The best traders use checklists. Pilots use them before every flight. Surgeons use them before every procedure. Checklists prevent costly mistakes caused by emotion, distraction, or forgetfulness. Here’s your complete trading checklist — use it for every single trade.
BEFORE the Trade (Pre-Trade Checklist)
- ☐ Is the setup in my trading plan? (If not, DON’T TAKE IT)
- ☐ What direction is the higher timeframe trend?
- ☐ Am I trading WITH the trend? (Not against it?)
- ☐ Are all my entry conditions met?
- ☐ Where is my stop-loss? (Defined BEFORE entry)
- ☐ Where is my target? (At least 2:1 R:R?)
- ☐ What is my position size? (Calculated by risk %)
- ☐ Am I risking only 1-2% of my account?
- ☐ Am I emotionally neutral? (Not angry, excited, or revenge trading?)
- ☐ Are there any major news events that could disrupt? (Fed meetings, CPI data, etc.)
- ☐ Is volume confirming the setup?
- ☐ Screenshot the chart with my analysis marked
DURING the Trade (Trade Management)
- ☐ Is my stop-loss set and active?
- ☐ Am I NOT watching the trade tick by tick? (Set alerts and walk away)
- ☐ Has the setup invalidated? (If yes, exit early — don’t wait for stop)
- ☐ Has Target 1 been hit? (Take partial profit, move stop to breakeven)
- ☐ Am I tempted to move my stop further away? (DON’T)
- ☐ Am I tempted to take profit too early? (Stick to the plan)
- ☐ Is there new information that changes my thesis? (Adapt if necessary)
AFTER the Trade (Post-Trade Review)
- ☐ Record in trading journal: entry, exit, P&L, R-multiple
- ☐ Save a screenshot of the chart at exit
- ☐ Was this a valid setup? (Did I follow my rules?)
- ☐ If loss: what could I learn? Was it a good loss (valid setup, just didn’t work) or a bad loss (broke rules)?
- ☐ If win: was this skill or luck? Would I take the same trade again?
- ☐ How did I feel emotionally? Any patterns?
- ☐ Am I in the right emotional state for the next trade? (If not, take a break)
WEEKLY Checklist
- ☐ Review all trades from the week
- ☐ Calculate win rate, average R, profit factor
- ☐ Identify best and worst trades
- ☐ Check if I followed my rules (honestly)
- ☐ Update watchlist for next week
- ☐ Adjust strategy if data suggests improvements
- ☐ Review equity curve — am I trending in the right direction?
How to Use This Checklist
Print it out. Laminate it. Put it next to your screen. Before every trade, go through each item. If ANY item is not checked, don’t take the trade. This simple habit will prevent 80% of the mistakes that cost traders money. The checklist is your trading seatbelt. Always wear it. Apply this on every Mal.io trade.
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