Pre-market routine: 10 minutes to better trades

The first 10 minutes of your trading day set the tone for everything that follows. Most traders spend this time scrolling Twitter, scanning news, or anxiously watching pre-market action.

There's a better way.

A structured pre-market routine doesn't require extra time—just more intentional use of time you're already spending. And the payoff is better decision-making, clearer focus, and fewer emotional trades.

Why Routines Work

Elite performers in every field use routines. Surgeons, pilots, athletes—they all have pre-performance rituals that prepare their minds for high-stakes decisions.

Trading is no different. A routine:

• Shifts your brain from reactive to proactive — You start the day focused, not frazzled
• Creates a clean break from personal life — You're transitioning into "trading mode"
• Reduces decision fatigue — The important decisions are already made
• Builds discipline through repetition — Consistency in small things builds consistency in big things

The 10-Minute Pre-Market Routine

This is designed to be simple enough that you'll actually do it. Customize as needed, but start with the basics.

Minutes 1-3: Review Yesterday

Before looking at today's charts, spend three minutes on yesterday:

• What were your planned trades vs. actual trades?
• Did you follow your rules?
• What's the one lesson to carry forward?

This isn't deep analysis—just a quick mental review to maintain continuity.

Minutes 4-6: Set Today's Intention

Answer these questions in writing (or mentally):

• What's my focus today? (One thing, not five)
• What's the maximum I'm willing to lose today?
• What emotional states will I watch for?
• If I feel triggered, what will I do?

Minutes 7-9: Check Your Body

Your physical state affects your trading:

• Did you sleep enough?
• Have you eaten?
• How's your stress level (1-10)?
• Any external distractions today?

If you're tired, stressed, or distracted, consider reducing position sizes or sitting out entirely.

Minute 10: Breathe

Take 60 seconds for slow, deep breaths. This isn't woo-woo—it activates your parasympathetic nervous system and brings you into a calmer state for decision-making.

Four seconds in, hold for four, four seconds out. Repeat 5-6 times.

What NOT to Do Before Trading

• Don't check social media — Other people's opinions create noise
• Don't obsess over pre-market action — It often reverses by open
• Don't rush — Starting anxious leads to anxious trading
• Don't skip the routine — "I'll just do it tomorrow" becomes never

Making It Stick

The routine only works if you do it consistently. Here's how:

1. Same time every day — Anchor it to a fixed trigger (coffee, first alarm, etc.)
2. Write it down — Keep a physical checklist until it's automatic
3. Start small — Even 5 minutes is better than nothing
4. Track compliance — Note whether you did the routine each day

The Compound Effect

Individual routines don't create magic results. But done daily over months, they compound. You'll notice:

• Fewer impulsive trades
• Better rule compliance
• Faster recovery from losses
• Clearer thinking under pressure

That's not luck. That's the result of showing up prepared, every single day.