Your Pre-Market Prep

The Simple Morning Checklist That Helps Traders Start Sharp

What does your pre-market routine look like?

Are you rolling out of bed, slamming a double espresso, and diving into your chair seconds before the bell?

No? Good.

Are you spending three hours analysing every chart, news item, and moon phase to prep?

Also no? Great.

The answer…like most things in trading, is somewhere in the middle.

Where you sit on that spectrum depends on your style and personality…

PRE-MARKET ROUTINE

Alright, let’s build out your pre-market process.

Just a few quick checks can get you prepared mentally, operationally, and tactically for the day ahead

Non-Negotiables

Headline Risk – Know your scheduled econ data, central bank speeches, and potential tweet bombs.
Daily/Weekly Charts – Big picture. Direction. Sentiment. Bias. Don’t skip it.
Risk Reminder – Daily loss limit, position size, max exposure. Lock it in before the heat starts.
Focus Cue – What are you working on right now? Holding trades longer? Taking fewer setups? Say it out loud.
Earnings – In season? Know what’s due and what’s priced in.

Optional (but useful)

News Scan – Quick scan of financial headlines. Real risk or fluff?
Bias – Have one, or don’t. But decide before the bell.
Key Levels – Areas of interest. S/R. Key levels. Gaps. You know your spots.
Trade Ideas – Workshop some setups. Drive + pullback, flush + pop? Don’t be caught shooting from the hip.

Your job as a trader?

Cover the ground that matters, efficiently.
Just focus on the few elements that move the needle for you, and make them a habit.

Because that process?
It tells your brain: You’re in control. You’re ready. You’re here to take trading seriously.

Let’s get after it this week, ladies and gents.