Just like your typical job, trading requires some type of work on your part. It is similar to a race where you will finish victorious on the finish line if you had made the necessary practice, preparation and hard work. It just has the minor difference of not being able to instantly reap the rewards and gratification as what a typical runner would after running the race since trading doesn’t provide you with short cuts but requires a defined plan that you think will work for you. Long gone were the days when stock brokers had to help you with your financial decisions. The information technology age with the aid of your reliable computer and the information highway has helped paved the way for anybody to gain control of their financial destiny even if you are in the confines of your home as long as you have an internet connection. But before you jump on the bandwagon of trading stocks and the like, it is very important that you arm yourself with the necessary armor in the same manner as soldiers prepare themselves for battle. Just like the runner, the race may be just for a mile run but what would ultimately determine his or her victory would be the practice and the preparation prior to the race that could take months. Reading, researching, studying and testing are important before you actually understand and get a grasp of the trading market. It may even take a couple of months before you even make a trade. This is a serious matter but technology has helped people who may be neophytes or beginners to be able to simulate trading and discover a tried and tested system that will suit them. There are numerous styles of trading and there can even be combinations of them but it will all boil down as to whether you are an investor or a trader. You will determine which style will work for you and best suit your needs. An investor will hold things for months and even for years. Traders will easily trade off in a shorter period of time. Determine for yourself which type you will typically fall under. This can be determined if you assess your tolerance for risks and you define your financial goals. After defining your style you can make the decision as to the various alternatives that you could trade like stocks, commodities, options, forex, etc.