In trading, as in life, perseverance plays a key role in your success.  Someone once said, "Trading is a lot like taking a hike up a mountain.  At first, you have a clear view of the peak.  But as you move up the mountain, the peak (goal) moves in and out of view.  Sometimes you feel like you can reach out and touch it, and other times you feel completely lost."  The most important thing is to stay focused on the end goal even when it's out of sight.  Last week in our weekly trading psychology class we studied a great poem on perseverance:

Life is queer with its twists and turns, 

As everyone of us sometimes learns, 

And many a failure turns about,

When he might have won had he stuck it out;

Don't give up, though the pace seems slow; 

You might succeed with another blow. 

Often the goal is nearer than 

It seems to a faint and faltering man, 

Often the struggler has given up 

When he might have captured the victor's cup. 

And he learned too late, when the night slipped down, 

How close he was to the golden crown. 

Success is failure turned inside out; 

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt; 

And you never can tell how close you are, 

It may be near when it seems afar; 

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit; 

It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.

-Anonymous

I think this poem is relevant to many people taking on the journey of learning how to trade.  

Less than 10% of Americans purchase a non-fiction book in any given year.  Of the 10% who purchase a book, 85% don't get past the first chapter.  Many people never give themselves a fair chance at accomplishing something they've committed to.  If we are too quick to quit, we may never realize our true potential.  This video clip is from "Facing The Giants".  I hope it inspires you…