Check List Continued . . .
9 It’s time for a reality check.
• Accept that approximately 95% of traders fail in their ability to consistently profit from the markets.
• Research the cause of trader failure.
• Why do you believe that you can be a part of the 5% consistently profitable traders?
• Accept that trading success will most likely take longer than you anticipate, and cost more than you expect. How will that impact your plans?
• Do you have realistic expectations with respect to the time and effort required to learn to trade, and the returns that are possible from trading?
10 Confirm you have the full support of your family.
• Discuss any concerns you may have, and your plans to minimize any negative impact.
• Discuss any concerns they may have about the impact on relationships, or your financial future.
11 Trading Psychology.
• Understand that you need to take personal responsibility for your trading decisions, and ultimately for your trading success or failure.
• Understand that the nature of the markets is uncertainty.
• Understand the probabilistic nature of the trading.
12 What market do you wish to trade?
• Stocks, options, forex, futures, CFDs?
• Research the above choices, choose the market that you are comfortable with.
• Understand why you want to trade this market.
13 Study your chosen market.
• Understand the fundamental drivers of that market.
• Is there sufficient liquidity in the market to allow ease of entry and exit?*
• If not, consider selecting another market.
• Is there sufficient volatility in the market in order to achieve your profit objectives within your chosen trading timeframe?
• If not, consider selecting another market or timeframe.
• Define a broad strategic concept that could be applied to this market *to produce profits, such as:
Capturing trends
Capturing momentum swings
Support or resistance
Reversal from extremes
Gap plays
Volatility or time decay option strategies
• What capital is required for trading your chosen market & timeframe?
What margin do you require?
What is the minimum position size?
• *If you cannot afford this market, then either
Continue studying while saving more capital, or
Consider finding another more suitable market or
Time frame that suits your available capital.
• Understand the benefits and dangers of the leverage available in this market.
9 It’s time for a reality check.
• Accept that approximately 95% of traders fail in their ability to consistently profit from the markets.
• Research the cause of trader failure.
• Why do you believe that you can be a part of the 5% consistently profitable traders?
• Accept that trading success will most likely take longer than you anticipate, and cost more than you expect. How will that impact your plans?
• Do you have realistic expectations with respect to the time and effort required to learn to trade, and the returns that are possible from trading?
10 Confirm you have the full support of your family.
• Discuss any concerns you may have, and your plans to minimize any negative impact.
• Discuss any concerns they may have about the impact on relationships, or your financial future.
11 Trading Psychology.
• Understand that you need to take personal responsibility for your trading decisions, and ultimately for your trading success or failure.
• Understand that the nature of the markets is uncertainty.
• Understand the probabilistic nature of the trading.
12 What market do you wish to trade?
• Stocks, options, forex, futures, CFDs?
• Research the above choices, choose the market that you are comfortable with.
• Understand why you want to trade this market.
13 Study your chosen market.
• Understand the fundamental drivers of that market.
• Is there sufficient liquidity in the market to allow ease of entry and exit?*
• If not, consider selecting another market.
• Is there sufficient volatility in the market in order to achieve your profit objectives within your chosen trading timeframe?
• If not, consider selecting another market or timeframe.
• Define a broad strategic concept that could be applied to this market *to produce profits, such as:
Capturing trends
Capturing momentum swings
Support or resistance
Reversal from extremes
Gap plays
Volatility or time decay option strategies
• What capital is required for trading your chosen market & timeframe?
What margin do you require?
What is the minimum position size?
• *If you cannot afford this market, then either
Continue studying while saving more capital, or
Consider finding another more suitable market or
Time frame that suits your available capital.
• Understand the benefits and dangers of the leverage available in this market.
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