How To Break Out of a Trading Slump

The definition of slump that I find most fitting is "a period
of decline or deterioration."   Since trading is so psychological by
nature, this period of decline or deterioration has to be expected.  I
don't think there is anyway to avoid it, it's inevitable.  The bottom
line is that I've either been in a slump or my level of inexperience
and ability is just not sufficient for it to be called anything but
expected.  

What can you or I do (or not do) to break out of this slump?  

1. Take steroids like athletes do.  This is certainly one way to do
   it in baseball or other sports but unfortunately in trading, there is
   no such thing.
2. By trying harder.  This seems like a sure-fire way to prolong the
   slump and this added pressure only makes things worse.  This could lead
   to overtrading and heavier losses. 
3. Taking a short break.  This sometimes helps me to refocus and
   takes my mind off the negativity.  This can definitely be a difference
   maker in breaking out of a slump and certainly has to be seriously
   considered as a "cure."  
4. Take a complete inventory of why you love trading.  Personally,
   if I don't love something, I just don't want to put the time or effort
   into doing it for there to be success. 
5. Trade in your demo account.  I feel like trading my demo account
   throughout April has helped considerably.  I've managed to take my demo
   account very seriously and I have a new fond respect for its ability to
   help me break out of a slump.
6. Change your routine.  If you don't have a daily routine, maybe
   creating one would help and if you already have one, maybe changing it
   would make all the difference.
7. Stop thinking in terms of winning and losing.  Focus more on
   whether your overall trading skills are improving even if you're losing
   more than you're winning. 
8. Unstress yourself.  Do something else other than trading that can
   relieve the everyday stress of trading and life in general.  Sometimes
   I forget why I'm striving to be a full-time trader, to have more
   freedom and security to enjoy things outside of earning a living.
9. Try something new or simpler.
10. Find someone that can help.  This someone could be in person, in a book, or just another fellow trader.

I'm not a trading expert, nor an expert in the field of psychology
but I read a lot and breaking out of a trading slump is really no
different than breaking out of any other slump that life throws out at
you.  I think we all have the ability to break out of it because of all
the experience from past slumps that we've encountered.  If I ever want
to be a full-time trader, learning how to break out sooner than later
can make the difference in whether I'm a success or failure.   

Lately, I feel like I'm ready to break out of this slump… I just feel it. 

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