What Does it take for you to start investing ?

Ok, let’s get to the point what is it that you need to have in you to be good at the stock market, and make some money … if you are thinking on the lines of an MBA in Finance From Harvard… not exactly, here are a few pointers:
Let’s take them one at a time.

Knowledge: You don’t need to fully understand the capital market or portfolio management theory to get started. Start with reading about the 5 companies where you want to be the shareholder. I am tempted to recommend 7 companies but you can start with as many as you can handle. From 1-10. Let’s keep a cap at 10.
As you read about them, you’ll learn a few jargons along the way like EPS, PE Ratio, etc. Don’t be finicky about learning everything as if you have to answer a test paper. Don’t worry, it’s not rocket science but plain simple common sense!
In a few months, you’d be raring to invest in a few of them. Go by your instinct and go for it. Ask around for tips and you’ll be more befuddled than before!

Attitude: Many say that the stock market is a zero sum game where some people make money and some make losses. I guess, it’s true on a day to day basis. But on a longer term, good stocks help you make more money than others. Period.
So decide for yourself that whether you’ll be able to stay positive during the downturns. If the slightest tremors on the stock market have an impact on your own heart, it’s better you stay away. It’s not for the faint hearted, dear.

Skills: Skills normally require knowledge, attitude and practice. In fact if you have the knowledge and the attitude, skill automatically comes in.
It’s like if you have love and compassion, peace/harmony/happiness naturally follows in!!
The few skills I can think of are: Analytical skills, operating the trading account/Demat account and monitoring them.
A few more things like your confidence level, motives and value systems also contribute to your money skills.
In fact, your money competencies are a combination of your knowledge, skills, attitude and your overall orientation (Values/Motives/Confidence)
To my mind, it’s important to be aware of your own realities about the above competencies before you start investing in stocks.
Feel free to share your comments.

for a better understanding of how you could begin investing in stocks and shares you could take a look at http://kotaksecurities.com/smartstart/