All things being equal, luck alone will get you nowhere 99% of the time. This applies not only to trading, but to anything one might try to achieve in life. That said, successful trading is 99% preparation (Call it skill/hard work whatever you want. The fact remains it depends on the individual).
Read this (basic social psychology): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locus_of_control
People who predominantly attributed success or failure at a given task to internal factors like ability, years later were found to be objectively more successful (had higher income, for instance), than those who attributed success or failure mostly to external factors like luck. From personal experience applying Rotter's scale, I'd say it is also a fairly good proxy for general intelligence: more intelligent individuals tend to score higher in internal locus of control...
Read this (basic social psychology): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locus_of_control
People who predominantly attributed success or failure at a given task to internal factors like ability, years later were found to be objectively more successful (had higher income, for instance), than those who attributed success or failure mostly to external factors like luck. From personal experience applying Rotter's scale, I'd say it is also a fairly good proxy for general intelligence: more intelligent individuals tend to score higher in internal locus of control...
"To hold, you must first open your hand. Let go." - Lao Tzu