Journal Entry
Summary
2 trades on ES futures. 1 win on ORB setup, 1 scratch on failed continuation. Net +1.2R.
Key Lesson
Patience on the second entry would have avoided the scratch. Wait for confirmation candle to close before entering pullback trades.
Full Notes
Today was a solid day overall. The morning started with a clear opening range on ES, and I waited patiently for the breakout as per Playbook A.
**Trade 1 - ORB Long** - Entry: 5245.50 on confirmed break above opening range high - Stop: 5241.00 (below range low) - Target: 5254.00 (reached) - Result: +1.9R
The entry was textbook. Volume confirmed the breakout, and price never looked back. I held through minor pullbacks because the structure remained intact.
**Trade 2 - Failed Continuation** - Entry: 5256.25 on what I thought was a pullback setup - Stop: 5253.50 - Exit: 5255.00 (scratched at breakeven) - Result: -0.7R (slippage)
This is where I need to improve. I entered before the confirmation candle closed. The pullback turned into a deeper retracement, and I was forced to exit at breakeven. Had I waited 2 more minutes, I would have had a much better entry—or no entry at all if the setup invalidated.
**Key Takeaway:** The first trade shows what happens when I follow the process. The second trade shows the cost of impatience. Discipline is doing the same thing every time, especially when you feel like you might miss out.