Why Traders Overcomplicate What Already Works
Over-complication often appears after something starts working. It’s not confusion — it’s hesitation with better language.
This one usually appears later.
Not at the beginning.
Not when everything feels chaotic.
It shows up when something is already working.
The entries are fine.
The outcomes are acceptable.
There’s nothing obviously broken.
And yet something starts to feel off.
The approach feels too simple.
Too exposed.
Almost fragile.
And that discomfort surprises people.
Most traders expect simplicity to feel relieving.
They imagine that once something works, the tension disappears.
But often, the opposite happens.
Simplicity removes distance.
There’s no complexity to hide behind.
No layers to blame.
No clever adjustments to explain outcomes.
When something is simple and it fails, the responsibility feels closer.
That’s an uncomfortable position for most people.
This is where over-complication quietly begins.
Not because the trader is confused — but because they’re hesitant to fully commit.
Complexity is often a way to avoid commitment.
As long as something is complex, it can still be refined.
Adjusted.
Improved.
Complexity creates room to delay final responsibility.
Notice how this usually unfolds.
A small tweak.
An extra filter.
A slight modification that feels harmless.
Not because the system demanded it — but because certainty felt uncomfortable.
Complexity restores a sense of control.
It creates the feeling that you’re still working on it, rather than standing behind it.
That’s why over-complication often follows success.
When something works, the mind looks for a reason not to trust it.
Simplicity removes excuses.
And without excuses, the outcome feels more personal.
So over-complicating isn’t always a mistake.
It’s hesitation wearing a smarter outfit.
And noticing that can be more useful than changing the method itself.
MJC Training Ltd