Quote from Mom0/pH0x:
as others have suggested, cognitive ability is CERTAINLY helpful, but not sufficient... certain cognitive skills such as pattern recognition, logic, and short term memory are particularly helpful, but the theoretical foundation of your psychological/ideological framework (at the subconscious level) must also lend itself to trading... because, in part i believe, is the values that bring you success in the world (generally speaking) arent identical to the values which bring you success in the markets... in the market you cut your loosers, maybe to re-enter later, maybe not, maybe to reverse... in life you ''stay the course'' if you want to win... just one example of hundreds... so for many people it's challenging to re wire themselves to this sort of logic and reason... i think most importantly, you have to have the ability and willingness to truely see anything, then you have the core essence of what it takes to be a great trader( to paraphrase kovner)...