Happy March, traders…

Ben here. 

Ever feel like the market moves way faster than you do on Monday mornings? 

By the time most traders finish their coffee, the week’s biggest opportunities — or risks — are already in motion. 

Spoiler Alert: These traders miss huge profit-making potential before the caffeine kicks in. 

If you want to beat these lazy traders, you need to start every week with a clear head, a solid plan, and the confidence to act fast with less stress.

There’s no need for fancy strategies or predicting the future. It’s simpler than that. All you need is the right Monday morning routine. 

Think of it like a pilot’s pre-flight checklist: a few quick steps to make sure you’re prepared for turbulence, smooth sailing, or anything in between. 

By doing so, you’ll be able to spot risks and seize opportunities with unshakable focus before the market even opens.

Let me show you how to turn chaotic Monday mornings into your secret weapon…

Step 1: Check the Week’s Schedule (Before You Even Log In)

Your first job Monday is to check for:

• Big Events: Earnings reports, Federal Reserve announcements, or economic data (like jobs numbers or inflation updates). These can cause huge swings in prices.
• Key Dates: Options expiration dates (if you’re trading weekly contracts) or holidays that might thin out trading activity.
• Company News: Did a stock you’re trading drop a surprise update over the weekend? (Hint: Check headlines.)
• Market Internals: Check SKEW, VIX, and major index levels. 

Open an economic calendar and skim the next 5 days. Highlight anything that could impact the stocks or indexes you’re trading.

Step 2: Review Your Open Trades

You wouldn’t drive a car without checking the gas gauge, right? 

Same idea here…

Look at every open position and ask:

• Is this trade still a good idea? Did the stock’s story change? Did volatility spike or drop?
• Are my stops/limits still in place? Double-check that your risk controls (like stop-loss orders) haven’t expired or been triggered.
• What’s my max risk this week? Add up how much you could lose if every trade went south. If that number scares you, adjust your positions.

Pro tip: Write down your answers. Clarity now = fewer panic moves later.

Step 3: Set Your Game Plan (and Stick to It)

Options traders get in trouble when they trade reactively (“Oh no, the market’s crashing — quick, do something!”). 

Instead, decide in advance:

• What’s your goal this week? Example: “I’ll close 2 profitable trades by Thursday” or “I’ll only open new positions if XYZ stock breaks $150.”
• When will you walk away? Set a daily loss limit (e.g., “If I lose $500, I’m done for the day”).
• What’s on your watchlist? Identify 2-3 stocks or ETFs you’re ready to trade if setups align.

Step 4: Get Mentally Prepared

If you’ve been my student for a while, you know how seriously I take trading psychology. Your mindset is more important than anything. 

On Monday morning:

• Check your stress level. If you’re Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired, stop trading. There’s an acronym for this: H.A.L.T. 
• Visualize the week. Picture yourself sticking to your plan, even if the market gets wild. Manifest discipline. 
• Block time to focus. Shut off notifications, close unnecessary tabs, and treat trading like a job.

The best traders aren’t the ones making 100 moves a week — they’re the ones who stay calm, stick to their rules, and let opportunities come to them. 

Your Monday routine shouldn’t take more than 20-30 minutes. The goal isn’t to predict every twist and turn… it’s to be ready for them.

This morning, before you place a single trade, run through this checklist. You’ll be shocked at how much smoother your week feels.

Stay sharp out there,

Ben Sturgill

P.S. We’ve had 100 winning trades in a row in Earnings Edge — don’t miss the next 100…

Join millionaire trader Bryce Tuohey for a LIVE EARNINGS WORKSHOP — TODAY, March 3 at 4:00 p.m. EST — Click here to reserve your seat!

*Past performance does not indicate future results