At first glance, the idea of setting consistent income targets in trading sounds responsible and focused. After all, consistency is the goal, right? But here’s the truth: trading income is inherently inconsistent, and expecting steady targets month after month often leads to poor decisions, emotional trades, and unnecessary risk.

Let’s break down why income consistency shouldn’t be your main objective—and what to focus on instead.

Markets Are Inconsistent—So Income Will Be Too

The market doesn’t pay you like a salary. It fluctuates based on:

• Volatility
• Volume
• News and macro conditions
• Your strategy’s current performance cycle

Some months you’ll have multiple quality setups. Other months may be flat. Trying to hit the same income goal each period forces you to trade when you shouldn’t.

Forcing Consistency Breeds Overtrading

When traders aim for fixed income targets:

• They force trades when the market isn’t aligned
• They increase size during dry periods to catch up
• They chase profits instead of protecting capital
• They measure success in dollars instead of discipline

This leads to breakdowns in process—and often reverses months of steady progress.

Real Consistency Comes From Execution—Not Income

The best traders aim for:

• Consistent risk management
• Consistent strategy execution
• Consistent journaling and reflection
• Consistent emotional control

When those are in place, profits become more predictable over time—but not perfectly consistent month to month.

Use Income Targets as Guides—Not Rules

Income goals can be helpful if:

• They’re long-term, not monthly
• They’re based on realistic expectations from your backtesting
• They’re secondary to following your trading rules
• They’re flexible based on changing market conditions

In other words, income targets should inform—not dictate—your behaviour.

Conclusion: Income Targets Don’t Have to Be Consistent—Your Process Does

You don’t need consistent income targets to be successful. You need a consistent process that manages risk, adapts to the market, and compounds over time. Income will follow—but in its own rhythm.

To learn how to build a strategy that balances growth with realistic expectations, explore our Trading Courses designed to help traders grow with structure, discipline, and long-term vision.