Dear "Bungrider",
this is in response to your question "How is success defined?"
The perception of success is very subjective. I.e., if you feel successful, you are successful.
To objectify success, we must quantify it, which can be based on the professional background and previous or current earning power of the trader, and measured by "opportunity cost".
Following is an excerpt from my business plan for a trading business, which I wrote as part of my MBA thesis:
Loss and profit phases
From a âprofit and lossâ standpoint, there will be four phases in the trading business (these phases could be partially overlapping):
Phase 1: loss phase
Phase 2: break-even phase
Phase 3: opportunity cost coverage phase
Phase 4: profit phase.
1. The âloss phaseâ occurs due to small share sizes (for training purposes) and lack of experience. This phase is a natural part of the learning curve, but often psychologically difficult to pass through. It is expected that initial losses will be between $2,000 and $5,000.
2. The âbreak-even phaseâ occurs as the traderâs skills improve and share size increases; profits and losses are at equilibrium (P&L = $0).
3. The âopportunity cost coverage phaseâ occurs when the traderâs profits are approximately equal to his / her opportunity cost. The opportunity cost is the income that the trader foregoes by trading, e.g. his / her income from employment. In the case of this trader, the opportunity cost is $300 per day.
4. The âprofit phaseâ occurs when the profits exceed the opportunity cost.
Hope this helps. "Good luck" in your trading.
