That's a load of crap. I think I am a good example to the contrary.Quote from uesr33:
Keeping a day job while trying to become a professional trader, is like living in a big city and trying to become a professional cowboy by weekend cowboy schooling, he would never become one.
1. My day job gives me access to proprietary macro economic data.
2. My day job gives me front line knowledge of how the world works.
3. I spend about 10-12 hours a day on economic theory, apply it to the market, and devise winning trades that have beaten the sp500 handily for the last 6 years. (I am 28)
I have probably spent more time, and probably better quality time, than most professional traders. And my strategies aren't churning and burning high volume gambling trades hoping to get lucky or simply benefit from a generally rising market due to monetary policy.
Anyway, if your day job is mcdonalds, then ya you aren't going to make it. But there are plenty of day jobs that can inspire someone to apply their insights, knowledge, and experience to profitable trades.