All investors (winners and losers) know the following rules:
1. Trade with a plan and stick to it. 2. Trade with the trend of individual issues; "The trend is your friend" 3. Let your profits run; cut your losses short. 4. Never let a good profit run into a loss. 5. Never add to a losing position. 6. Be Patient 7. Never Over-trade 8. When in doubt, get out! 9. Use Stop Loss orders whenever practical 10. Be just as willing to sell as you are to buy. 11. Never buy just because the price is low; Never sell just becausethe price is high. 12. Never trade on a tip. 13. Always analyze your mistakes
The problem is that losers do not know how to carry these rules religiously. Many investors are losers because they are having problem to follow these rules.
Most investors are not willing to spend the time, money and effort to learn the knowledge of stock trading. It is also true that it is very difficult to find a good teacher or mentor.
Stock Trading is similar to golfing. Most amateur golfers are not single handicap players. I had spent a lot of time to practice and learn from the Pros. Just reading golf books and watching golf videos will never make you a single handicap player. Once I master the art of golf swing, it stays with me and I play consistent golf. Once I master the art of stock trading, I trade successfully.