Quote from Batman28:
I think you all have different stories.. some true love for the markets, and some purely coincidently.
but in a funny way.. i think one thing you all have in common is you truly believe you were born to be a millionaire and trading is the way to do it - because you're convinced you're smarter than everyone else and can beat the market. correct? 
no but more seriously, how did u guys end up trading? and for others, why do you want to be a trader? there are millions of more interesting jobs out there.
i guess:
1. because its easy to make money (and lose it too). you dont have to move ur ass.
2. its one of the few ways you can actually make a change in your life in just one generation - by making alot of money.
3. you dont want to work, and want to enjoy life so you let ur trades make some money for u.
4. you're depressed, but smart, so some bank nicked forced u to make millions for them and u dont care about money.
5. you're addicted to gambling.
6. you read about jesse livermore and feel you're his reincarnation.
7. you trade, so can tell others you're a "Trader" and it makes u feel like a ferrari. (maybe even just trade 1once a year to earn the title)
8. you trade because when you was 12 years old, you watched WALL ST. and want to be mr Gecko..
9. you trade because its another channel for speculation and for some reason without doubt, you believe you have the gift of god to beat the market.
10. you trade because you're too ugly to show ur face anywhere, so you trade because u can do it from home.
11. you trade because your dad is/was a trader.
12. you became a trader because you're jewish (no offence!)
13. you trade because your addicted to looking at graphs and it turns u on checking all those indicators.
14. its the only way you feel you will make your first billion.
15. you work on open-out-cry floor and u enjoy shouting and scream and thinking you're making some very important decisions in the world..
14. why do you trade anyway?
the reason i highlight this is because first i wanna know what sort of people come here, and 2nd i think how you approach trading can influence how successful you are and maybe things r ment to be.. there are hell of alot of arrragont successful traders..
have fun
I wanted to be a trader sense I was 18 years old. I dont quite remember where my interest in the markets came from, but I did have this book called "A beginner's guide to day trading online". I read about the kinda money that could be made just by working alone in your bed room, not having to listen to anyone's BULLSHIT. I liked the idea of doing what I want, when I want. At the time my view of the market was... "how hard could this be?..seems easy enough". Three years, and a couple of small losses later I realized that its not that easy...I guess it depends on your style of trading though.
I dont know how many people can say "I LOVE monday's".. Most people, and this is just my guess, hate when that alarm goes off and they have to get out of bed, and follow the same lame ass routine everyday. I LOVE monday's now, weekends are kinda boring because the markets (stocks) are not open.
I REFUSE to live my life at some 9 to 5 job, in some cramped window-less cubicle, pushing around the same papers, dealing with the same asshole managers and supervisers. My parents at the time, and probably still to this day, think I'm out of my mind. I guess most parents would love if their son/daughter became a Doctor or Lawyer, but thats not for me.
The markets offer opportunity, but more so, its the excitement that I seek. NO wallstreet guru knows what the next day will bring, because its all speculation, which puts everyone one an equal playing field (money aside).
The money can be great, but its mostly the freedom that trading offers. I'm I'm sick, tired, lazy, or whatever, I dont have to go to work, because I'm my own damn boss.
Well I hope that clears some things up.
- nate
