Mr. Michael,

I am Alexei, from Paraguay, South America, I’ve been following SMB Capital for a year and now reading your blog posts is a must every day. Recently I have finish reading One Good Trade. I have read so many books about technical analysis and trading and I now you heard this a lot but it was by far the best book I read about trading. It is helping me a lot to improve my skills and I’ve learned so many things that I wouldn’t have if I didn’t read your book. I notice that the book is more useful for some that is working or wants to work in a prop firm but it still was very useful for me. I never knew that reading the tape is so important.

I am going in October to SMB Desk to do the SMB Foundation, I would like to know if can give me some advice before I go and some reading about reading the tape so can be more prepared and take more advantage of my trip.

I can’t wait to go and start learning with SMB.

Bella

So what can you do before you start training at a trading firm?

1. Read. I would get my hands on these books:

a. Trading in the Zone
b. The Daily Trading Coach
c. Yes, One Good Trade
d. Technical Analysis in Multiple Timeframes
e. Mindset
f. The Talent Code

This is by no means an exhaustive list just a push in the right direction, with many great trading books not mentioned.

2. Read blogs. Start finding people who can help you grow as a trader in your trading style.

3. Find a mentor outside your firm. We all need mentors. People who have been through the wars and can offer a different perspective that has your best interests in mind. Is there someone you have developed a relationship with that can help you grow as a person/trader?

4. Simulation Trade. Find a good trading demo and start practicing your trading. For the reader above find a demo that offers Level II and start using this indicator with your simulating trading.

5. Live a life that brings you happiness. Most would recommend to find balance in your life. I would offer another standard for consideration. Live a life filled with all the things that make you happy. Make a list of all the things that make you happy and ensure a large proportion of your day is spent doing those things on your list.  This will improve your trading.

6. Save your money. The longer you can survive the learning curve the better your chances of success.

7. Decrease or eliminate your time spent with people who are negative, cynical, unmoved by facts and unable to make daily progress.

8. Start asking out that girl(s) you have been too shy to ask out. Your upside for that young lady saying yes is way more than the downside. Get used to seeing the world as a game of risk/reward.

For the developing and experienced traders out there, what would you suggest?

Bella
One Good Trade