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Yes, the idea is to profit, but it's hard to execute well without a plan. Bowlers don't just bowl, they plan their line and movement. Footy teams don't just try to run over the top of each other, they try and create a gap in the opposition's defensive line. Soldiers don't just shoot. Most activities benefit from planning, and no matter how talented someone is, they will very likely do better when equipped with a good plan.

Stop losses is about risk management. The idea of the stop is to protect your capital from fast, large moves, but also to set a point where we decide the trade is no longer working. A stop doesn't suggest that we think we will lose this trade, just that we know we may lose on this trade.

Humans rarely take action without a plan, regardless of how well-thought out. It may be as simple as you take a trade if you like it and exit when you no longer like it. It's a simple plan, but it's still a plan. Second-guessing yourself isn't a problem if it is in a positive way, and since markets are dynamic, perhaps it's necessary to second-guess in a positive fashion.