lost_boy -
Primary aim is to limit losses. This keeps you alive long enough to get to stage 2. Always set a stop as soon as you open a position, don't move it, make sure the max loss will not wipe you out, even if hit 20 times consecutively on 20 trades. If the price is moving towards your stop, why not cut the position size anyway? (if you're skidding towards a brick wall, you would still try to brake woudn't you?).
Secondary aim is to make money. Use small stakes, take early profits. Learn to manage positions with real money, not paper trades. Ensure you have a consistently paying system, then enlarge your position sizes and run your profits longer. But still respect money management. There is no way to make big money from small capital consistently.