Reader Mike sent me this email:

Bella,

I know you will never remember me but you interviewed me about four years ago. During that interview you told me I was not ready to be a trader both financially and psychologically. I remember leaving that interview calling you many many not so nice things saying that I will show you. Since that date, I’ve lost just under eight thousand dollars (that’s a lot for the little that I make) mainly cause I was not financially or psychologically prepared for what it will take to win at this game. About a year and half ago I was telling my wife about  that interview and it dawned on me you were right and the only person I spoke with in the industry that was being honest to me and was not just looking to take my money. I wanted to thank you for that, even that it took me a long while to realize it.

Since my self realization I have moved into the forex market where I can learn to trade at a micro level and have learned a lot about my own personality. Now I’m learning to work on my own personal discipline, actions, and mainly my arrogance towards the market and it’s players. I’m starting to show a lot more profitability in my trading and look to be taking your training late fall ’11 or spring ’12 to compete for a position within your firm.

A few years too late but thank you for your wisdom and honesty.

Bella Responds

Thank you for sharing your experience with me. I have said this same thing to many people over the last four years and I am sure they had a similar reaction. If you are not financially and psychologically ready to become a professional trader, sitting next to the great Steve Cohen would not help you (well, unless he reached over and entered some trades for you). Your trading can be the mirror image of your personal development. If you are not a disciplined person, then your trading most likely will be undisciplined. If you struggle being patient as a person then you will as a trader. If you crave action in real life, you will overtrade.

I’m very impressed that you have recognized some areas you need to improve as a person to become a better trader. We all must do this work. And I hope that for our readers one clear messages resonates: You can change! Reader Mike did!