Cant speak for Steve, BnB but it took me:
19 years and 3 blow outs, taking crappy jobs at night and on the weekends, so I could have my days free to train. Blank stares and derision from relatives, friends, and strangers when they asked what I did. Purchase of more snake-oil than I thought I'd ever fall for, "guru" worship, seminar attendance, more trading software than could be fit on 10 hard drives. On and on.
And alot, ALOT of fun.
Because NONE of that compares to the pure hell that is the majorities "stable" 9-5 life you mention as they slowly inch along the freeway in their metal coffins to a dead end job that Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton will sell off to China or India anyways to pay for their kids Gulfstream 5 as they collect $125k/hr on the after presidency lecture tour.
I dont know you and have no idea how long you've been trading. Dont want to know. But I know this, there is no way you can successfully trade(ie says trader/investor on your 1040 form under occupation) unless you have suffered. Maybe you have not suffered enough yet? Or maybe you have. And trading is not for you. Doesnt make you a bad person.
This has nothing to do with brains, desire, or even balls.
It is just a pure grind. Trading is the last bastion of civilized brutality left. The purest legal one anyways.
Greater the risk, the greater the reward. If everyone could trade, who would work? No political correctness here. Look at the heavyweights. Niederhoffer, John Henry et al. We are all just one trade away from humiliating ruin. If we allow it.
Would you really trust a dentist with 6 months experience?
Not likely.
How bout the surgeon cutting open your heart?
Only in trading can you be sold the idea that in 6 months you too can own Chicago and New York. Then just for kicks you can surf the financial waves of London, Frankfurt, and Hong Kong.
Just trading a handful of stocks is a 80 hr week proposition. Never mind Hang Seng Futures.
Trading is NOT a scam. It is a reminder to be ever vigilant in creating your destiny rather than crave surety in a world that gives none.
Dont quit. Find what works and drive that blade to its hilt.
Quote from Bullz n Bearz:
Hey Steve, how's everything?
I agree, maybe there is some frustration in me, but I am so damn determined to learn the markets and make my living off them.. I trade commodity futures(mini euro and mini crude) and I have great days, but today the market is just going against my anticipations. Would you share some of your experiences on this thread to let others and I included know how you got exactly to where you are today? cheers