Author Archives: Conor Browne

Archive, Zoom Daily

Daily Meeting for Wednesday April 16

Posted on by Conor Browne

Owning the First Setup and Eliminating the Pause

• Missed high-conviction trigger in tech, even after the level was mapped and called out in real time.

• Team hesitated waiting for ‘cleaner price structure’, despite everything aligning with the plan.

• Ernie reminded: clean = planned—not perfect; execution comes from trust, not candle shape.

• Breakdown of post-miss behavior, including emotional re-entries that lacked structure and led to losses.

• Starter entry protocol reinforced, especially for A-tier setups: commit with size, manage with logic.

• Thursday goal locked in: execute the first clean trigger from prep without delay. Review it. Own it.

Summary

the team reviewed yet another missed A-tier setup—this time in tech—despite the level being called out and fully aligned with the morning plan. The hesitation again came down to waiting for some “extra clarity” that wasn’t actually required.

Ernie reframed this habit clearly: clean means planned. If the setup is built and price hits the level, that is the green light. Not every entry will feel perfect—but if you wait until it does, you’re already late.

The meeting also addressed the emotional snowball effect that followed: after skipping the clean entry, several traders jumped into unstructured follow-up trades out of frustration, leading to losses that could’ve been avoided with disciplined execution on the first opportunity.

To reset, the Thursday goal is clear: when the first clean trigger hits—especially if it’s on the morning plan—it must be executed. No pause. No edits. Execute, manage, then review.

Archive, Zoom Daily

Daily Meeting for Tuesday April 15

Posted on by Conor Browne

Executing Without Lag and Closing the Confidence Gap

• Skipped early clean trigger in energy, despite pre-market plan being aligned and level hitting perfectly.

• Team discussed waiting for ‘perfect price action’, which led to missed entries as the move accelerated.

• Ernie emphasized conviction comes from the prep, not the live candle shape—it’s either a setup or it isn’t.

• Reminder to use starter size to overcome hesitation, allowing flexibility while still participating.

• Overtrading after the miss surfaced again, with multiple C-tier setups taken midday in an attempt to “catch up.”

• Tomorrow’s focus: full trust in the first A-tier trigger—execute without edits, then manage with clarity.

Summary

the team reviewed a missed energy sector breakout that had been clearly prepped and triggered early—but wasn’t taken. Traders cited concerns about the “look” of the price action, despite it meeting every technical requirement laid out that morning.

Ernie addressed the confidence gap directly: if the plan is built correctly, the live execution doesn’t need to feel perfect—it needs to happen. The team re-committed to the use of starter size on first-touch triggers to get positioned without hesitation and manage from there.

Post-miss behavior was also reviewed. After skipping the clean setup, several traders overcompensated with unnecessary midday trades, none of which had the quality or R:R of the missed A-tier opportunity.

To reset, tomorrow’s focus is simple: trust the prep. When the first A-tier setup triggers, it must be taken without edits. Execute, manage, learn. But don’t delay.

Archive, Zoom Daily

Daily Meeting for Monday April 14

Posted on by Conor Browne

Reconnecting Prep to Execution and Cutting the Delay Loop

• Missed first-hour setup in tech, even though it matched all pre-market criteria and triggered cleanly.

• Team flagged over-checking second indicators, which delayed entries on otherwise confirmed setups.

• Ernie reframed hesitation as a trust issue, not a technical one—the plan was right, the follow-through wasn’t.

• First-touch starter entry reinforced, especially on A-tier setups where speed outweighs perfect sizing.

• Post-trade reviews showed strongest outcomes from early, decisive entries, not over-filtered trades.

• Challenge for Tuesday: execute the first A-tier setup exactly as prepped—no confirmation stacking, no edits, just entry.

Summary

the team unpacked a key miss on a textbook first-hour tech setup. Despite nailing the pre-market planning, most of the team held back at the moment of trigger—citing a desire for “one more confirmation” before entering. Ernie emphasized that this isn’t a technical issue—it’s a trust issue. When the prep is solid and the level hits, the execution must follow.

The discussion also returned to the concept of first-touch starter entries. Waiting for more information often means missing the opportunity entirely, while early entries (even small) create control, positioning, and composure.

Post-trade reviews clearly showed that the best trades of the week came from clean, decisive execution—not trades that were over-filtered or delayed. Ernie closed the session with a challenge for Tuesday: when the first A-tier setup triggers, execute it exactly as planned. No edits. No stacking confirmations. Just take the trade.

Archive, Zoom Daily

Daily Meeting for Friday April 11

Posted on by Conor Browne

Flipping the Execution Switch and Eliminating Entry Lag

• Team missed clean A-tier setup in tech, again due to hesitating at the exact pre-planned trigger.

• “Signal vs. Setup” confusion clarified—team was waiting for multiple confirmations even after primary level broke.

• Ernie reiterated: when it’s on plan and it hits, that is the trade. Period.

• Reviewed post-entry micromanagement, where several traders closed positions early despite no technical invalidation.

• Starter-size execution reemphasized, especially on first touches—to remove hesitation and build in.

• Next week challenge: execute the first A-tier setup on sight. Log outcome. Review Monday. No excuses.

Summary

the team unpacked another missed opportunity—this time in a clean, pre-planned tech setup. The level hit exactly, but multiple traders froze, waiting for extra confirmation that wasn’t part of the plan.

Ernie clarified the difference between a setup and a signal. The setup is built in the prep. The signal is the level hitting. Waiting beyond that means trading emotionally, not systematically.

The team also reviewed post-entry micromanagement habits, with several positions being closed early due to discomfort—not actual technical invalidation. The solution: starter-size execution on the first touch, which removes hesitation and allows for building into confirmation.

To close, Ernie issued a clear directive: next week, every trader must execute the first clean A-tier setup they see. No filters. No doubts. Log the trade. Review it Monday.

Archive, Zoom Daily

Daily Meeting for Thursday April 10

Posted on by Conor Browne

Breaking the Chase Cycle and Recommitting to First-Strike Entries

• Missed clean breakout in financials early in the session, followed by multiple late chases into worse entries.

• Team reminded: “if it’s on the plan and it triggers—take it”, don’t wait for better candles or second signals.

• Chase trades reviewed, all resulting in negative R/R due to poor fills and shaky conviction.

• Reinforcement of entry discipline structure, using pre-market levels as a binary decision—trigger or no trigger.

• Midday overtrading addressed, especially trades taken out of frustration after the morning miss.

• Friday execution challenge locked in: no chases, no gray setups—only clean A-tier triggers taken immediately on signal.

Summary

the team reviewed a missed financials breakout that had been clearly mapped in pre-market prep. Despite price triggering cleanly, hesitation led to skipped entries—and several traders then chased the move late with worse fills and less confidence.

Ernie emphasized that these chases consistently lead to poor outcomes: low conviction, bad entries, and tight stops that don’t hold. He reinforced the importance of treating pre-planned levels as binary decisions: when price triggers—execute.

The team also discussed the emotional fallout from missed trades, particularly how it fuels overtrading during midday chop. These trades often lacked clear structure and were driven by frustration, not conviction.

To close, a Friday execution challenge was confirmed: all traders are expected to take the first clean A-tier setup without delay. No chases. No hesitation. Just trust the work and pull the trigger.

Archive, Zoom Daily

Daily Meeting for Wednesday April 9

Posted on by Conor Browne

Cleaning Up Late Entries and Rebuilding First-Trigger Trust

• Team hesitated on a clean early breakout in tech, then chased late with worse fills and less conviction.

• Ernie reiterated: execution must happen at the first trigger—not on the retest, not “once it looks better.”

• “Chase recovery” behavior highlighted, where skipped A-setups led to overtrading during midday chop.

• Reinforcement of entry tagging system—Clear, Gray, or Choppy—to build data around trade quality.

• Reminder to use starter size on A-setups, especially when price hits the exact level discussed in prep.

• Thursday goal re-set: everyone must execute the first A-tier setup with starter size—no filters, no second-guessing.

Summary

the team broke down another missed A-tier trade in the tech sector. Despite price hitting the planned level with confirmation, several traders hesitated and waited for “better” entries. When they did act, it was late—leading to worse fills and shaken conviction.

Ernie called out this pattern as “chase recovery,” where the guilt of missing clean setups leads to overtrading lower-quality ones during midday chop. The team reviewed trade logs showing how this sequence consistently results in worse outcomes.

To correct this, everyone recommitted to first-touch execution using starter size, especially when price taps a pre-marked level. The tagging system (Clear, Gray, Choppy) was reinforced as a self-assessment tool to help categorize and reflect on execution quality.

Thursday’s goal was reset: every trader must take the first clean A-tier setup at trigger—no hesitation, no edits.

Archive, Zoom Daily

Daily Meeting for Tuesday April 8

Posted on by Conor Browne

Breaking the Hesitation Loop and Re-Training Entry Precision

• Clean A-tier setup in healthcare was skipped, despite pre-market levels being hit almost exactly.

• Over-analysis at execution point was flagged again—team hesitated waiting for confirmation that wasn’t required.

• Ernie reframed the “risk” as actually the safer choice, because skipping aligned setups leads to inconsistent, lower-quality trades later.

• Reinforcement of “starter size first” protocol, encouraging immediate entry to reduce emotional delay.

• Review of strong mid-morning reversal, where several traders chased entries too late, leading to poor average fills.

• Wednesday challenge reset: everyone must execute the first clean A-tier setup on first trigger—starter size, no delay.

Summary

the team reviewed another missed early-session opportunity—this time in a healthcare name that triggered almost exactly at the pre-marked level. The recurring theme of hesitation returned, with traders waiting for “extra” confirmation not required by the setup criteria.

Ernie pointed out that the perceived safety in waiting is actually more dangerous—because it causes missed clean setups and often leads to chasing lower-quality trades later in the day. He encouraged everyone to shift that mindset: taking the pre-planned setup is actually the safer and more consistent move.

The team recommitted to using starter size immediately on clean triggers as a way to bypass emotional hesitation and stay aligned with the plan. A breakdown of a strong mid-morning reversal showed how delayed entries created poor average fills and reduced edge.

To close, Ernie reissued the team challenge: everyone must execute the first clean A-tier setup on first trigger tomorrow—starter size, no edits, no hesitation.

Archive, Zoom Daily

Daily Meeting for Monday April 7

Posted on by Conor Browne

Trusting the First Setup and Resetting Momentum Early

• Missed clean breakout in small-cap tech, due to last-second hesitation despite a full pre-market green light.

• Team reminded to enter on the first valid trigger, not to wait for retests that rarely come cleanly.

• Ernie highlighted the “false protection” of perfection, where over-filtering disguises fear of being wrong.

• Emphasis on immediate starter size, to bypass hesitation and build position into confirmation.

• Review of midday overtrading, with several team members forcing C-tier trades after missing the open.

• Reset strategy launched: every team member must execute the first clear A-tier setup tomorrow—no filtering, no edits, no delay.

Summary

the team reviewed another missed early-session breakout—this time in small-cap tech—despite it being greenlit during pre-market prep. Ernie emphasized that hesitation at the point of trigger is costing far more than losses would, and that the true danger is masking fear as “discipline.”

The solution: get in on the first clean signal using starter size and build from there. Waiting for textbook retests or re-confirmation adds friction that often causes trades to be missed entirely. The discussion also covered how midday overtrading became a pattern after missed openings, leading to unnecessary exposure on C-tier setups.

To reset momentum, a challenge was set: everyone must execute the first clear A-tier setup tomorrow without hesitation. No edits. No overthinking. Trust the prep, trust the plan, and just take the shot.

Archive, Retrospective

Sunday Retrospective for April 6

Posted on by Conor Browne

Executing With Conviction and Trusting Setup Clarity

• Consistent hesitation on A-tier trades, even when confirmation matched the pre-market plan exactly.

• Missed follow-through on clean tech breakouts, as second-guessing delayed entries past the ideal level.

• Emotional carryover from early-week losses, affecting risk appetite and leading to under-sizing strong setups.

• Refinement of setup clarity grading, reinforcing the need to categorize setups as Clear, Gray, or Avoid before the open.

• Discussion on over-monitoring trades mid-run, with traders exiting too early from fear rather than invalidation.

• New weekly goal set: immediate execution on any “Clear” setup with full planned size—no filtering, no edits.

Summary

the team reviewed a recurring issue: hesitation on A-tier setups—even when those trades lined up perfectly with the morning plan. Clean breakouts in tech were missed due to over-analysis or delayed execution, with entries happening after the ideal moment or not at all.

A key theme was emotional drag. Early-week losses carried into later sessions, subconsciously reducing position sizing or increasing caution, even on valid setups. Ernie emphasized that past outcomes should never dictate current execution—each trade must stand on its own.

The team agreed to reinforce the setup grading system: Clear, Gray, and Avoid. Pre-market, every watchlist name will be assigned one of these categories to eliminate live-session doubt. There was also a warning against over-monitoring trades once they’re live—several early exits were made out of fear, not invalidation.

The week ahead comes with a clear directive: when a Clear setup appears, it must be executed immediately with full planned size. No edits. No filters. Just pure follow-through on the plan.

Archive, Zoom Daily

Daily Meeting for Thursday April 3

Posted on by Conor Browne

Clearing Execution Hesitation and Trusting Pre-Planned Levels

• Missed high-conviction setup in energy, despite price hitting the exact pre-marked level with volume confirmation.

• Reinforced first-touch entry principle, removing need for re-validation when plan and live action align.

• Discussion on fear of being wrong, with hesitation tied more to emotion than data or price structure.

• Refined scaling strategy, focusing on committing to initial size and layering in only when trend extends.

• Reminder that clean setups are rare, and over-skipping them leads to chasing lesser-quality trades later.

• Friday challenge issued: team must take the first clean setup without delay and review results during end-of-week debrief.

Summary

the team analyzed another missed A-tier opportunity—this time in the energy sector. The trade hit the pre-marked level with volume confirmation, but hesitation caused it to be skipped. Ernie emphasized that when plan and price align, execution must be immediate—there’s no need to wait for a second confirmation.

The discussion turned to the psychological barrier behind this delay: fear of being wrong. Ernie reminded the team that this fear often shows up when risk isn’t clearly defined or when traders forget that execution is part of a long-term process—not about getting every single trade right.

A refinement was made to the team’s scaling strategy: rather than entering partial size and waiting for more confirmation, traders should commit to size when the setup is clean and scale only if the trend begins to extend. The session wrapped with a reminder that clean setups are rare, and skipping them often leads to chasing worse setups later.

To close, a Friday challenge was issued: every trader must take the first clean setup they see tomorrow—no hesitation—and come prepared to review the results at the weekly debrief.