Today's Quote: “Spoon feeding in the long run teaches us nothing but the shape of the spoon." E. M. Forster.

Most people are very kind with their email. They will ask a question or two, or make a comment, or ask for a quick critique on a trade. We often hear from some more than others, and there are many ‘one timers’. Every once in a while, we get ‘the’ email. This email comes in different shapes colors and flavors, but always asks the same basic question as the bottom line. ‘Can you tell me how to trade?’

Not only do you they want a succinct paragraph back from us that will unlock all the doors to trading mastery; but also there is often a time limit imposed. “I need to be trading well by Friday because I quit my job this week”, or something similar. While we should be flattered that someone thinks we could send a paragraph or two that would change their life, it sadly just points out how many people look at the career of trading.

Imagine if you will that you were a doctor, and someone came up to you and said, “My mother needs a major heart operation and it is not covered by insurance. To save money, I would like to perform the operation. Could you spend some time on the phone with me this weekend and teach me how to do a six-way by-pass by Monday?”

The point was taken. Is trading as difficult as performing major surgery? Of course not. It is harder. Imagine being a doctor, but every time you operated on someone, the organs were in different places. One day a certain blood pressure reading was healthy, the next day it was not. When you send blood work to the lab, some days you don’t get it back. Patients tell you exactly what is wrong with them, but sometimes they are lying just to confuse you. Sometimes, at the life and death moment, all of your instruments go blank. Would it be fun to be a doctor under these circumstances? Any trader easily relates to all of these analogies.

Without a doubt, there are many unknown variables in medicine. However, the point is that many professions can be learned and hard work is likely to guarantee you some success. This is not always so in trading. It takes a certain person, and ambition to learn when there are very few constants. Only education, time, experience and discipline will make success, not ‘quick learn’ emails.