Ive been trading the past year, (14 months), and in that time frame I have lost $5k to the market due to my greed and lack of skills when it comes to cutting a bad ticker fast.  I have been struggling with risk management and did calculations to somehow come up with a concrete number to help me minimize losses...1-1.96%. With the small trades I have been able to take, I have noticed my cutting skills getting better every time. I managed to wipe out my account for the (unknown) time. I try to make mental trades when there's a good setup but mental trades are as good as you believe they are but it helps in recognizing patterns. I don't paper trade I don't think I plan to. I usually forget I have open trades and well that's a waste of time.  I plan on adding $1k-$1.5k soon hopefully before October but we shall see.  

My disclaimer: I absolutely love challenges and don't stop until I master them. And I love day trading so expect a day trading god-dess in a few years.