A short, repeatable pre-session routine can reduce rushed decisions. This page offers a practical checklist for getting your environment, platform and risk plan ready before you place a single trade.
Education only · Not trading adviceApplies to Forex / Crypto / Binary
5–10 minute routineSimple enough to use before every planned session.
Approx. reading time: 7–9 minutes.
Why a pre-session routine matters
High-risk markets can move quickly. Without a basic routine, it is easy to jump into trades based on emotion, headlines or fear of missing out instead of a written plan.
It creates a clear start to each trading session.
It reminds you of your risk limits before any order.
It reduces "impulse" trades and last-minute changes.
The aim is not perfection. The aim is a small set of steps that keep you aligned with your own rules.
Step 1 – Environment and focus
Before thinking about charts, make sure your environment supports focused decisions.
Physical setup
Close unrelated apps, chats and notifications.
Keep only the platforms and tools you need open.
Check your connection and power are stable.
Personal focus
Notice your energy level and mood honestly.
Decide whether you are in a state to follow your rules today.
If not, consider reducing risk or skipping the session.
Step 2 – Platform checks and risk limits
A few minutes checking your platform and risk limits can help you avoid avoidable errors.
Platform sanity check
Confirm you are logged into the correct account.
Check position sizes and margin settings from last time.
Verify that any open orders match your plan.
Risk limits for this session
Note your maximum risk per trade in simple numbers.
Note your daily or session loss limit.
Decide how many trades or ideas you are willing to take today.
Step 3 – Markets, news and "no-trade" conditions
You do not need to predict the future. You do need to know what you are trading into.
Market overview
Scan the instruments you actually trade.
Note whether conditions look trending, ranging or mixed.
Be aware of overall volatility – calm, elevated or extreme.
News and "no-trade" rules
Check key economic events and scheduled announcements.
Decide whether your rules say to avoid trading around them.
If in doubt, consider reducing size or skipping the event entirely.
Step 4 – Set a simple intention for the session
A short written intention can help you remember what matters when things get busy.
"Today I measure success by following my rules."
"I will stop trading if I hit my daily loss limit."
"I will avoid changing size in the middle of a session without a written reason."
You can adapt these to your own situation. The key is that you see them before you place your first order.
