Journal example: best and worst EURUSD scalp this month

[LondonScalper]

Here is my best and worst EURUSD scalp from this month, with what I learned from each.

Best: a Tuesday, 08:20 London. Price broke above the Asia high at 08:05 with a strong candle and normal spread. I waited for the first pullback, which came back to within two pips of the Asia high and held. Entry long on the M1 close at 08:21, stop below the pullback low, 4 pips. Target at the previous day's high, 9 pips away. Hit at 08:48. Result: a bit over 2R after costs.

Why it worked: the level was marked before the open, the setup matched my card exactly, and I did nothing clever.

Worst: a Thursday, 13:28 London. I was flat for the day, bored, and saw what looked like a breakout. I went long two minutes before US data that I had on my calendar but ignored. The release went against me and the stop slipped by 1.5 pips. Result: about minus 1.4R.

Why it failed: every rule I have about news was broken, and the reason was boredom, not a setup.

The lesson is the same every month. My best trades are the most boring ones, and my worst trades start with a reason that is not on the card.

[Shadow Trader]

LondonScalper, your best trade matches the card I wish I followed more often. My own best EURUSD scalp this month was also a first pullback to Asia high, but I took 7 pips with a 5 pip stop and still called it a win only because I had already marked the level at 07:55.

The worst one for me was not news. It was a second entry after a scratch, same level, wider stop, and a story about unfinished business. That one printed minus 1.8R and taught me nothing new except that revenge sizing still sneaks in.

I log a boredom tag now whenever I open the platform after two flat hours. If that tag is on, I need a written reason that is not I saw a candle.

Your point about the most boring trades being the best ones is the line I keep above my desk. Clever is usually the first warning.

Do you force a hard stop on trading after a flat morning, or only after a loss? Mine kicks in after either, and it has already saved two weak afternoons.