Why Do I Doubt My Trades?
A Simple Framework to Diagnose Trade Doubt
You know that moment when you second guess a trade the instant you take it?
Out of nowhere, doubt floods in.
You’re not really sure why…
And you either ignore it and just hold, or mull it over constantly until you can’t take it anymore and close the damn thing (usually resulting in the market immediately flying off in your desired direction 
)
Yeah it’s annoying, so what’s the solution?
THREE STEPS
Well, that voice is telling you something, and you need to figure out what.
So, firstly, go back to your process… (not got a process? make one, it can be as simple as a few steps, video link below if you need inspo)
Then quickly ask yourself, “does this trade align with my process or is it just a hunch, perhaps a hidden piece of FOMO?”
If the trade is not part of your process… well, you don’t need me to tell you what the correct action is.
Close the trade, reason?
Not part of my repeatable process and that little voice is reminding you “we promised to stick to the plan”
But, if it does tick the process boxes?
Then it’s likely something else is triggering your doubt.
Ok, next step…
Double check you’ve not missed anything like major news or an early close… your subconscious has a great way of sensing something’s not quite right even if your conscious can’t quite work out what!
Then, ask yourself the question.
Why do I truly doubt this position?
The answer is often “I’m not comfortable with the risk”
Ah…now we are getting somewhere.
Not all trades are created equal. Maybe there’s just something about this play you don’t like, you can’t put your finger on it. It ticks all the boxes, but it just feels uncomfortable.
Solution? Consider trimming down the position size.
Dial it down until you feel calm again.
Same stop. Same plan. Just smaller.
Remember a trade doesn’t have to be all on or off.
Size is an anxiety amplifier (And there are no “safe spaces” in trading…)
So to recap:
Feeling discomfort? Do this:
- Process check. Is this trade part of your plan?
- “Missed anything?” check. Trust your gut. You might’ve overlooked something big.
(“NFP today, you clown” = your subconscious) - Risk check. If it’s still valid but feels wrong… size down.
The goal here is always patient, calm, intentional trading. Not anxiety ridden stressful execution…
Still working on your process? this Terrain, Target, Trigger framework video may help.