This one hurts to admit.
A few months back, I had a clean setup. NY low taken. Liquidity grabbed. Price snapped back. Textbook.
But I hesitated.
Second-guessed myself.
Chased it 10 seconds later… and got rinsed.
Not because the setup was wrong.
Because I messed up the execution.
You ever done that?
Fumbled a high-probability setup, then sat there wondering what just happened?
Yeah. You’re not alone.
Let’s break the cycle.
The Real Killer Isn’t Your Strategy—It’s Your Execution
We love to blame the strategy.
“It’s the indicator.”
“It’s the market conditions.”
“It’s just a weird week.”
Nah. Most of the time?
It’s us. Overthinking. Rushing. Freewheeling.
If you’re still improvising mid-trade, you’re not trading.
You’re reacting.
There’s a reason athletes have pre-game routines.
Pilots run checklists before every takeoff.
Execution routines eliminate noise. They keep emotion on a leash.
Traders need the same.
Let’s Cut to It: What Does a Real Execution Routine Look Like?
This isn’t about lighting candles or visualizing green candles into existence.
I’m talking real structure. Ground rules. Stuff you follow without debate.
1. Your Trigger Needs to Be Stupid-Clear
Not “the vibe feels right.”
Not “it kind of looks like the last winning setup.”
I’m talking clear, repeatable criteria.
Like:
“Price takes out previous session low → 1-min BOS → Pullback into FVG with displacement.”
See the difference? That’s something you can actually follow.
If it’s vague, you’ll bend it. And once you start bending… well, good luck staying consistent.
2. Define Entry, Stop, and TP—Before You Click
Sounds obvious, right?
Then why are so many of us still eyeballing targets mid-trade?
- Entry point: marked.
- Stop-loss: locked.
- Take profit: logical, not hopeful.
- Lot size: fits your risk cap.
Decide everything before you enter.
Don’t “adjust on the fly.” That’s not flexibility. That’s just panic in disguise.
3. No Half-Setups, No Exceptions
If a setup meets 70% of your rules, it’s not a trade.
It’s a temptation.
If you keep breaking your rules “just this once,” don’t be surprised when the results are inconsistent.
You don’t need more trades. You need better ones.
Track Your Mistakes Like You Track Your Wins
This part’s uncomfortable.
Do it anyway.
Start what I call The Screw-Up Log. Real simple:
- What rule did you break?
- Why did you break it?
- How’d it play out?
- What will you do differently next time?
Not for guilt. For awareness.
When you read, “Jumped in early again. No confirmation. Got stopped.”
…for the fifth time?
It sticks.
You’ll stop blaming the market.
And start fixing the real issue—you.
A Simple Pre-Trade Routine That Flips the Switch
Here’s one you can steal.
No fluff. Just five minutes of clarity before you even open the DOM.
1. Review Market Bias (5 mins)
- Mark key levels (previous high/low, liquidity pools).
- Define directional bias for the session—bullish, bearish, or neutral.
- Identify your setup zones.
2. Scan Your Mistakes (1 min)
Pick your last 2–3 mistakes. Glance through them.
Not to dwell. To remind.
3. Run the Trigger Checklist (Live)
Ask:
- Is this your setup?
- Did the trigger confirm?
- Are your stop and TP placed?
If yes → execute.
If no → do nothing. Nothing is a valid trade.
Rate Your Execution, Not Just the Outcome
Let this sink in:
A bad trade that wins is dangerous.
A good trade that loses is growth.
Start grading trades like this:
- Did I follow the plan?
- Did I manage it as I said I would?
- Did I break any rules?
If the answer’s “yes” to all the above, that’s a 10/10—even if it was a loser.
Because over time, execution skill > prediction skill.
Discipline Isn’t Glamorous, But It Pays
No one brags about passing on 3 setups.
Or journaling losses with brutal honesty.
Or sitting flat for 3 hours waiting for the clean trigger.
But that’s the stuff that builds accounts.
You want consistency? Then be consistent.
Not perfect. Not mechanical.
Just present, structured, and aware.
Here’s What You Can Do Today
- Write your setup and trigger conditions. Be specific.
- Predefine entry, stop, and TP for your next trade.
- Start the Screw-Up Log. No more hiding from mistakes.
- Create a 3-step pre-trade routine. Keep it short.
- After each trade, rate your execution—1 to 10.
That’s it. No fluff. Just structure, clarity, and accountability.
⬇️I have prepared a printable Trader Execution Routine Checklist and Journal Template. Feel free to download and share if you’ve found it helpful.
You can’t control the market. But you can control how you show up for it.
And once your execution matches your strategy?
That’s when things really start to click.
So, what’s sabotaging your trades right now?
Write it down. Or better, fix it.
One clean trade at a time.
Leave a Reply