I am often asked by traders I meet, "How do I become a successful trader? What does it really take?" In any endeavor - whether the goal is to become a competent trader, surgeon, athlete, psychologist, musician, lawyer, or pilot - the path is the same: Dedication to the goal, a lot of hard work, and a willingness to keep picking yourself up when you fall, over and over. I would like to be able to say it is easier than all that, but it really isn't. Here are seven essentials needed to become a competent trader. With dedicated effort, these steps can help you to eventually become a great trader: (full story)