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A Day in the Life of a One-Hour-Per-Day Swing Trader
Name: Jordan Taylor
Trading Style: End-of-day swing trading using rule-based systems (RLCO, SSC, MACD Season)
Trading Window: 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM ET
Primary Goal: Grow capital systematically while preserving time and lifestyle freedom
The Principle: 60 Minutes to Mastery
"I only trade when the market is closed. That's when I think the clearest and execute the cleanest."
8:00 PM – Daily Trading Ritual Begins
1. Debrief the Day's Trades
- Check fills and open trades
- Journal wins/losses using R-multiple
- Zero State emotional check-in
- Identify triggered exits
2. Update Market Classification
- Review indexes, sector ETFs, key indicators
- Classify market state: Bull Quiet? Bear Volatile?
3. Frame Trades for Tomorrow
- Scan for critical state setups
- Define entry, stop, target, R size
- Load conditional orders with criteria notes
9:00 PM – Trading Day Ends
Jordan shuts down the screen knowing the plan is set. No alerts. No second guessing. Just process.
"I'm not looking for perfect trades. I'm executing a process that gives me the best odds over time."
Life Outside the Hour
Jordan works full-time and spends quality time with his family. He trades without stress or obsession, integrating it into a fulfilling life.
Jordan's 1-Hour Trading System
| Time | Task |
|---|---|
| 8:00–8:15 PM | Review trade results & journal |
| 8:15–8:30 PM | Market scan & classification |
| 8:30–9:00 PM | Frame & place trades for tomorrow |
Improve Your Craft Every Morning
A short note from Dr. Ken Long on the craft of trading. One idea to think about and work on that day, drawn from decades of teaching and live trading. Free.
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