Category Archives: Retrospective

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, Retrospective

Sunday Retrospective for March 30

Posted on by Conor Browne

Trusting Prep and Executing Without Delay

• Recurring hesitation on A-rated setups, even when pre-market levels were hit precisely.

• Missed follow-through opportunities in tech, where over-filtering led to skipped trades that later performed as expected.

• Adjustment to pre-market routine, adding 5-minute visualization drills to reinforce execution readiness.

• Reinforced use of starter entries, especially during first-hour volatility, to reduce overthinking and improve positioning.

• Losses came mostly from B-tier trades, while skipped trades were predominantly from clean A-setups—highlighting misalignment in focus.

• Team-wide goal set for the week: execute the first A-rated setup without hesitation, regardless of external noise or recent results.

Summary

the team reflected on hesitation and execution misalignment. A key theme was the repeated skipping of clean, A-rated setups—despite those trades lining up exactly with pre-market plans. Ernie emphasized that hesitation is still costing more than losses and that confidence must come from the prep, not from in-the-moment overanalysis.

The team missed several strong follow-through moves in the tech sector after over-filtering during live sessions. As a result, a refinement was made to the pre-market routine: a new 5-minute visualization drill will be added to help cement confidence and readiness for high-conviction trades.

Starter entries were again recommended, particularly in the first hour, to avoid overthinking and ensure better positioning early. Notably, most losses during the week came from B-tier setups, while the most profitable opportunities were missed due to second-guessing A-setups—highlighting a misalignment in execution priorities.

The meeting closed with a clear goal: this week, each team member is to execute the first clean A-rated setup they see, without hesitation—resetting momentum and realigning execution with preparation.

Archive, Retrospective

Sunday Retrospective for March 23

Posted on by Conor Browne

Tightening Execution and Reinforcing Sector Focus

• Consistent hesitation on early-session breakouts, particularly in the tech sector, resulting in missed entries despite clear signals.

• Refinement of stop-loss strategies, implementing ATR-based dynamic stops to better manage risk during increased volatility.

• Review of profit-taking discipline, with several trades closed prematurely, cutting short potential gains on confirmed trends.

• Shift in focus toward small-cap healthcare stocks, after mid-week data showed increased institutional buying and volume surges.

• Emphasis on avoiding overtrading during midday sessions, where choppy price action led to a lower win rate and increased risk exposure.

• Commitment to pre-market preparation, ensuring readiness for fast-moving opportunities and reducing hesitation at open.

Summary

the team reviewed execution across the previous week, focusing on consistent hesitation during early-session breakouts, particularly within tech names. Ernie stressed the importance of pre-market preparation and being ready to act decisively when trade signals align.

Refinements were made to the team’s stop-loss strategy, moving to ATR-based dynamic stops to better accommodate market volatility and reduce unnecessary stop-outs. There was also a review of profit-taking, with an acknowledgment that some trades were closed too early, sacrificing additional upside on solid trends.

The team shifted sector focus toward small-cap healthcare stocks, following data showing increased institutional participation and volume spikes. Ernie emphasized the need to avoid overtrading during midday chop and reinforced the value of maintaining patience until high-probability setups emerge.

The session concluded with a renewed commitment to structured pre-market routines, ensuring the team is ready to capitalize on key opportunities without hesitation.

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Sunday Retrospective for March 16

Posted on by Conor Browne

Improving Execution Speed and Trade Selection

• Consistent hesitation on confirmed entries caused missed opportunities, with a focus on reducing decision lag at execution.

• Review of profit targets being hit but not fully capitalized on, prompting a discussion on holding partial positions longer.

• Sector allocation adjustments, shifting focus toward tech mid-caps as energy stocks underperformed expectations.

• Highlight of strong early-session setups, reinforcing the need for pre-market readiness and immediate responsiveness.

• Adjustment of risk parameters, increasing position size on high-conviction trades while tightening stops on lower-quality setups.

• Emphasis on eliminating emotional re-entry trades, committing to only executing re-entries if technical setups are fully re-established.

Summary

the team focused on execution speed issues, particularly hesitation when entering trades despite meeting all confirmation criteria. Ernie stressed the need to reduce decision-making lag and build confidence in fast execution.

The team also reviewed missed profit potential where trades hit initial targets but failed to capitalize on further extension due to conservative exits. As a response, strategies were discussed to hold partial positions longer when setups remain strong.

Sector allocation was revisited, moving away from underperforming energy stocks in favor of mid-cap tech names showing promising momentum. Additionally, early-session setups were highlighted as particularly effective this week, reinforcing the importance of being prepped and ready to act right at the open.

Ernie led a discussion on adjusting risk parameters, advocating for increased size in high-conviction trades while minimizing risk on speculative setups. Finally, the team committed to eliminating emotional re-entry trades and maintaining strict discipline by only re-engaging if a clear technical setup re-forms.

Archive, Retrospective

Sunday Retrospective for March 9

Posted on by Conor Browne

Precision Timing and Decision-Making Review

• Review of delayed reaction times that led to missed entry opportunities, with an emphasis on reducing hesitation at key decision points.

• Analysis of exit strategies, focusing on instances where trades were closed too early, cutting potential profit short.

• Refinement of post-entry management, highlighting better adjustment techniques for scaling out of trades without compromising position strength.

• Discussion of emotional control lapses, where frustration following early losses influenced subsequent trade decisions.

• Sector focus shift, with recognition that attention was overly concentrated on lagging sectors, missing emerging momentum in small-cap tech stocks.

• Setting a new weekly goal to increase focus on pre-market preparation, ensuring readiness for fast-moving setups immediately after the open.

Summary

the team conducted a focused analysis of trade execution, specifically looking at delayed entries and premature exits that undermined performance. Ernie emphasized the importance of swift decision-making when setups align and recommended drills to reduce hesitation at critical points.

A significant portion of the discussion centered around refining post-entry management, particularly scaling out of positions while maintaining trade strength. The team also addressed emotional control, identifying how frustration from earlier trades led to reactionary decisions that deviated from structured plans.

Attention was brought to a sector focus imbalance—trades were concentrated on lagging sectors while better opportunities in small-cap tech were overlooked. To address this, the team set a goal for the upcoming week: enhance pre-market preparation to be ready for fast-moving setups right from the open.

Archive, Retrospective

Sunday Retrospective for March 2

Posted on by Conor Browne

Lessons from Market Volatility and Execution Adjustments

• Review of Market Volatility Trends: Analysis of how price swings affected trade execution and strategy performance.

• Assessment of the ‘big ass fly’ strategy: Discussion on its effectiveness during high-volatility sessions and necessary refinements.

• Identifying Missed Opportunities: Examination of delayed trade entries and methods for improving reaction time.

• Enhancing Risk Management Strategies: Adjustments to stop-loss techniques to mitigate losses while allowing trades room to develop.

• Sector Analysis for the Upcoming Week: Focus on emerging trends in tech and energy for potential trade setups.

• Setting Goals for the Week Ahead: Prioritizing precision in trade entries, improving risk management, and maintaining patience in execution.

Summary

the team analyzed how market volatility impacted recent trade setups and execution performance. Ernie led a review of the ‘big ass fly’ strategy, discussing its strengths and areas for refinement to adapt to high-volatility trading conditions.

Missed trade opportunities due to delayed entries were examined, with strategies proposed for improving reaction time. Risk management adjustments were also discussed, with a focus on optimizing stop-loss placement to minimize losses while keeping trades open long enough to develop.

Sector-specific analysis highlighted potential opportunities in tech and energy markets, with key trends identified for the upcoming week. The team set clear goals, emphasizing trade precision, disciplined risk management, and patience in execution. Ernie concluded the session by encouraging the team to apply the lessons learned and stay adaptable to market fluctuations.

Archive, Retrospective

Sunday Retrospective for February 23

Posted on by Conor Browne

Navigating Volatility and Optimizing Strategy

• Review of Weekly Volatility Trends: Analysis of market fluctuations and their impact on trade outcomes.

• Assessment of the ‘big ass fly’ strategy: Evaluation of its effectiveness in handling intraday reversals and potential refinements.

• Key Lessons from Missed Opportunities: Discussion on delayed entries and strategies for faster decision-making.

• Risk Management Adjustments: Emphasis on dynamic stop-loss strategies to reduce exposure during volatile sessions.

• Sector Focus for the Upcoming Week: Identification of emerging trends in energy and financials for targeted trade setups.

• Setting Goals for Next Week: Prioritizing entry precision, risk control, and patience in volatile market conditions.

Summary

the team reviewed the impact of market volatility on recent trade setups, identifying areas of strength and opportunities for refinement. Ernie led a discussion on the performance of the ‘big ass fly’ strategy, evaluating its effectiveness in navigating intraday reversals and suggesting potential adjustments.

The session emphasized the importance of learning from missed opportunities, particularly where delayed entries impacted potential gains. Strategies for faster decision-making and trade execution were proposed. Risk management was also a key focus, with discussions on using dynamic stop-loss techniques to better manage exposure in volatile market conditions.

The team identified sector-specific opportunities in energy and financials for the upcoming week and set goals focused on improving entry precision, refining risk strategies, and maintaining trade discipline. Ernie concluded by encouraging the team to stay patient and adaptable as they navigate ongoing market fluctuations.

Archive, Retrospective

Sunday Retrospective for January 17

Posted on by Conor Browne

Adapting Strategies for Volatility and Improved Risk Control

• Review of High-Volatility Sessions: Analysis of market fluctuations that impacted trade consistency and execution.

• Refinements to the ‘big ass fly’ strategy: Focus on improving adaptability in rapidly changing market conditions.

• Lessons from Missed Opportunities: Examination of trades affected by delayed entries and strategies to improve reaction time.

• Risk Management Adjustments: Discussion on optimal stop-loss placements and scaling techniques to mitigate losses.

• Sector-Specific Insights: Identification of strong momentum in energy and financial sectors and how to leverage these trends.

• Goals for the Upcoming Week: Prioritizing trade discipline, focusing on confirmed setups, and refining technical analysis strategies.

Summary

the team reviewed challenges faced during periods of heightened market volatility and how it affected trade outcomes. Ernie led an evaluation of the ‘big ass fly’ strategy, suggesting refinements to enhance its adaptability to unpredictable price swings.

A key topic was missed trading opportunities caused by delayed entries, with a focus on improving reaction times and decision-making processes. Risk management strategies were revisited, emphasizing proper stop-loss placement and scaling techniques to manage risk exposure.

Sector-specific analysis highlighted strong momentum in the energy and financial markets, presenting potential opportunities for upcoming trades. Ernie concluded by setting clear goals for the week ahead—prioritizing disciplined execution, focusing on confirmed setups, and fine-tuning technical analysis to align with current market dynamics.

Archive, Retrospective

Sunday Retrospective for February 2

Posted on by Conor Browne

Lessons from Volatile Trading and Execution Adjustments

• Review of Market Volatility Trends: Analysis of increased price swings and their impact on trade execution.

• Evaluation of the ‘big ass fly’ strategy: Insights on its effectiveness in high-volatility conditions and necessary refinements.

• Adjustments to Entry Timing: Identification of trades where hesitation led to missed opportunities, with strategies for improvement.

• Risk Management Review: Discussion on stop-loss placements that were either too tight or too wide, and how to adjust them.

• Sector-Specific Insights: Breakdown of key market movements in energy, financials, and tech, with takeaways for future trades.

• Goals for the Coming Week: Focus on better trade execution, risk adjustment, and improving discipline in following planned setups.

Summary

the team reflected on the challenges and successes encountered during a volatile trading week. Ernie led an evaluation of how market conditions affected trade outcomes and discussed adjustments to improve performance.

The effectiveness of the ‘big ass fly’ strategy was analyzed, highlighting necessary refinements to improve execution in rapidly moving markets. A key focus was on improving entry timing, as hesitation on several setups led to missed opportunities.

Risk management was reviewed, with a discussion on stop-loss placements that were either too restrictive or too wide. The session also included sector-specific insights, looking at key movements in energy, financials, and tech.

Goals for the coming week were set, emphasizing improved trade execution, more refined risk management, and stronger adherence to planned trade setups. Ernie concluded by reinforcing the importance of discipline and adaptability in navigating market fluctuations.

Archive, Retrospective

Sunday Retrospective for January 26

Posted on by Conor Browne

Strategic Insights and Execution Enhancement

• Reflection on the week’s performance, emphasizing lessons from high-volatility trades across energy and tech sectors.

• Evaluation of the “big ass fly” strategy’s adaptability to sector momentum and its alignment with market shifts.

• Identification of timing inconsistencies in recent trades, with actionable strategies for improving entry precision.

• Discussion on managing risk in trades influenced by macroeconomic reports and geopolitical developments.

• Analysis of successful trades leveraging real-time technical indicators, proposing broader application of these methods.

• Setting goals for the coming week, including refining sector-specific strategies and enhancing real-time execution processes.

Summary

the team reflected on the past week’s trading activities, focusing on the successes and challenges presented by high-volatility conditions in the energy and tech sectors. Ernie led an evaluation of the “big ass fly” strategy, discussing its adaptability to sector momentum and areas for improvement.

Timing inconsistencies in recent trades were identified, with strategies proposed to enhance entry precision and capitalize on market shifts more effectively. Risk management practices were reviewed, particularly for trades impacted by macroeconomic reports and geopolitical events.

The session highlighted successful trades that utilized real-time technical indicators, suggesting their broader application in future setups. Goals for the upcoming week were established, emphasizing the refinement of sector-specific strategies and improvements in real-time execution processes. Ernie concluded by encouraging the team to build on this week’s insights and maintain discipline in their trading approach.