If I were to go back in time and have to give myself some advise I would tell myself to be more patient.
It took much longer to get here then I ever thought it would but that being said young people getting into this business today have so many more advantages then I did because of the technology.
There is not really anything significant that separates those that make it from those that don't.
I think a lot of it, is finding your style / niche of trading that fits who you are best and then exploiting that.
I have friends that crush my income and I know guys that literally have million dollar months but I could never do that because the risk levels and stress levels are way too high for me.
The most common mistakes new traders make are going to big too fast.
They come in and they have a good month with 100 share lot trades and then they try to jump up too fast and blow their accounts in one day.
It's very common to see a newbie make like 50k over several months and then blow it all in a single afternoon.
You have to go very slowly and you have to have superior money management skills.
The only regret I have about this job is that I became too absorbed with it in the early years and I let it get to me too much. So much so that it effected my physical health and that was really stupid but now I take time off (travel, golf etc.. ) whenever I feel like it's getting to much.
The bottom line is that anyone should approach this career the same way they should approach becoming a Doctor or Lawyer and they should understand that it will take time to get to where you want to go so don't be in a rush.
Patience is the key to trading success. If I don't get the right price at the right risk to reward, I don't take the trade.
Too many people just want action and that's why they get handed their ass.
I think set your objective first, and follow it, and don't be greedy, once meet your daily target, turn off your computer, get out and go enjoy your life.