Think and Grow Rich was written in 1937 by Napoleon Hill. What I have found most helpful in relation to trading are his "30 Major Causes of Failure". I have added questions which relate to being a trader. I personally write notes to myself about my daily mistakes. And I think about these questions so I can identify the content of my notes.
1. Unfavorable hereditary background.
2. Lack of a well-defined purpose in life. Do you have desire and focus every day you trade?
3. Lack of ambition to aim above mediocrity. Do you learn by finding the answers yourself?
4. Insufficient education. Have you done adequate paper trading? Are you aware of the importance of trader psychology?
5. Lack of self-discipline. Are you able to self-correct mistakes?
6. Ill health. Are you 100% alert? Are you hungover?
7. Unfavorable environmental influences during childhood.
8. Procrastination. Do you delay making changes?
9. Lack of persistence.
10. Negative personality.
11. Lack of controlled sexual urge. LOL
12. Uncontrolled desire for “something for nothing”.
13. Lack of a well defined power of decision. Do you reach decisions promptly? Can you take losses without hesitation? Can you reverse your opinion in a split second?
14. One or more of the six basic fears. (fear of poverty, criticism, ill health, loss of love, old age, and death) Do you fear the opinions of others?
15. Wrong selection of a mate in marriage.
16. Over-caution. Are you comfortable with risk?
17. Wrong selection of associates in business.
18. Superstition and prejudice.
19. Wrong selection of a vocation. If trading makes you ill or unhappy, don't do it.
20. Lack of concentration of effort. Have you eliminated your distractions?
21. The habit of indiscriminate spending.
22. Lack of enthusiasm.
23. Intolerance.
24. Intemperance.
25. Inability to cooperate with others.
26. Possession of power that was not acquired through self-effort.
27. Intentional dishonesty.
28. Egotism and vanity. Do you feel a need to feed your ego?
29. Guessing instead of thinking.
30. Lack of capital.
