Monday October 6, 2025

Q: What specific rules apply when a trader decides to trade counter (go short) against the current upward momentum?

When trading counter, one key rule is 'See money, take money.' The strategy involves trying to 'Trap the Trader Longs.' If going counter, it is recommended to follow the trade at 50%. Traders are reminded that if they decide to short, the trade should be small, if at all, and they should know they are counter, given that the bulls currently control the market. As a MES Futures Trader, you should only use one contract unless there's an extraordinary setup.

In an era where speed and action are glorified, a recent AM Briefing from Micros Trader highlighted the often-overlooked strategic power of patience in high-speed futures trading. Emphasizing the discipline of waiting for optimal setups, the trader contrasted amateur impulsiveness with the professional's commitment to methodical execution. Specific guidance was shared on managing risk when trading against the trend and the mental clarity that comes from adhering to pre-planned strategies. Ultimately, the session revealed that true market mastery—and success in broader pursuits—comes not from doing more, but from knowing exactly when to act and when to wait.

☀️ AM BRIEFING

Opening Remarks

In our modern world, speed is king. We demand instant execution, immediate results, and constant action. We live in a culture that celebrates the hustle and sees any moment of stillness as a wasted opportunity. The pressure is relentless: to do more, faster. Patience often feels less like a virtue and more like a liability.

That's why I was so struck to find profound wisdom on the counter-intuitive power of the pause in one of the last places I expected: an AM Briefing for high-speed futures traders. These are professionals who operate in a world where milliseconds can matter. Yet, the most resonant lessons had nothing to do with moving faster and everything to do with the discipline of strategic waiting.

This AM Briefing offered a masterclass not just in trading, but in decision-making under pressure. It revealed that the principles separating amateur results from professional ones are universal. Here are three unexpected lessons from a pro trader's playbook that can be applied far beyond the trading charts.

1. Amateurs Brute Force, Professionals Practice Disciplined Trust

The AM Briefing introduced the concept of "brute forcing" trades, a perfect description of the amateur's approach. Driven by boredom, fear of missing out (FOMO), or sheer impatience, the amateur tries to force a positive outcome. They impose their will on the situation, demanding a result now, whether the conditions are right or not.

In stark contrast, the professional mindset is one of disciplined trust. Pros wait for their pre-defined "A+ setups," even if it means sitting on their hands all day. This isn’t passive laziness; it's an active, disciplined strategy of conserving capital, energy, and focus for the moments when their edge is most likely to materialize. It's about aligning with the natural rhythm of the environment rather than fighting against it.

Your strategy works. Your edge is real—but only if you let it unfold at the market’s pace, not your emotional pace.

When that trust is practiced, the reward isn’t just better results but a profound sense of ease. As Micros Trader explained, the payoff for patience is clarity:

"And then the trades get so easy… You're like, oh my gosh, why ain't trading like this every day? Because you don't wait patiently every day."

This concept extends to nearly any significant endeavor. Whether you’re launching a product, seeking a promotion, or honing a creative skill, brute force often leads to burnout and subpar results. Disciplined trust means preparing diligently, defining the ideal conditions for success, and then having the confidence to wait for that moment to arrive.

2. When You Go Against the Grain, Play for Singles, Not Home Runs

Trading against the prevailing market trend is inherently high-risk. It’s betting that the powerful momentum driving everything in one direction is about to reverse. Micros Trader laid out a specific, pragmatic rulebook for navigating this dangerous scenario. The core principle: "See money, take money."

This means that when you take a contrarian position, the goal is not to get greedy and hold out for a massive, game-changing victory. The goal is to secure small, quick profits and get out. To enforce this, he follows a strict set of personal rules: trade only a single contract to limit exposure, never add to a losing trade, and use a “pretty tight stop” to cut losses without hesitation. The objective is survival and small gains—not a heroic, all-or-nothing win.

Get what you get. Don’t throw a fit.

There’s profound wisdom here for anyone taking a contrarian stance. If your project goes against the company’s conventional wisdom or your ideas challenge the status quo, it's wise to have hard-and-fast rules to prevent catastrophic failure. Define what a small, achievable “win” looks like and take it. Holding out for total vindication can expose you to unnecessary risk, whereas banking a series of small victories can build momentum and credibility over time.

3. The Person Who Masters Waiting, Masters the Game

The single most powerful takeaway from the entire AM Briefing was that patience is not just a virtue—it is a core strategic skill. Micros Trader referenced the wisdom of the prophet Habakkuk, explaining that opportunities have an "appointed time." Forcing that timing—acting too early or too late—ruins everything.

This is often the hardest part of any disciplined process. It requires fighting the internal anxiety that demands action. Instead of paraphrasing the struggle, Micros Trader put it in the form of two searingly direct questions:

"How many trades have you jumped into early because you couldn't wait for your setup? How many times have you exited a trade—a winning trade—prematurely because you didn't trust the process to play out?"

True mastery comes not from frantic action but from the quiet confidence to wait for the right moment. The entire philosophy was distilled into one powerful, concluding thought:

The trader who masters waiting, masters the market.

This principle is so potent because it runs counter to our most basic impulses. We are wired for action, for control, for doing something. The discipline to do nothing—to simply wait for the plan to mature and the opportunity to present itself—is what separates the impulsive from the strategic.

Conclusion: Your Appointed Time

Across the high-stakes world of futures trading, the deepest wisdom isn’t about speed—it’s about timing. The central themes are universal: the strategic power of patience, the wisdom of disciplined action over brute force, and the importance of trusting your process to unfold at its own pace. It’s a powerful reminder that the masterstroke is often found not in action, but in restraint.

The only question left to ask is the one inspired by Micros Trader’s own reflection:

In what area of your life are you brute-forcing a result, when disciplined waiting for the "appointed time" might be the masterstroke?

❓ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

MICROS TRADER – FUTURES TRADING FAQ

What specific rules apply when a trader decides to trade counter (go short) against the current upward momentum?

When trading counter, one key rule is "See money, take money." The strategy involves trying to "Trap the Trader Longs." If going counter, it is recommended to follow the trade at 50%. Traders are reminded that if they decide to short, the trade should be small, if at all, and they should know they are counter, given that the bulls currently control the market. As a MES Futures Trader, you should only use one contract unless there's an extraordinary setup.

What major market development was noted during the London session, and what were the general conditions across the instruments?

During the London session, NQ made a new all-time high. Generally, all instruments are positioned above the halfback and exhibit upward slanting VWAPs. This aligns with what a disciplined MES Futures Trader should watch for when preparing for RTH entries.

What essential trading discipline concept is highlighted by the daily devotional, and what are traders warned against?

The devotional emphasizes patience in trading, noting that the vision awaits an appointed time and that the strategy works only if allowed to unfold at the market's pace. Traders are warned against "brute force trades"—jumping into setups early out of boredom or fear of missing out (FOMO), which can ruin the timing. Every professional MES Futures Trader understands the importance of waiting for A+ setups, trusting that the market has an appointed time for valid opportunities to develop.