Al, Bk,  I look at a bit different, but I follow Al's approach.Start the year with {whatever $ amt) say 100K, and my goal is to raise that on a percentage basis until the end of the year, and see what % I can make. The more the better, obviously. I am not long, on too many stocks, as I have been able to increase my stash much quicker, trading stocks-daily weekly. Your right Bk it can be nerve racking, but is also quite a rush. I presently trade in and out of approximately 20 different stocks(Uranium-Gold Silver Copper-Zinc).I never fall in love with a stock. I was burnt bad a couple of times early on in my trading career. I trade on up and down days, by following the pattern of the stock-intraday chart-volume etc. On the norm a stock will go up or down so far on a given day. I find by learning these patterns, I have a bit of a handle on when to get in and when to get out. I contstantly follow real time quotes looking for an entry, exit point. A lot of it is in the gut. It is hard trying to explain in a few lines, how I do it, but I hope this helps you BKl 

Tks RR