Never think that cutting losses can make it easy. Loss is part of our every business. Every person has face the loss situation.
Cut losses short and hold profit long, this is the major rule. Many newbies fail at this step and it's sad.
According to me, patience and the passion to learn is the key. Trading cannot be learnt in a day or two. Laziness has no place in the life of a good trader. You cannot procrastinate and avoid any opportunity that comes your way. Next is to trade in your limits. Never go beyond your budget and risk constraints as that can put you in a danger. Also, keeping a control over your emotions and keeping a record of every move you make is quite essential to be a good trader.
Well it depends from person to person I think. Not everyone has the same grasping power. The more seriously and passionately you explore and research, the earlier you will learn.
The good merchant always has to have a good market analysis, study a lot and learn about the social factors that can influence it and be very smart to know how to act and invest at the right time to be able to make profits that completely favor your capital.