i trade 2 kinds of product and the only way to trade those products with margin requirement and costs is to add more money to the account value
I don't know about what products and style you trade, but it sounds like it makes risk exposure hard to contain within a maximum of 1%. Given variable market activity, could it be hard to contain risk? Ie. what could happen during a bad streak?
It comes down to account size, smaller the amount of money and trading futures conservatively, it can be done, but as account grows it gets tougher as cheap options to hedge for long term gets harder in some markets. And in scalping and experienced, easily done on smaller account sizes. You have to ask yourself this, did Gates every think Microsoft would get this big or did Buffett ever think he be a billionaire, but are very good at what they do. You have to persevere and constantly push yourself to become the best that you can be. Not many people can d so as I see this in my lifetime. You have to think way outside the bun and when people say it can't be done, you keep working this you solve that problem. But I never said you can make 200%+ every year. Larry Williams made over 10,000% in one year, granted he had several accounts going at same time, but never the less he designed a system and for that one year it did incredible return and then his daughter did well for coupe years thereafter, not flukes. And I won U.S Trading Championship in 1992 with 216%, documented using a long term system in commodities, it can be done.
I think to run with the best, you have to prove to oneself you are more than ready to compete. Would you agree than most who enter our field of work are seldom ready? I enjoy reading about other people's success's in life and how they did it, many who started in day trading first were doing higher percentages before they went live. Many start with so little funds and they get scared cause lack of knowledge they over trade, lack of patience as well, so their fees add up each day, just to recover the fees by end of a year if they last that long will be up to 100%.
How did you perform your 'demo trading'? How many trade did you do? How many years/months was that? What product/instrument are you trading? What type of trading strategy are you using? All these questions will help us trying to help you.
Sole reason I despise paper accounts. THEY ARE NOT REAL It’s better to lose money and learn, then have some imaginary percentage gain you never get or lose.. This is what I tell everyone. Trade on option. Sell one put or call or a strangle. Then do two. Then when you shit yourself go back to one till you get comfortable. Last lesson you ever need to learn is when you get greedy and get comfortable. That’s when you get bit. Always stick to your plan no matter what. Under any circumstance. Great way to lose sleep and hair is not sticking to your plan and even your plan will have you ripping hair from time to time.