Most traders think they lack discipline. Usually they lack a routine. When every session follows the same steps, there are fewer moments where you have to decide on impulse, and impulse is where rules get broken.
Before the session (15 minutes)
- Check the economic calendar and mark the no-trade windows.
- Mark key levels on your two to four markets.
- Write today's plan: which setups, which direction, maximum trades, maximum loss.
- Check your state: tired, angry or distracted? Then trade smaller or not at all.
During the session
- Only trade when an alert hits a planned level.
- Calculate the size for every trade from the stop distance.
- After each trade, write one line in the journal before looking for the next.
- Stop at the maximum trades, two losses or half of the daily limit.
After the session (10 minutes)
- Screenshot every trade with entry, stop and exit.
- Mark each trade: followed the plan, or broke a rule (which one?).
- Write one thing to keep and one thing to change tomorrow.
Weekly review
Every weekend, look at the week's trades: which setup made money, which lost, on which days and times. Adjust the plan based on numbers, not on the last trade's feelings.