This is a real profession, like any other:
1. You feel that you have some talent in that direction and you work hard at preparing yourself - it takes a few years but there's plenty to choose from;
2. You try out a few trading approaches and then select a methodology or two to follow - having a good mentor here is invaluable, a real must;
3. You do your job, day in and day out: it is fascinating and also pays your bills. With a little luck, there's money left over.
Where's the mystery?
Does anyone think it's easier becoming a capable medical doctor? How about a good lawyer? A successful business person? Trading is a difficult and rewarding profession not unlike others. Of course, it goes without saying that not everybody is cut out for it and some people (eg, candidates) should accept that reality and focus elsewhere. The serious problem that I've seen is that there's this rumor that trading is easy, come and get it, become rich overnight. That's terribly wrong.
I worked for a big company for 18 years and did well. But, I hated office politics and resulting relentless backstabbing -- not to mention the continuous bickering about everything. Then, in 1997, I quit and started trading on my own. I feel that my second career is easier, more interesting, and pays better. Perhaps, my mistake was going to work for others in the first place. But, hey, I was young (nice excuse, right?)
Btw, I've always liked to write science fiction stories, just for fun; then I got more serious about it for a while. The fist one I sold to a magazine (in 1997) took me the equivalent of a full time month of hard work (but I was scraping time here and there because of my other responsibilities.) I was very happy getting the sale, ecstatic... my first publication. It paid $15. That's right, no zeros. Published author, at last... Sold a few other stories over the following year or so for more money, but not much more. Let me tell you, writing for a living REALLY sucks.
On the other hand, now I can buy all the books I want
