it's extremely hard to make it in retail - but it can be done - the most important thing ever "for short term trading" - is knowing if you are in a rotational market or a momentum market and being able to switch your style to suit.
understand you are not a floor trader in an exchange, you are on the outside and have to step away from it a bit, don't play another mans game. looks aren't everything and your eyes will deceive you so you have to go to the math and be honest with it... meaning avoiding the millions of ways scammers use to promote what their selling.
you have to keep your risk super low per trade, keep in mind the time of day, be willing to reverse once you get good at entries, focus on one market, spend what you have to for a proper setup: internet connection, fast computer, proper software, backup systems etc.
it also helps if you don't need the money and you have owned and operated with success your own independent business where your decisions "make or break" you. then it's easier for you to work at it like a business. people that try and trade who have never had their decisions result in making a living for your family or not have a hard road ahead of them. also anyone who is in a privileged profession like doctors, lawyers, engineers, fresh meat like college graduates that thinks they won't get chopped up because they are smarter than everyone else before them will have to detox their mind because their path has to back track and find humbleness.
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