Im not clear what you are asking. Two steps... 1) Develop profitable trading strategies and a trading plan. 2) Employ DISCIPLINE to carry out the trading plan and the strategies. Trading is a business... Otherwise it is a hobby. You must realistically know where YOU are.
What would you say belongs in a solid trading plan? https://elitetrader.com/et/threads/...solid-trading-plan.340340/page-4#post-5031706
It's not an easy business. You have to be willing to constantly learn and work on yourself. You need to develop a consistency in process. Markets are always changing. Now it is much slower than a few months ago. You need to be able to observe and adapt. It is advisable to be in a position where you are not living off of your gains month to month. Any influence that way can really hinder your ability to trade.
Seems like a pretty simple question. How much do you need to live on (accounting for taxes, inflation, "unexpected" expenses etc.)? What is your working capital and sustainable long run return? There will be your answer.
Probably like most business. They fail in the first 18 months from lack of capital. So be well capitalized. Not so much so you can take large positions or large risks, BUT so you can learn (paper trade and Test, Test, Test) and have money to "pay yourself", while you protect your capital for when you are ready. 2 years would be a good initial time to "Pay yourself" and use 10% of that to work out your system.
%% That; + tend to avoid new cars+ most all debt. Like Rhonda's mom said ''watch your pennies + dollars.........'' or something like that. A fully auto cos$ $200 or more tax to the gov then ammo burns a lot quicker. But Bill RGR used a gattlin gun, so a gun co exec may get a special deal\good reason LOL.....................................................................................................................
you must be able to survive down cycles........in any business. and theer will be those...so yes this is the numero uno requirement of any business venture
Most of the time the best course of action is to have a stable income and trade on the side. This way, you can compound your returns and go full time when you have skills and capital to cover living expenses and still grow wealth.