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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Here’s What You Can Do Today

1. Write your setup and trigger conditions. Be specific.
2. Predefine entry, stop, and TP for your next trade.
3. Start the Screw-Up Log. No more hiding from mistakes.
4. Create a 3-step pre-trade routine. Keep it short.
5. After each trade, rate your execution—1 to 10.

That’s it. No fluff. Just structure, clarity, and accountability.

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⬇️I have prepared a printable Trader Execution Routine Checklist and Journal Template. Feel free to download and share if you’ve found it helpful.

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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.

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Most traders don’t review their trades properly. They think they do, but staring at a chart after a loss, shaking your head, and moving on doesn’t count. If you’re serious about improving, you need a structured, no-BS process.

Here’s how to review your trades properly so you stop making the same mistakes and actually improve.

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Step 1: Record Every Trade (Yes, Every Single One)

If you don’t track your trades, you’re flying blind. Every trade should be logged. That means:

Entry & exit price – Where you got in and out.

Position size – Small size? Full size? Be specific.

Trade direction – Long or short.

Time of entry & exit – Timing matters.

Reason for entry – Be brutally honest. No “I just had a feeling.”

Outcome – Win, loss, break-even.

Screenshots – Before, during, and after. Your memory isn’t reliable—document it.

Pro tip: Use a Google Sheet or a journaling tool like Notion or Edgewonk. Pick something and stick with it.

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Step 2: Review the Data (No Excuses, No Shortcuts)

Every day, go through your trades and ask:

Did I follow my plan? If not, why?

What worked? What did I do right, and how can I repeat it?

What failed? Be specific. “Got stopped out” isn’t enough—was my entry poor? Did I chase? Was the setup weak?

How was my execution? Fast and decisive, or hesitant and sloppy?

What could I have done better? Adjustments, not regrets.

Example: You shorted USDJPY because it rejected a key level, but you got stopped out. Looking back, price never actually shifted market structure. That’s a review-worthy mistake.

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Step 3: Identify Patterns (Find Your Strengths & Weaknesses)

At the end of the week, look for trends in your performance. Ask yourself:

What setups worked best? Certain time of day? Market conditions?

What kept failing? FOMO trades? Bad risk management?

Are my winners bigger than my losers? If not, my risk-reward is broken.

Do I perform better on certain days/times? Some traders thrive in the morning and struggle in the afternoon.

Spotting these patterns helps you refine your edge.

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Step 4: Adjust & Improve (Stop Repeating Mistakes)

Now take what you learned and apply it:

Cut out bad trades. If a setup keeps failing, stop trading it.

Double down on strengths. If a strategy works, trade it more.

Fix execution issues. Late entries? Hesitation? Work on it.

Adjust risk management. If losses are too big, tighten up.

A review is pointless if you don’t make changes.

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Step 5: Set Goals for the Next Week

Forget vague goals like “I’ll do better.” Be specific:

“I will only take trades with a clear shift in market structure.”

“I will not chase after missed trades.”

“I will stick to my stop-loss and not move it.”

Make it black and white. No gray areas.

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Final Thought: Treat This Like a Business

Pros review their performance. Amateurs hope for better results. If you want to make money, start acting like a pro.

Do your daily and weekly trade reviews. Identify what’s working, cut what isn’t, and refine your edge. Simple, not easy. But that’s trading.

Now, go do the work.