, Allan saw clearly what to do and when. He no longer needed to chase every market idea or analyse countless indicators. This clarity reduced stress and allowed him to trade with purpose rather than reaction.
Choosing SPA3
Allan decided to focus on SPA3, a mechanical, rules-based system. The system’s simplicity and structure gave him confidence.
He followed signals for large US stocks and ETFs, including IVV, the S&P 500. By taking trades exactly as the system recommended, Allan removed emotion and doubt from the decision-making process.
The mechanical approach also allowed him to trust the process better. He no longer worried about market noise or short-term fluctuations. Instead, he followed the rules and let the edge of the system play out over time.
This shift was a major factor in achieving consistent returns.
The Compounding Story
One of the most rewarding parts of Allan’s journey was applying his knowledge to his family. He bought IVV shares for his grandchildren and encouraged them to contribute a small amount every year. This small, consistent action allowed the power of compounding to work over decades.
“If you do this for over 40 years, it becomes millions.”
This approach not only taught them a valuable financial lesson but also showed Allan firsthand how patience and long-term focus could grow wealth steadily. Compounding became more than a concept; it became a life lesson Allan could pass on.
By leaving short-term trading behind, focusing on a single mechanical system, and embracing compounding, Allan found a method that worked for him consistently and reliably.
Continuous Learning & Open-Mindedness
Always Learning Despite Success
Even after achieving profitability with SPA3, Allan understands that the markets are always changing, and there is always more to learn. Success has not made him complacent. Instead, he continues to study, read, and observe new developments, knowing that continuous learning is essential to long-term success.
Exploring Systems Without Abandoning SPA3
Allan is open to exploring other trading systems and ideas, but he would never abandon SPA3. He treats it as the foundation of his portfolio while experimenting with smaller, side trades. This balance allows him to stay innovative and flexible while maintaining the structure that enabled him profitability.
Accepting Uncertainty: ‘Anything Can Happen’
A key part of Allan’s mindset is accepting uncertainty. He understands that in trading, anything can happen. No system can predict the market perfectly. By embracing this reality, Allan remains prepared for a wide range of outcomes. Accepting uncertainty reduces fear, prevents rash decisions, and reinforces discipline.
Action Over Knowledge (Douglas’ Principle)
Allan also follows Mark Douglas’s principle that action matters more than knowledge. He knows that learning alone does not produce results. Only by executing trades according to the system can he build trust, experience, and confidence. This focus on action has been crucial in turning knowledge into profitability.
Conclusion
Allan B’s trading journey is a clear example of transformation. His success shows that a backtested system, the right mindset, and a rules-based process are the keys to consistency in the markets.
By focusing on a long-term approach, Allan turned stress and uncertainty into clarity and confidence. SPA3 provided the foundation, giving him a proven, mechanical system to rely on. With trust in this process, he followed signals without hesitation and let the system’s edge work for him over time.
Allan’s story also demonstrates the power of compounding and thoughtful planning. He applied his knowledge to teach his grandchildren about investing, showing that patience and consistency create wealth over a lifetime.
If you want to experience the same clarity and confidence in your own investing, learn how a mechanical system could transform your approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a backtested trading system?
A backtested trading system is a method that has been tested against historical market data to see how it would have performed in the past. This gives traders confidence that the strategy has a proven edge before using real money.
2. Why is the right mindset important in trading?
Even a great system can fail if a trader lets fear, ego, or doubt interfere. The right mindset helps you follow rules consistently, manage emotions, and make disciplined decisions.
3. Can I achieve profitability with a mechanical system?
Yes. Mechanical systems like SPA3 provide clear rules and signals, which help traders stick to an approach leading to profitability
4. How long does it take to see results using a mechanical system?
Results vary, but Allan saw over 30 percent returns in his US account within a few months. The key is following the system faithfully and allowing compounding and long-term strategies to work.
5. Do I need to abandon other strategies to use SPA3?
No. SPA3 can be your foundation, and you can explore other systems. The main idea is to follow a proven system consistently while experimenting with smaller side trades.