Most traders think consistency is built on catching every move. I used to think the same — that if I missed a leg, I was leaving money on the table. But over time, I’ve come to see the opposite is true. The more I chased, the less consistent I became.
Now, I aim for something far simpler: one good trade per day.
What Counts as a Good Trade
A good trade isn’t defined by profit. It’s defined by process.
- I followed my rules.
- I managed my risk.
- I executed cleanly.
Sometimes that means entering and scaling out with precision. Other times it means sitting on my hands because the market never aligned with my playbook. Both count.
A losing trade can also be a good trade, if it followed my framework and I managed the exit correctly.
Why We Overcomplicate It
Traders are wired to do more — more screens, more analysis, more trades. The fear of missing out is strong. But doing more usually adds noise, not clarity.
The result is fatigue, hesitation, or worse, tilt. You get caught in a loop of second-guessing and overtrading.
“One Good Trade” is the antidote. It narrows the focus to what really matters: one setup, executed with discipline.
The Benefits of This Approach
- Clarity
You don’t wake up thinking about dozens of possible trades. You just need to find the one that fits your framework. - Consistency
One good trade, day after day, adds up. Small wins compound faster than erratic bursts. - Confidence
Journaling one trade per day builds a chain of proof. Over time, you see the habit forming — not in your P&L, but in your discipline.
How to Apply It
- Pre-Session: Define what setups count for you. Write them down.
- During Session: Wait for alignment. If it triggers, execute without hesitation.
- Post-Session: Journal why it qualified as your one good trade — or why standing aside was the right call.
The key is to make the goal process-driven. If you wait for your setups and trade them properly, you’ve already won for the day.
A Quiet Reflection
Trading doesn’t reward the busiest trader. It rewards the one who can repeat what works.
One good trade per day is enough. Enough to build confidence. Enough to refine your edge. Enough to turn discipline into second nature.
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