There are only two questions a forex trader has to ask him or herself. If the affirmative can be answered to both questions, the forex trader is a professional and may rely on their trading expertise for a lifetime of wealth if desired. If negative to either or both questions, the trader could continue to wipe out profits, possibly ending up in substantial and permanent losses.

1)Do you know how to identify trades that 4/5 trades at the least will get you on target for a business plan that covers the short, medium and long term?

2)Can you apply your trading methodology under different market conditions over the short, medium and long term and turn your trading plan into reality

There is convincing evidence that to become proficient at the number one criterion, there is no substitute for spending time listening to and watching the market over a consistent period, at least of months. There is no "get rich quick" strategy that has been invented, except that of gamblers luck.

Secondarily to that first point, a foundation in technical analysis is required and a pretty thorough knowledge of fundamentals, including forex jargon is a good footing. This does not need to be learned theoretically in parrot fashion, but needs to be applied in conjunction with the previous paragraph. Only then will the necessary belief in certain technical strategies be referenced sufficiently for "natural" talent & skill to be cultivated.

Risk tolerance needs to be established at an early stage so that losses can be protected using a stop-loss. Profit targets for certain trades can also be drawn up as part of the trading plans rules. If your intraday trading risk tolerance is for example 15 points, then profit target trades of 15-30 point trades need to be sought out and discovered. The opportunities await each day.

Testing, back-testing and forward-testing of methodology is an evolutionary process. It is ok to make mistakes, so long as they are learned from and keep within the boundaries of the current rules. It is therefore also going to be the case that non-stop improvement of the strategy and the skill of the trader will take place, and the strategy, even the instrument traded may change dramatically over time as more information is gathered and the trader becomes more familiar with their trading style and themselves.

Trading can be considered an "inside game." The more one knows themselves, the more likely they are going to have the discipline, patience and awareness required to spot opportunities and seek out the correct research in order to plan and execute trades make the difference between a professional investor and an emotion driven gambler.

Research into the brain shows there are two kinds of thinking. There is the primitive type of thinking built on biochemical and emotional reaction. The trader in the state of arousal with adrenalin before the trade may be leaving themselves open to danger, because this is a primitive fear/flight or flight mechanism, requiring a reactive response.

However, when the mind thinks using the cortical part of the brain, more of the neurons are incorporated into the thinking process and therefore a more balanced and effective decision will be made.

A constant and rigorous monitoring of trading performance is required therefore from the outset so that the mind knows what is required to be on track with the trading plan and adjustments can be made to the strategy so that the purpose of the plan is fulfilled. Testing and tweaking under forward conditions allow the trader to hone in on areas of weakness and root them out, making the results more pronounced.