What you do before a trade matters

To succeed in trading, you need to place yourself in an optimal state as often as possible. It’s not just about the trade itself – it’s about what you do before. Your preparation is what determines how stable and effective you’ll be when it truly counts.

Of course, we can make profits even when we’re not at our best. But the risk is that we start acting in ways that don’t align with our strategy, our process, or our optimal performance. And that builds shaky foundations. For long-term success, you need something stronger.

Here are a few key things to focus on before you enter a trade:

🔋 Recharge your batteries

Trading demands energy and presence. Make sure you’ve filled up your resources before the market opens. Did you get enough sleep? Have you moved your body, worked out, or gotten fresh air? Are you taking breaks to let your brain recover? The more rested and energized you are, the sharper your decisions will be.

⏰ Decide WHEN to trade

Be honest with yourself – when do you perform at your best? Are you sharpest in the morning, or do you focus better later in the day? Do you notice yourself taking sloppy risks in the evening? Observe your own patterns and schedule your trading during the hours when you’re at your peak.

🚪 Shut out the noise

When you’re in a trade, your full attention needs to be there. Look at what’s stealing your focus. Maybe you should avoid reading chats or forums right before taking action. Do you have an environment where you can sit undisturbed and fully focused? Create the conditions for presence.

🧠 Got other things on your mind? Skip trading

Life always seeps into trading. If something has happened – maybe worry, conflict, or emotional turbulence – it will follow you to the screen. In those moments, it’s often wiser to pause, take care of what’s going on, and return to trading when you feel stable and clear.

Creating an optimal state means viewing trading as a whole – something that spans the entire day, not just the moments you click buy or sell. How you take care of yourself beforehand directly impacts your endurance, focus, and emotional balance.

💡 Pro Tip:

Start observing when you perform at your best. Is it morning or afternoon? Certain days of the week? Collect data on what truly makes a difference – then try to prioritize trading during those times.