6. Find a mentor or a trader to use as a model. The fastest way to learn all of the rules of trading and to become successful is to model a successful professional trader. Mentoring and modeling allows you to bypass all of the mistakes that novice traders make. It provides you with the authoritative guidance and support that breed confidence, which is key to successful trading.

7. Write a business plan. Traders with business plans are entrepreneurs and businessmen. Traders without business plans are just one step above gamblers and in some cases that one step can be eliminated. A business plan spells out all of the resources, trading methodology and/or rules, operational plans, budgets, money management and feedback mechanisms that a trader uses to run his business. A well-written business plan signals to both the trader and to his family and associates that he is serious about being a professional.  It is also the document that allows a trader to look for investors when the time comes to do so.

8. Take care and beware of your relationships. This is a complex rule because it advises a trader to make certain that his important relationships are in good health so they can support his professional life. Nothing can interrupt a successful trading career as quickly as a broken marriage. And this rule is also a warning to traders to let go of toxic, risky, and unsupportive relationships that can damage self-confidence and health and lead to risky behaviors.

9. Take care of your health. Far too many traders wash out of the game because they fail to apply this rule to their trading.  Bad diets, lack of exercise and sleep, and too much stress all lead to the diseases and conditions that can end a career.  I have counseled many floor traders disabled by stress-related illnesses as well as traders who can no longer work productively because of alcoholism, drug-taking, heart problems and other disabling diseases.

10. Enjoy the process. There is no point in becoming a professional trader if you hate what you do and if each day drags on to the next. Find a way to enjoy the process or the process will find a way to end your career.

If you can master these ten rules of the trading game, you are a ready to play to win.