Is Forex Trading a Good Fit for You?

Now that you're looking at Forex trading, what are your expectations? It's important that you keep your feet on the ground and don't allow yourself to get swept away by the many wild and overblown promises you can see all around the Internet. Too many people come to the Forex market with misguided expectations of overnight riches.

Unfortunately, this field is riddled with operators who will promise anything just to part inexperienced and naive beginners from their money. The old adage "if it sounds too good to be true it probably is" continues to be wise advice.

Some beginners, however, are willing participants in their own fleecing. They choose to accept glowing promises that "it's going to be effortless with this system / software / secret" or that "you can get rich almost overnight." They don't want to accept the well-demonstrated truth that Forex trading is a complex set of activities requiring time and effort to master.

Fact - nobody should ever sink serious money into Forex trading before they have gained experience by using a free trial account. Such accounts, offered by many reputable brokers, are easy to find on the Internet. In addition, it's a good idea to take a course, talk to more experienced traders, investigate several brokers and read everything you can find on Forex trading. Look for information in newspapers, financial publications, the Internet and even on television programs specializing in financial news. In other words, it's good to take a professional approach and make yourself knowledgeable on the subject before you start risking your money.

We recommend taking the following five points into consideration at the very start:

Point 1. You can expect negative advice.
If you run out and trumpet your intentions to those around you, be prepared to hear a lot of nay saying. Many people have heard how volatile the currency markets can be, and while the excitement may attract you, others may see it differently. All sorts of "advice" will come your way, from "Why not invest in something safer?" to "Why would you just throw your money away like that?” Recommendation number one - don't waste your energy talking with people who know nothing and can't give any useful advice. Recommendation number two - decide in advance that your mind is already made up; that way, you're less likely to be swayed by those who "only want to help you."

Point 2. You really could lose every penny you invest.
If you want to lose a bundle, it's quite easy. Just plunge headfirst into Forex trading without knowing what you're doing. The best way to protect your money is to educate yourself, and to spend significant time practicing with trial accounts before you put in real money. Learn about stops and other methods that will help you control losses before they suck you down the drain. In other words, have a well-tested strategy, and understand exactly how it works.

Point 3. Expect to feel overwhelmed.
Every beginner in any field will always run into feelings of uncertainty and confusion. From the first time you tried to tie your own shoelaces, to the first day of school, to your first day on your first job, everything new is always an intense experience. Forex trading will be exactly the same, and the best - the only - way to get past it is just that. Get past it... start and don't stop. Only with experience will you become more comfortable with currency trading.

Point 4. Trading is not easy.
Sorry, but that's the obvious truth. If Forex trading were easy, everyone with a little spare money would be doing it! There's a great deal to learn because situations can change quickly and endlessly. Without a broad base of knowledge and experience, you'll be left gasping and puzzled. Fortunately, that's exactly what keeps out the lightweights who don't have the commitment and discipline to master their craft. So provided you do have the character traits trading takes, this is all excellent news for you.

Point 5. Trading is not for every personality type.
Directly related to Point 4 is the obvious fact that some character traits are not a good match for this activity. The Forex market is constantly rising and falling, which can deeply unsettle the fainthearted. It's also not a good fit for those with an addictive personality. Currency trading, when it's done right, is a business of money management, not a game of gambling. For those who are too easily carried away by their emotions, it's always a temptation to invest too much on a whim and suffer heavy losses. Forex trading suits the more cautious, thoughtful investor, one who is less likely to act impulsively or recklessly, but always stays focused and aware of what he's doing.

Rather than feeding you the usual hyped up promises of instant success, we would rather tell it to you straight. Here it is:

If you do a personal inventory and decide that you're an overly impulsive or impatient person, then you should either stay away from currency trading, or make a conscious and dedicated effort to retrain yourself to master success-oriented habits. And if you honestly feel you do have the necessary traits, then you can begin moving now toward a steady, solid success in Forex trading.