Missed a Move? No FOMO... I Shall Rise... Advice for Futures Traders
Advice for Futures Traders
Thursday December 4, 2025
In Thursday's AM Briefing, Micros Trader reviewed Section 4 of the Trade Plan Builder, emphasizing the importance of using identical risk parameters in simulation and live trading accounts. The session stressed avoiding reckless sim behavior by enforcing strict daily and weekly lockouts, and it cautioned against undisciplined tactics in prop evaluations. A trade recap highlighted disciplined decision-making and key levels for potential pullbacks, particularly ahead of next week’s FOMC. The devotional concluded with a message of resilience from Micah 7:8, encouraging traders to rise from setbacks with clarity and conviction.📖 AM Briefing: Trade Plan Risk Parameters & Rising After the Fall
Good morning traders! Happy Thursday, December 4th - 21 days to Christmas. Today we're diving into Section 4 of the Trade Plan Builder (Risk Parameters), reviewing yesterday's market action, setting up for today's session with unemployment claims at 7:30, and getting a powerful devotional about rising after you fall. Bulls are in complete control overnight, but we're looking for specific setups.
- Trade Plan Builder Section 4 - Risk Parameters: We're working through Section 4 focusing on risk settings for simulation accounts. The key principle: use the same exact risk parameters in simulation that you want to use in your cash account. Start by risking $0 in a demo account with hard limits on contracts, daily loss limits that lock you out until 6pm, and weekly loss limits. If you want skin in the game, grab a static or end-of-day drawdown prop account using the same settings. It's like playing cards with quarters versus nothing - suddenly it gets serious real quick.
- Start Small and Earn Your Leverage: There's nothing wrong with trading one micro and building your account. Add one micro for every $500 in profit. Just because you enter with one contract doesn't make you any less of a trader. You have to earn the right to trade with more leverage. Build your account, go to two micros, then three micros so you can use our three contract system. Start small, trade smart, and grow. Problem is traders want it fast - but that's not the path to success.
- Prop Trading Advice - Don't YOLO Your Way Through: Some traders want to gamble their way through evaluations by buying four accounts and going long or short into CPI candles or at the opening, hoping two pass while sacrificing the other two. Sure, you might pass today, but is that leading you down the right path? What you're clearly demonstrating is the inability to be patient - the silent killer of all traders. Earn your way with proper trading and discipline.
- Yesterday's Market Review: We had two core strategy entries on Wednesday with the second one being nice because it had several confluences - trend line, above overnight high, came back and touched overnight high, front side fair value gap against trend line with the trend and with bulls controlling. Battle Plan Trade Six mapped out where we were interested in getting long and hit our target. Wasn't the easiest trading day though - London grabbed RTH liquidity at a bad time and the opening gave nothing clean, so walking away was the right move.
- When You Can't Trade, Don't Trade: Sometimes your brain tells you to get out and you need to listen. You don't have to force yourself to trade. Yesterday morning there was a potential three minute front side setup late in the day, but out of sheer discipline the decision was made earlier to stop trading and that decision was honored. When you say something, mean it and do it. Could have taken that setup? Yes. But discipline means honoring your commitments to yourself even when opportunities appear.
- Current Market Positioning & Battle Plan: Overnight we're still in upper distribution with bulls in complete control. ES hanging near highs but hasn't taken the RTH high yet (other indices already have). Since we're flat and in a reset phase, Battle Plan Trade Number One is being considered - looking to get short up here for a pullback to 6,800 or the 6,790 strong level, if not down to the bull bear line at 6,763. This would be ideal going into FOMC next week. It's counter-trend, bulls control, so it'll be small - one micro only.
- News Driver Alert: Unemployment claims hitting at 7:30 this morning. Be prepared for volatility and have your battle plan ready. Don't force trades around the news - wait for your setups with proper confluences.
- Devotional - It Will Rise Again (Micah 7:8): "When I fall, I shall rise. When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be light to me." Every trader knows what it's like to be flat on their back in darkness with enemies circling. That week where everything goes against you, that session where you violated every rule and destroyed your equity. The darkness is real, the fall happened. But here's what separates traders who survive from those who don't - it's not about avoiding the fall, it's what you declare while you're still down. Your doubts are whispering you should quit, but the truth is simple: I shall rise. Not because you're special, but because sitting in that darkness believing it's permanent is the only loss you can't recover from.
- Practical Application: If you're in drawdown right now, write out Micah 7:8 and tape it to your monitor. Take one day off from trading to review what caused the fall without emotion - when emotions have subsided and you're waiting for setups instead of looking to trade. Identify specific rule violations or mistakes. Create one concrete change to prevent the same pattern. One powerful example: don't have your DOM open until your setup is occurring. If you're watching it flutter up and down, you'll be tempted to enter trades you shouldn't. If you're not in drawdown, prepare for the inevitable one that's coming by defining the specific steps you'll take when you face your next significant loss.
- Get Tomorrow's Trades Tonight: Visit microstrader.com and click battle to access your battle plan. Use the Trade Plan Builder to craft your complete trading plan with proper risk parameters. Remember: falling is not final. I shall rise.
Opening Remarks
Welcome to the AM Briefing video presented by Microstrader.com, where together we trade better.
Good morning, everybody. Happy Thursday, December 4th — just 21 days until Christmas. Somebody needs to hear that. Time to get those Christmas presents bought!
Trade Plan Builder – Section 4: Risk Parameters
Tip of the day: we're going to go through the Trade Plan Builder again. We're on Section 4 — Risk Parameters. Let me get to that.
I'm on Stream Deck — catching up — there we go. We’ve already completed Sections 1, 2, and 3. Now, we're diving into Section 4.
I’ve worked on this section a little bit already. When you hit “Edit,” it brings you down to Section 4 — the risk parameters for simulation. I recommend using the exact same risk parameters in simulation that you intend to use in your cash account — or at least what you want to use starting out.
Risk Settings and Sim Account Configuration
I recommend that everyone, especially those new to our system or any trading system, start by risking $0. Begin with a demo simulation account and apply the same risk parameters as you would with real money. This includes:
- Daily loss limits with a lockout until 6 p.m.
- Weekly loss limits that lock you out for the entire week if violated.
I highly recommend Tradeovate, which has these settings. NinjaTrader offers them too.
If you prefer to have a bit of skin in the game, consider getting a static or end-of-day drawdown prop account — using the same parameters. Technically, it’s still simulation, but adding money to the equation changes the psychology. It’s like playing cards for fun versus betting real money — things get serious fast.
Still, I recommend starting by risking $0.
People tend to get reckless in sim accounts — that’s why setting hard limits is so valuable. These limits prevent you from spiraling into bad decisions. Once you're locked out, you have no choice but to walk away — and that’s a great teacher. It helps avoid revenge trading and emotional spirals that cause deeper losses.
Start Small, Trade Smart
There’s nothing wrong with trading a single micro. Build your account. Then go to two micros. Then three. You must earn the right to use more leverage.
The beauty of three contracts is that you can use our three-contract system. And remember: just because you enter with one contract doesn’t make you any less of a trader.
Start small. Trade smart. Grow. As your account grows, your leverage and your results will follow. The problem is — traders want results fast. This is only the beginning of the risk management discussion. You’ll complete full leverage metrics later in the Trade Plan.
If you have different-sized accounts, you may need different leverage metrics for each.
Prop Trading Evaluation Strategy
Let’s talk about prop trading.
Some traders YOLO their evaluations — buying four accounts and betting long and short on the same CPI candle or at the end of the day. They hope two accounts pass and sacrifice the other two.
Sure, you might pass today — but is that leading you down the right path?
I beg of you not to take that route. Do what you want, but please earn your way with proper trading and discipline. These traders claim they don’t want to waste time, but really, they’re showing they lack patience — the silent killer of all traders.
How do you plan to pass your evaluations? That needs to be part of your trade plan.
Dynamic Risk Settings and Updating the Plan
This trade plan is a living, breathing document. As your account grows, so should your risk settings. You're not stuck in one setup forever. Keep reviewing and adjusting your parameters as needed.
When you click “Add Simulation Account,” a box pops up. I have two accounts set up here. You’ll add a name — for example, a Tradeovate sim account. Then describe the risk parameters and rules. For instance:
- “Trade one micro.”
- “Add one micro for every $500 in profit.”
If you have screenshots — like from an Apex $100K account — include those too. Add their rules to your plan.
Once complete, make sure you hit “Save Section 4.” That wraps up Section 4 of 22 in the Trade Plan Builder. If you appreciated this, hit the thumbs up — it helps a lot.
News Drivers and Recap of Previous Session
Today is Thursday. We’ve got unemployment claims at 7:30 a.m. If you're live with me, that’s in about nine minutes. We’ll see if we’re still on then. We probably will be, because we’ve still got the devotional coming up at the end.
Quick review of yesterday: I think we had two core strategy entries. The second one had several confluences — we had a trendline break, price went above the overnight high, then came back to retest. It was a front-side entry into a fair value gap — with trend and with bull control.
It was late in the day, but it eventually hit our target — mapped out in Battle Plan Trade Number Six. That plan marked where we wanted to get long and where our target would be.
It wasn’t the easiest trading day. I didn’t love the timing when London came down to grab RTH liquidity — it didn’t offer a clean entry, just a “buy and pray” setup. That would have worked, technically.
The opening gave me nothing. One touch here, and I was hoping it would take the overnight low. It popped above, I got frustrated, and ended the Zoom call early. I said, “You can’t trade this — you’ve got to walk away.” And when your brain tells you that, listen. You don’t have to force trades.
Discipline and Following Through
At the end of the day, there was a three-minute front-side setup. We probably could’ve found an entry on a lower timeframe. But that’s okay. Wait for the next day or come back in the afternoon after resetting your mindset.
I knew we hit the Battle Plan Trade Six target. There was nothing left to do. Sure, I could have taken that long, but I had already told myself I was done for the day. And I honored that.
Discipline means following through on what you told yourself earlier in the day — even if you see a setup. When you say something, mean it.
Overnight Session Outlook and Key Levels
Overnight, we’re still in the upper distribution. Bulls are in complete control.
However, bulls must make a new high. If they can’t, they often give it up. That doesn’t mean go short — but last night’s battle plan indicated I would consider a short if price moved higher first.
Ideally, I want to see a pullback — down to 6,800 or even 6,790. That would be perfect heading into FOMC next week. I’m not expecting it, but I’d love it.
Since I missed the initial move, I’m now in a reset phase. I’d consider Battle Plan Trade Number One — a short for a pullback down to 6,790 or even the bull/bear line at 6,763. This would be a one-micro trade — small size, counter-trend — because bulls still control.
Market Overview: Indices Comparison
Let’s look around:
- Russell had a monster day yesterday — looked like four sets of single prints at the top.
- Dow is hanging out near highs with a small range.
- NQ took out the RTH high and is consolidating near the top.
- ES hasn’t grabbed the RTH high yet. I’m watching that closely into the open.
If we get Battle Plan Trade One even before the open, I’ll probably take that setup.
"Rejoice not over me, O my enemy. When I fall, I shall rise. When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me." — Micah 7:8
Devotional: “I Shall Rise”
Micah is speaking from a place all traders know — flat on your back, surrounded by darkness. He doesn’t deny the fall or pretend he’s not in it. He acknowledges the reality — then boldly declares: I shall rise.
Not maybe. Not hopefully. Not “if conditions improve.” Just — I shall rise.
We’ve all been there. That week when everything you touch goes wrong. When one trade wipes out a week’s gains. When you violate every rule and blow your equity.
That’s real. The fall is real. The darkness is real.
But what separates survivors is what they declare while still down. The voice in your head, your doubts, your enemies — they’re all rejoicing right now.
Micah’s response? He doesn’t argue. He just speaks truth: “When I fall, I shall rise.”
Not because you’re special — but because God is your light, even in darkness.
The market will knock you down. Bad trades will happen. Drawdowns are inevitable. But believing the darkness is permanent? That’s the only loss you can’t recover from.
Your account can be rebuilt. Your confidence can return. The only question is whether you’ll declare “I shall rise” — or let fear convince you to stay down.
Essay Format Questions
- What emotion affected your trade today?
- How will you respond differently next time?
Practical Application & Reflection
If you're in drawdown, write out Micah 7:8 and tape it to your monitor.
Take one day off from trading. Review what caused the fall — without emotion. Wait until emotions have subsided before resuming.
Identify specific rule violations. Do you have a trade plan? Have you written one? If you’re in my community, use the Trade Plan Builder.
Create one concrete change to prevent the same pattern. For me, it’s not opening the DOM until the setup is occurring. That has saved me from impulsive trades.
If you're not in drawdown, prepare for it. It will come. Create specific steps for how you’ll respond — not if, but when — significant loss happens.
“Father, I am sitting in darkness right now — facing losses, questioning myself, feeling defeated. But I will not let my enemies rejoice over me. Be my light in this darkness. Remind me that failing is not final. Give me strength to rise again — wiser and more disciplined than ever before. I shall rise.”
MORE INFORMATION:
Website: https://MicrosTrader.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@microstrader
Free Foundations Course: https://academy.microstrader.com/foundations-dashboard/
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