Introspection is the ability to look within and see yourself as you really are. The first step in any endeavor in life is introspection-know yourself. You must acknowledge who you are then ask yourself, "What do you really want in life? What do you expect to gain from trading, and how will trading help you achieve what you desire from life?"

A thorough introspection will determine if you possess the traits for successful trading. Do you have self-control, and are you willing to accept complete responsibility for your actions? Do you have the proper traits requisite for trading? If not do, you really want to go through the process of obtaining them?

You must see if you possess the enthusiasm and dedication necessary for trading. Trading may appear exciting and highly rewarding, but it can also be a very painful process. Most people think only of making money when trading, but losing money is an integral and difficult part of trading as well. Trading will require tremendous dedication, because whenever we begin losing money and suffer pain we will want to stop trading. Losing periods provide a good indication of how dearly we really desire to trade.

Trading will be an enlightening experience because it will draw out aspects of your personality, some of which you would rather keep locked away and forgotten. How can trading be so revealing? Whenever faced with a difficult situation such as losing money, we will immediately question how we got involved and determine how to expeditiously get out. In essence, we question who we are (Why am I in this situation?), and whether we possess the requisite abilities to extricate ourselves from the predicament (How do I get out?). We will learn what is truly important to us. Trading will be quite revealing because it will present many difficult and painful situations. It will be a true test of our mettle. Trading will strip your soul, force you to examine every comer of your mind, and bring out the essence of who you are.

Trading demands a hard and truthful introspection of yourself. You must possess an ability to look at yourself as truthfully as possible. Introspection is the ability to know yourself. What could be a more powerful force than the possession of knowledge? One of the most important reasons I enjoy trading is that I must continually learn about myself and the world. I do not always like what I see, but must either change it or learn to accept it. Introspection is the key to developing confidence and perseverance which are necessary to continue trading.