October 8, 2026 (-$8.75) | Good Losing Day


October 8, 2026 (3 Trades) (-$8.75)

*Trading Day October 7, 2026

Overall Grade: B

natemadden1994-note-2026-10-08

natemadden1994-note-2026-10-08

Day Summary: Although I ended up with a red day, I am happy with mostly everything from the day (Oct 7). My first trade was a banger. It was an A+ set up and I held it to full TP. The only thing I should have done differently was to size up to at least 2 MES but it was my first day back to trading after getting back from Grand Turk after a 5 day trading break and it was very early into the session. Otherwise, that was a perfect trade for my strategy. The second trade was taken out of FOMO and thinking about the money, which shows the major difference in what trading with a set up and trading out of emotion looks like. My third trade of the day was not bad, and I added to a winner, but I was shorting low after the major move had already happened. Adding to a winner however is a good habit and I stuck to my strict stop loss to limit the damage. Overall, I took only shorts in a market that was trending down, managed my loosing trades, and followed my 3 trade max rule (1 Win, 2 Losses). I did not want to stop trading because it was frustrating to go from green to red after such a good first trade but I know the most important thing for getting myself back on track is to follow my rules and I did a good job of that.


Trade 1 - Short1 MES @ 21 EMA Trap + Trend Continuation

Grade: A+

natemadden1994-note-2026-10-08

  1. playbook set up
  2. trading with the trend
  3. entry right at 21 EMA + fakeout entry
  4. held to preset TP
  5. This is what a perfect trade for my strategy looks like


Trade 2 - Short 1 MES @ FOMO + Thinking About The Money

Grade: C-

natemadden1994-note-2026-10-08

  1. opposite of Trade 1 - trading on emotion instead of following my system
  2. no playbook set up
  3. trading with trend - good
  4. shorting low - FOMO
  5. bad entry - poor R
  6. poor exit due to poor exit and being in drawdown after a perfect first trade
  7. Main Lesson - Stick to the system, not emotion


Trade 3 - Short 2 MES @ Price Action + Late To The Party + Added To Winner + Order Flow

Grade: B

natemadden1994-note-2026-10-08

  1. somewhat a playbook set up, but subpar
  2. trading with trend - good
  3. entry was good based on current price action
  4. added to a winner based on Order Flow - good to add to winner but still shorting low
  5. good job keeping the risk tight with 2 MES


TAKEAWAY: Ideally, I take Trade 1 with size and am done for the day by 9:40am. Follow the system and don't be afraid to size up when you recognize an A quality set up. It is worth the risk in those times. Good job following 3 Trade Max Rule. And remember the difference between Trade 1 and Trade 2 today (System vs Emotion)

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FAQ

The overall performance was a loss of $8.75 after three trades.

The first trade received an A+ grade for being a perfect setup that followed the trader's strategy.

The second trade was driven by FOMO and emotional decision-making, which led to a poor entry and exit.

The trader followed a strict three trade max rule, allowing for one win and two losses.

The main lesson was to stick to the trading system and not let emotions dictate trading decisions.

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