Many analysts, especially those early in their career, make the mistake of assuming stock picking is primarily about creating a detailed financial model and conducting a thorough valuation. While these are critical, there are many other key elements to making great stock calls, which are more difficult to master and often underappreciated. Mastery requires creating a forecast more accurate than consensus, selecting an optimal valuation multiple, setting a realistic price target, identifying a catalyst, ensuring the ideal entry point and objectively reviewing your performance and thesis.