Great question really. I think about this topic quite a lot and can never come up with a totally satisfactory explanation. I think it is a little of a number of things:

• An extention of my love for strategy games
• An endeavor to work on improving myself constantly
• A pursuit where success is only limited by my imagination

I thought I knew why i traded - at least what I told myself - to make generate money.
Then I started actually journaling and discovered a whoel lot about myself that I had managed to hide.
Originally I thought it was to generate money. If that were really the reason, then I need to look at my motivation because it ain't happening yet.

Reality was I traded to distinquish myself from others, to be different. That will not make me successful as a trader. Now, with the help of a journal and some "trading therapy", I can say that why I trade is still evolving.

These reasons I know:
1. to satisfy my technically curious mind that loves to tinker with indicators
2. to provide a way for my family to enjoy more of the fruits of life
3. to develop a system that my young adult children can use to generate cash flow if and when the economy tanks
4. to facilitate freedom

I recall an old trading quote, "Master your setup, master yourself". I always thought that was just an interesting phrase written by some old Hippie turned trader.

In the past month, I have come to realize the truth of the statement.

To master one system, to be a competent trader is less about being a succesful trader for me and more about my life and personal development as a human being.

I trust that the goodies will come as I master my own self and my mind/body/heart/soul.