Successful Forex traders all share many of the same characteristics.

1 - As with any business, being successful requires a plan. Forex trading is no different in this respect. To trade profitably requires planning and then reviewing, possibly revising, and definitely following that plan .

2 - To be successful you must have adequate capital. No one should go into any business for the long term without adequate working capital. No matter how good your trading methods are inadequate capital can take you out of the game right when things are starting to go well for you.

3 - Have realistic expectations. You will not profit in Forex trading if you don't start to trade until you find a trading method that yields 1000% per month.

4 - Those who are consistently profitable have discipline. Trading discipline requires that you simply follow your methods to the letter. Many traders make the mistake of not taking a trade that their trading system requires because "it doesn't feel right". Second guessing a successful system is a recipe for disaster.

5 - To trade profitably you must think in a big picture fashion with long-term wealth and prosperity in mind. You will have loses in all Forex trading. They are inevitable and part of doing business in Forex. You will profit as long as the sum total of your wins exceeds the sum total of your losses.

6 - Plan to be successful by making sure that you do your homework. I've seen people jump into Forex trading after studying the trading business for the same amount of time it takes to read a lunch menu. This is a big mistake. The Forex market eats unprepared traders alive.

7 - Do not look for the Holy Grail of Forex trading. Those who are successful in Forex trading get there by doing what works and doing it consistently. They are not constantly on the lookout for some incredible trading method that will change their lives forever.