The part in bold was EXACTLY the reason why I continued through the Combines. So it absolutely wasn't irrelevant. The funding is secondary...
My dear, what are you going to say when I come back here with my first paycheck..? There is a lot of negative blabbing but what present will I get when I do this? How about you say this, "James, I'm truly sorry for all the negativity I gave you. I attacked you because, deep down inside, I'm afraid to risk and be truly great. I will use your story as an example to improve my own life and never, ever give up! SORRY!"
Some very good advice here. Keeping your expectations in line with your abilities and the possibilities is key. Not everyone will make it. Those that do will have to work (and I mean really work!) for it. Thanks for sharing.
The one defining characteristic of successful traders is their refusal to quit in the face of adversity
JamesEM, I am not trying to be negative but a positive attitude will not be enough on its own to get you across the finish line. Do you know why you failed the FTP portion of the Combine? And please don't tell me it is your psychology or personal discipline. Psychology and Discipline have real value if you are doing things like ignoring your own pre-planned Stops. If you don't have an actual trading system then no amount of discipline and psychological drills or journal writing will make you become profitable. If your system or methodology sucks then no amount of Discipline will make it work. I once knew a "trader" that was constantly purchasing other people's trading systems as well as trying to build his own original ideas. It would not take this guy that long to put real money on the line. I would ask the guy "so how is that new system working out for you?" and he would say "oh I stopped trading it". I would then say "why did you stop trading it?" and he would say "I had a few losing trades", I would then say "maybe the system is good but maybe you ran into an expected or average draw down". The guy would not have an answer for me because every time he experienced short term failure he would then begin his quest yet again for a new methodology as well as working on his "psychology". After years of "resets" he eventually realized that he would never turn a profit and he quit trying to trade. At the very least understand and know why you failed: (A) I had no system, framework or methodology. (B) I had a system but I did not have the discipline to follow my Stops. (C) I have a system and discipline but I hit an expected drawdown. (D) I have no idea why I failed, I am 100% Discretionary and I blew up the account.
I appreciate your concern and effort for writing all of this out for me. You can check my blog for detailed answers to your questions and doubts. My answer doesn't fall into any one of the above scenarios so, if you are so inclined, you can find them in the post entitled, "The Problem With FTP". In short, I do have the method and the psychology after a very long, hard trek up the mountain to CP (<- Consistent Profitability). Best of Luck to you