Why Process Beats Impulse

Markets reward consistency. A trader with a modest edge executed with discipline typically outperforms a brilliant but inconsistent trader. This page gives you a repeatable framework: goals → plan → execution → review → iteration.

Goal‑Setting Systems (SMART & OKRs)

SMART Goals

• Specific — e.g., “Journal every trade within 15 minutes of exit.”
• Measurable — track win%, avg R, max drawdown, rule compliance %.
• Achievable — stretch but realistic (avoid moonshots).
• Relevant — tied to your strategy and risk profile.
• Time‑bound — weekly, monthly, quarterly targets.

OKRs (Objectives & Key Results)

Objective: Improve execution quality.
Key Results: (1) ≥ 95% pre‑trade checklist compliance; (2) ≤ 2 discretionary overrides/month; (3) ≥ 90% trades placed in plan’s time windows.

Discipline Habits & Daily Routine

• Pre‑market (15–30 min): calendar check, news risks, HTF levels, bias map, alerts set.
• Session plan (5–10 min): choose 1–3 A‑setups; define invalidation & 1R in pips/dollars.
• Execution block: trade only during your defined time window; avoid screen‑chasing outside plan.
• Post‑trade (≤15 min): journal entry, screenshot, tag (setup type, win/loss, mistakes).
• End‑day (10 min): metrics update, brief reflection, plan for tomorrow.

Strategy Design — From Hypothesis to Rules

1. Hypothesis: e.g., “During London–NY overlap, EUR/USD pullbacks to 20–50 EMA within an uptrend tend to continue.”
2. Definitions: trend (50/200 SMA up), pullback (return to 20–50 EMA), trigger (engulfing close, RSI>45).
3. Risk rules: risk ≤1% per trade; stop below last swing; max 2 correlated positions.
4. Trade plan: entry checklist, TP/SL logic, partials, time stop (e.g., close if not working in 3 candles).
5. Validation: backtest 100+ samples; forward test 30 trades on demo; review expectancy & drawdown.

Metrics That Matter

Journaling System — Make Learning Measurable

Each trade entry should include:

• Screenshot(s) with HTF/LTF context and notes.
• Setup tag (e.g., Trend‑Pullback A, Breakout B, Reversal C).
• Entry, SL/TP, size, R planned, R realized.
• Checklist score (0–100%) and any rule deviations.
• Emotions (1–2 sentences): fear/greed, boredom, FOMO rating 1–5.

Weekly, categorize top/bottom setups and review common mistakes. Remove or refine low‑edge patterns.

Review Cadence — Weekly & Monthly

Psychology & Resilience

• Pre‑commitment: Write rules you agree not to break (e.g., max daily loss 2R, walk away after hit).
• Environment design: Remove platforms/apps during off hours; use alarms to avoid impulse trades.
• Recovery protocol: After a tilt/error, stop trading for the day, journal the trigger, run a short walk or breathing exercise.

Non‑Negotiable Risk Rules

• Risk per trade ≤ 1–2% of account; reduce during news/low liquidity.
• Max daily loss ≤ 2–3R; stop trading for the day if reached.
• No adding to losers. Scale into winners only per plan.
• Maintain cash buffer; avoid withdrawals during drawdowns.

Templates — Checklists You Can Reuse

Pre‑Trade Checklist
[ ] Calendar checked; no high‑impact news in next 30 min
[ ] HTF bias aligns with setup
[ ] Entry trigger matches plan
[ ] SL beyond invalidation; R defined in $ and pips
[ ] Size calculated; correlation checked
[ ] Partial/exit plan set; alerts placed
[ ] Emotion check (FOMO 1–5)

Post‑Trade Checklist
[ ] Journaled within 15 min
[ ] Screenshot with notes
[ ] Rule compliance scored
[ ] What to keep / what to fix

Next Steps

Create your personal plan: write one Objective and 3 Key Results for the next month; set daily routines and risk rules; start a journal; and schedule weekly reviews. Iterate with data — your edge compounds through disciplined execution.