I am always amazed at the "diversity" of opinion as regards success in the financial markets. I skimmed through some of the responses and noticed a comment by Acrary, (Alan was a contemporary of mine with what seemed to be a similar background). He suggested that boredom is the primary emotion a professional might experience while waiting for the results of a strategy to play out. This has also been my experience. For me, the "business" of trading (professionally) is very mechanical. One has to be able to "compartmentalize" and have control of their emotions in order to make this a viable life choice. By the way, I remember a time when Alan's wife (I think it was his wife) executed his trades on a website (might even have been here at ET) while he was away, or doing other things. She characterized the process as similar to going fishing.....you throw a line in the water and wait (and wait) for the result. I feel the same way.
Zurich Axiom #1 If you are not worried you are not risking enough. Minor Axiom#1 Always play for meaningful stakes. Minor Axiom #2 Resist the allure of diversification
You're talking to me about diversification. I'm the no stops guy all in. Are we talking about no emotions or no risk because those are two entirely different things.