My Morning Trading Routine: How I Prep for Profits Before 9:30AM
Waking up without a plan is the fastest way to lose money in the stock market. I learned that the hard way. That’s why I built a morning trading routine that helps me show up focused, confident, and ready to make money — before the market even opens.
In this post, I’ll break down exactly what I do every morning before 9:30AM, how I build my watchlist, and how this routine has helped me consistently trade only the best setups — and skip everything else. If you want the full step-by-step system I use to pay my bills with stocks, it’s all inside my ebook right here.
Table of Contents
Why a Morning Routine Matters in Trading
You can’t treat trading like a guessing game. Most of the real work happens before the bell rings. If you’re only reacting to price action at 9:30AM without preparation, you’re already behind.
My goal each morning is to spot the top 5–6 stocks that are showing signs of momentum, volume, or news — so I’m not wasting time once the market opens.
I Start by Checking the Overall Market Mood
Before diving into any stock, I check SPY and QQQ to see how the overall market is moving. Are futures green? Is there a clear gap up or gap down? This gives me a pulse check and helps me decide if I should be aggressive or conservative that day.
If the market is choppy or slow, I might not even trade. That discipline alone has saved me thousands.
Then I Scan for Movers With Volume
I look for stocks that are gapping up with volume, either in premarket or due to some news. I use free screeners like Finviz and Market Chameleon to scan for top gainers, unusual volume, and low-float stocks with catalysts.
If something has no volume or reason to move, I skip it. I’m only interested in momentum plays I can actually trade with confidence.
I Build a 6-Stock Watchlist Before 9:00AM
Once I’ve scanned the market, I narrow down my list to just six stocks max. Why? Because more isn’t better — more is just more distraction.
These are the stocks I believe have the best potential to move big at the open. I study their charts, map out key levels of support and resistance, and create a plan for each one.
Inside my ebook, I explain the exact process I use to pick these 6 — even if you’re brand new to trading.
I Set Alerts and Mark My Levels
Once I pick my stocks, I open my trading platform and draw zones around the areas I’m interested in. This includes premarket highs, previous day highs, and clear breakout or breakdown levels.
I set price alerts, so I don’t need to stare at the screen. I already know where I want to act — I just need the stock to hit my zone.
I Write My Trade Plan (Yes, I Actually Write It Down)
For each stock on my list, I jot down:
- Entry price
- Stop loss
- Target price
- Why I’m watching it
This part keeps me accountable. It’s easy to chase when you’re unprepared. But when you’ve already defined your plan, you don’t fall for noise.
I Check the News, Then Go Quiet
Right before the bell, I do a final check for any breaking news or updates. After that, I turn off distractions. I don’t scroll, I don’t check alerts from other traders, and I don’t second-guess.
This is where discipline becomes money. When the bell rings, I’m locked in.
What I Don’t Do in the Morning
Here’s what I avoid:
- I don’t look at 20+ stocks
- I don’t follow random alerts
- I don’t react emotionally
- I don’t enter anything unless I’ve planned it
This minimalist approach keeps me sharp and focused. I’ve made more with fewer trades than I ever did chasing dozens of tickers.
Want My Full Pre-Market Checklist?
I put it all together for you in one place — my ebook. Inside, I show you:
- How I scan the market
- How I pick the 6 best stocks
- What levels I use
- How I enter and exit
- How I avoid overtrading
- And how this strategy helped me pay my bills with a small account
Whether you’re just starting or you’ve been struggling to stay consistent, my morning routine can change everything.
I used to think trading success came from being glued to the screen all day. But once I dialed in my pre-market routine, I realized that most of my profits were made before the bell even rang. Planning ahead gave me clarity and removed the guesswork.
Another critical part of my morning is reviewing my trading journal. I quickly scan what worked and what didn’t in my last few trades. If I made an emotional decision the day before, I note it. This keeps me grounded and helps me improve without beating myself up.
I also avoid noise from social media or chat rooms before the open. I used to follow other people’s alerts and ideas, and it led to nothing but losses. Now, I trust my own process. I built it myself, and it works — that’s all I need.
Many traders overlook the power of visualizing their trades. I take five minutes to imagine what I’ll do if a stock hits my level. Will I enter? Will I wait? This mental preparation helps me act with confidence, not panic.
I don’t use fancy scanners or tools. Just a few free websites and price action. That’s why I created my ebook — to show traders like you that you don’t need indicators or expensive software to win.
My watchlist isn’t based on hype — it’s based on structure and potential. I focus on clean charts with room to run. If a stock is too crowded or choppy, I skip it. I’m not here for action. I’m here for results.
I also like to track premarket volume. A stock with strong premarket volume often continues that move after the bell. If there’s no volume, I stay away. Liquidity is key when you’re managing risk.
Some days, none of my stocks hit my levels — and I don’t trade. That’s a win too. Discipline is a setup. Knowing when not to trade has helped me protect my account and stay in the game long term.
My entire strategy is built around confidence and simplicity. When I log in each morning, I’m not hunting. I already know what I’m waiting for. That mindset took years to build — and now I’ve put it into a format you can learn in a day.
In my ebook, I even include the exact watchlist format I use, my personal checklist, and how I approach the open without stress. If you’re tired of guessing, this will change how you trade.
There’s something powerful about showing up to your trading desk with a plan, a purpose, and no pressure. That’s what my morning routine gives me — and that’s what I want to help you build for yourself.
If you’re serious about getting consistent and making trading part of your real income, start with your mornings. Start with a plan. And if you want the shortcut, grab the same ebook I use to guide others through what actually works.