Thursday August 7, 2025

Q: What role does suffering and pain play in a trader's development?

The briefing suggests that without suffering there is no improvement and that there is wisdom and pain. Traders should not avoid suffering but instead be trained by it. This implies that challenges, setbacks, and difficult experiences are essential for growth and refinement in trading.

Q: How does the biblical scripture Luke 16:13 relate to trading?

The scripture 'No household slave can be the slave of two masters... You cannot be slaves to both God and money' is interpreted to mean that traders cannot be slaves to both God and money. This can be understood as a warning against being solely driven by monetary gain, implying that a deeper purpose or principle should guide one's trading.

Q: What is the advice regarding the "all-time high" in the market?

The advice is 'don't stand in front of a freight train.' This means that when the market is pushing towards or has already reached an all-time high, especially across multiple indices like NQ and ES, it indicates strong upward momentum. Traders should be cautious about betting against such strong trends.

In Thursday’s AM Briefing, Micros Trader urged viewers to approach trading with the precision and intention of a master artist, not the casualness of a sketch artist. Referencing C.S. Lewis and Proverbs, he emphasized that growth in trading comes through struggle, discipline, and the embrace of pain as a refining force. Despite strong market momentum toward all-time highs, he stuck to his plan, choosing not to chase entries that didn’t align with his predefined strategy. The briefing balanced philosophical insights with tactical awareness, underscoring the need for commitment, clarity, and respect for market realities.

☀️ AM BRIEFING

Opening Remarks

Micros Trader begins the Thursday AM Briefing by framing trading as a high craft — not a casual endeavor. He emphasizes the importance of intentionality, discipline, and long-term vision. Quoting Luke 16:13, the idea of singleness of purpose is introduced: "No household slave can be the slave of two masters... you cannot be slaves to both God and money." This sets the tone for a discussion about the mindset and seriousness required to be successful in trading.

Trading as a Masterpiece, Not a Sketch

Micros Trader draws a vivid analogy between trading and artistry. Most traders, he argues, are like rushed sketch artists: reactive, unfocused, and casual. “Great trading — consistent, disciplined, and profitable — is like painting a masterpiece.” He references a powerful quote from C.S. Lewis’s The Problem of Pain, where an artist puts little effort into a quick sketch but devotes endless effort to crafting a masterpiece.

This analogy serves as a direct call to traders: treat your trading like a masterpiece. That means reworking your plan, discarding bad habits, and recommitting to the process again and again. "It’s not easy," he notes, "but easy was never the goal. Excellence was. You're not here to play; you're here to build something worth being proud of."

The Role of Pain and Suffering in Growth

Micros Trader emphasizes the transformative power of pain in the journey toward improvement. "There is wisdom in pain. Without suffering, there is no improvement." He reminds traders not to avoid hardship, but to embrace it and be trained by it. This philosophy is rooted in a detailed study of Proverbs, approached "syllable by syllable."

“What do you do with suffering? You be trained by it. That’s right.” This mindset flips the narrative from avoiding discomfort to embracing it as a necessary part of growth.

Strategic Planning and Market Realities

Micros Trader shares his pre-market "battle plan," which included looking for a solid long setup targeting all-time highs. His plan was to “start small and add to a winning trade using our core strategy.” However, the market didn’t unfold as expected. “My trade plan did not exactly materialize,” he admits.

Despite the strong upward movement, he stresses the importance of sticking to one’s plan: “I'm not going to jump on the train, and at this point, I certainly can't just jump on the train.” Instead of chasing the market, he opts to fall back on the core strategy. He cautions traders with a clear warning:

Don’t stand in front of a freight train.

Singleness of Purpose

Returning to the theme from Luke 16:13, Micros Trader reiterates the danger of dual allegiances — both in life and in trading. Traders must choose their focus: “quick money” or “disciplined process.” One cannot serve both. The message is to remain devoted to a single master — the integrity of the trading process — and not to be pulled in conflicting directions.

Market Notes and Practical Details

Economic calendar: Unemployment claims are scheduled one hour before market open. While important, this is not considered a red folder event.
Earnings: No significant earnings announcements for the day.
Resources: Traders are encouraged to check out the day’s battle plan at Microtrader.com by clicking “battle plan.”
Live session: A live YouTube session may occur if any material change develops before the open.

❓ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How should traders approach their craft, according to the briefing?
Traders should view trading as painting a masterpiece rather than sketching a quick drawing. This means approaching it with meticulous effort, dedication, and a willingness to revise and refine their approach repeatedly, rather than treating it as a rushed, reactive, or unintentional activity. The goal is excellence and building something to be proud of, not just getting it done.

What is the significance of the "masterpiece" analogy in trading?
The "masterpiece" analogy highlights the commitment required for consistent, disciplined, and profitable trading. Just as an artist invests endless trouble and rework into their magnum opus, a trader must be willing to take "endless trouble to rework your trade plan, discard bad habits, recommit to your discipline, and embrace the struggle." It emphasises that easy is not the goal; excellence is.

What role does suffering and pain play in a trader's development?
The briefing suggests that "without suffering there is no improvement" and that "there is wisdom and pain." Traders should not avoid suffering but instead be "trained by it." This implies that challenges, setbacks, and difficult experiences are essential for growth and refinement in trading.

How does the biblical scripture Luke 16:13 relate to trading?
The scripture "No household slave can be the slave of two masters... You cannot be slaves to both God and money" is interpreted to mean that traders cannot be slaves to both God and money. This can be understood as a warning against being solely driven by monetary gain, implying that a deeper purpose or principle should guide one's trading.

What is the "battle plan" mentioned in the briefing, and how is it used?
The battle plan is a pre-market analysis or strategy developed by Micros Trader, outlining potential trade setups for the day. Traders can access tonight's battle plan directly. It serves as a guide for potential trades, although it may not always materialise as expected.

What happened in Micros Trader's specific trading scenario on the day of the briefing?
Micros Trader's pre-market battle plan involved a specific long trade targeting the all-time high, starting small and adding to a winning trade. However, the market opened much higher and then quickly slammed down, failing to reach the desired entry point. As a result, the planned trades did not materialise, and Micros Trader focused on their core trading strategy for the day.

What is the advice regarding the "all-time high" in the market?
The advice is "don't stand in front of a freight train." This means that when the market is pushing towards or has already reached an all-time high, especially across multiple indices like NQ and ES, it indicates strong upward momentum. Traders should be cautious about betting against such strong trends.

What should a trader do if their pre-planned trades do not materialise?
If the pre-planned trades, like those in the battle plan, do not materialise as expected, the trader should not "jump on the train" impulsively. Instead, they should revert to their core strategy, indicating a disciplined approach that avoids reactive, unplanned trading when initial setups fail.