Financial Risk Taking explores the complex relationship between human behaviour and the markets, offering the reader a context in which to assess their own strengths and weaknesses. It is essential reading for anyone wishing to invest in stocks and trade futures as part of a Self- Investment Pension or day trading business. Following years of trading and careful research the author has developed the comprehensive Model of Trading Competence that depicts the competences and competencies required to succeed. The book embraces some controversial issues and introduces the concepts of: Perceptual Errors - how these negatively influence the trading process and how to overcome them through applying techniques such as analysis and refutation. Emotions - are they enabling or disabling in the investment/trading forum? Research showing that they are indispensible to the decision processes in trading and everyday life is discussed. The Paramouncy Principle - demonstrates that you are the most importan t variable in the trading equation. Self-Sabotaging Behaviours - what they are and how to overcome them. Loss and Success Depression - what are success and failure