onemind,
If you are having problems getting started in trading, then you are most definitely going about it in the wrong way. Instead of this thread, you could have started one asking questions. Explain what you want to achieve, and ask for some advice. It probably would have gotten you alot further than this thread will
Best of luck.
I agree fully with Professor Frink’s comments, onemind,
It’s got a lot to do with attitude and application. Firstly, if you ask the right questions the right way, you’ll find ASF has many people that have gone out of their way to help others.
If you take the time to read through both threads of interest and particular posters with some knowledge, there truly is a wealth of ideas to be reaped here, but you’ve got to want to do this, and do it with a good grace, an open but discerning mind, and with a positive attitude.
Try using the search function for threads of interest, and try the find all posts from your favourite posters, and go through what they have to say. Go right back to their earliest posts, and follow the dialogues that speak to you. You’d be surprised what you can glean here.
Otherwise if you antagonise people and play games, you’ll just get on the wrong side of the people you could learn from. Why do that? Do you want to learn or not? It’s all about attitude – your attitude. If you’re seeking knowledge, you have to look for it. It’s all here, believe me, lots of good starting points and pure gold posts in terms of real comments and wisdom from real people who are out there in the market place.
Also, be a bit careful about dismissing any concept out of hand. Sure, once you’ve studied it, ask questions, probe a bit, many ideas are flawed, but sometimes there are glimpses of wisdom and inspiration that are worth the effort of wading through dialogues to find them.
But you have to apply yourself, develop an understanding of each school of thought, then venture out and try your hand at them (even if it’s only in theory paper trading until you can build real capital in the future). Listen carefully. Observe, imagine, think, access the knowledge, and build your own unique but educated view of the market.
My advice to succeed in the long run in the market, is to master the most important element in trading and investing – Psychology (I’d say it’s 90% of the game). That is master both your own psychology, and master market psychology. If you can do this, then success may well flow to you. Ignore it, and the market will teach you this lesson, probably at the worst time in the most ruthless manner.
The best book I have read on this is Mark Douglas’ “Trading in the Zone”, and “The Disciplined Trader”, but also Phantom of the Pits is definitely worth a read too.
Analysis, system, and strategy are the next key elements in the mix. If you have an interest in this view point, feel free to search back into the threads where I and others have discussed these concepts. There are many good threads where a variety of competent people contribute their viewpoint, and some of these may well assist you in your journey if you choose to make it. But it’s up to you onemind.
Until you develop a positive mental attitude, you really will be your own worst enemy. Consider resolving to change this state of mind, and to seek out positive ways to approach life… until then, you will be battling with those who may otherwise help you. In the end, it is not them you are fighting, it is yourself, and your future.
Kind Regards
Magdoran