I would suggest that the first steps should be small cautious steps following a very clearly defined road map!
Regularly you can open a newspaper or magazine, or see online headlines, articles and advertisements that claim to have ‘3 Easy Steps to Trading’ or claim to show ‘How To Make A Million From Your Bedroom’ – I’m a pretty balanced and calm individual but I must admit I get more than a little annoyed (English understatement!) when I see them!
Thinking back to the trail of my professional background - studies, qualifications, working ‘in harness’ learning the trade, gaining experience, then branching out on my own - and all the while reading, studying and researching the core subjects necessary to make a successful career out of trading whilst keeping abreast of the latest stock market news and world events that affect stocks, I wish that there had been 3 Easy Steps but there most certainly isn’t believe me.
As mentioned in one of the previous forum postings there really is no substitute for discipline and diligence if you want to, not just start trading but also, make a success of it.
As Warren Buffet’s been mentioned it’s worth taking a quick look at his background and early days too.
His father was clearly an influence on young Warren as he had a brokerage himself and the son commonly observed his father’s dealings – what better way to immerse you in a subject from an early age. Buffet the younger’s confidence was such that he bought his first stock at just 11 years of age (no doubt under close tutelage) and then through his teens made several successful entrepreneurial ventures on his own.
He then went on to study business and securities at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Nebraska to gain a strong foothold in the fundamentals of investing. The rest, as they say, is history.