The Pre-Session Checklist: Starting the Trading Day on Purpose
Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2026 5:41 pm
The Pre-Session Checklist: Starting the Trading Day on Purpose
Most trading errors begin before the first trade. A short checklist at the start of the session sets the conditions for good decisions.
First, check the environment. Is your internet reliable? Is your platform connected, with correct server time? Are there any broker announcements about maintenance or changed hours?
Second, review the account. What is your balance and open exposure? Are there carry-over positions? What are your daily loss limit and maximum trades for today?
Third, review the market. What is the higher timeframe bias? What are the levels of interest? What events are due, and when?
Fourth, set the rules for the day. Which setups are valid? Which are off the table because of news or conditions? What lot sizes will you use at each stop distance?
Fifth, check yourself. How did you sleep? Is something distracting you? Have you eaten? Are you carrying frustration from yesterday's losses? If your state is poor, plan to trade less or not at all.
Sixth, commit. Write down the day's plan in one or two lines.
The checklist takes five minutes. Its value is in forcing deliberation before the market tempts you to act on impulse.
Practical step: print the checklist and tick each item before you place your first trade of the day.
Most trading errors begin before the first trade. A short checklist at the start of the session sets the conditions for good decisions.
First, check the environment. Is your internet reliable? Is your platform connected, with correct server time? Are there any broker announcements about maintenance or changed hours?
Second, review the account. What is your balance and open exposure? Are there carry-over positions? What are your daily loss limit and maximum trades for today?
Third, review the market. What is the higher timeframe bias? What are the levels of interest? What events are due, and when?
Fourth, set the rules for the day. Which setups are valid? Which are off the table because of news or conditions? What lot sizes will you use at each stop distance?
Fifth, check yourself. How did you sleep? Is something distracting you? Have you eaten? Are you carrying frustration from yesterday's losses? If your state is poor, plan to trade less or not at all.
Sixth, commit. Write down the day's plan in one or two lines.
The checklist takes five minutes. Its value is in forcing deliberation before the market tempts you to act on impulse.
Practical step: print the checklist and tick each item before you place your first trade of the day.