Many businesses spend days and thousands of dollars working to define their Unique Selling Propositions (USP's) so that the public gets a clear, concise message. The USP is usually also the "edge" which make these businesses stand out from their competition. In day trading, you need to define YOUR edge. This is to help you become clear on what it is that makes you money on a CONSISTENT basis, both now and well into the future! If you haven't defined your edge yet, chances are that you will have at least one good edge if you give it some thought; and most likely it will be a personality trait that separates you from the rest. You may not know your edge at this time, however, so spend a few hours and ponder these areas when determining what sets you apart from all of the other traders in the marketplace:

Start with your characteristics and what you think could possibly distinguish you as a better trader than someone else:

• Are you faster on the keyboard than most other people?

• Do you have a background in one of the riskier professions (pilot, firefighter, etc.) so that you are comfortable with risk?

• Do you have more tenacity than other people you know?

• Are you able to blend humility along with decisiveness better than most people you know?

• Can you accept losses emotionally and still perform with precision?

• Are you extremely analytical?

• Are you faster at mathematical calculations?

• Do you think in probabilities?

• Are you more disciplined?

• Are you comfortable with wealth?

The last question is important. After a while in trading you may notice that many traders have some form of "self-sabotage" which prevents them from accepting the wealth they could obtain.

For the more "functional" ways to determine your edge, ask yourself:

• Do you have new ways to use a specific technical indicator?

• Have you created your own proprietary indicator?

• Do you have better technology (faster, more robust, etc.)?

• Do you have specific trading education which most people do not have?

• Do you have any background with previous traders such as having been on the trading floor or trading pits?

• Do you have programming language experience to help you write programs to trade the markets?

• Do you trade around and/or associate with consistently profitable traders?

• Do you have better money management techniques?

• Do you have access to thorough risk management measures?

The are just some topics to get you started thinking about your edge. Once you have defined your it, develop day trading strategies around your edge(s) so that you play to your strengths. While the market offers no guarantees of success, a trading style based on your strengths will increase your confidence when trading in the markets. Hopefully this confidence and reassurance will help you become more profitable on a consistent basis.