It comes down to this:

Competency X Frequency = Profit

You need to keep coming back to your computer and building solid programming skills, exploring good ideas, disposing of bad ideas, and making it a point to learn stuff when you'd rather be sitting back and watching TV.

Your starting point is your starting point - it's either advantageous or disadvantageous. You also have your strengths and weaknesses.

I started off by trying to day trade with charts. It didn't go well (30% loss). BUT - I have an engineering background and an MBA, so this programming stuff with research is way up my alley, and I can jump right into it. (Also, I programmed in MQL before - which also helps).

If you have good competencies in other areas, consider finding a way to leverage those competencies. Otherwise, keep building it up.

We're all gonna make it!

Andrew