4 years before making a trade? I would have blown up 3 accounts by now. You can't learn anything from algos or paper trading...other than getting used to the platform which is important.
I spent almost 2 years in finding and developing a viable trading strategy. And you're right, once I started putting real money it is a whole different story. It has been heck of a learning process for me in the past year.
. I see no optimization required but to forward test it with real money.