A strong trading routine isn’t just about executing trades; it’s about preparing and refining a process that keeps you connected to the market. A weekend routine helps you stay current on market conditions, assess your watchlists, and evaluate potential trades for the upcoming week. This lesson focuses on building an effective weekend routine, with steps for list management, chart review, and setting up actionable trading plans.

The Value of a Weekend Routine

• Why a Routine Matters: Consistent weekend preparation keeps you attuned to market conditions, allowing you to recognize emerging patterns and spot high-potential setups before the week begins. A weekend routine also instills discipline, helping you make more confident trading decisions.
• Make It Your Own: Each trader’s routine will vary depending on time availability and personal goals. The key is to establish a routine that you enjoy and that aligns with your trading objectives. As your skill develops, you may find it helpful to add or adjust parts of your routine.

Step-by-Step Guide to a Weekend Routine

• Review a Broad Market List (e.g., Russell 3000): Going through a large list of stocks on a weekly or monthly chart, such as the Russell 3000, lets you observe trends across sectors and individual stocks. This practice not only builds market awareness but helps train your eye on stock movement and health.
  • Tip: Focus on the weekly and monthly charts to get a sense of longer-term trends without the noise of daily fluctuations.
• Check Your Core Watchlists:
  • Liquid Institutional Leaders: Review high-quality names like Tesla, Nvidia, Microsoft, and Google that consistently show strength. Many top-performing stocks need periods of consolidation, and revisiting these names weekly helps you spot setups as they re-emerge.
  • IPO List: Check your IPO list for new entrants or promising stocks within their first 6–18 months post-IPO. Keep an eye out for signs of stability or base formation, as IPO stocks can have strong upside potential once they stabilize.
• Refine Your Daily List: Use your weekend to refine a daily list of 30–40 names with the most promising setups. Many of these names will carry over from the previous week, but a fresh review lets you adjust based on new setups or improved technical patterns.
• Example: If you see that a name on your list, like Roblox, is forming a new base or showing volume increases, it may be worth prioritizing on your focus list for the week.

Sunday Night Routine for Final Preparations

• Review and Refine the Top Dogs List: Use Sunday evening to refine your Top Dogs list, narrowing down the stocks that represent the best market opportunities. Focus on confirming the strongest candidates, reviewing fundamentals like revenue growth, sector alignment, and current price action.
• Create a Focus List: The Focus List is a small list (typically 3–5 stocks) of actionable trades for the week. This list is based on setups that you’re ready to act on, giving you a shortlist of high-conviction stocks to watch closely.
• Plan for Open Positions: Review each open position, noting any adjustments needed to your stop-loss levels, price targets, or position size. A careful weekend review lets you enter Monday with confidence, knowing you’re prepared to manage current trades while scanning for new ones.

Incorporating Time-Saving Tips

• Efficiently Using Tools and Apps: Use tools like MarketSmith for chart reviews and to track growth-focused lists (like the Growth 250). Consider using the mobile app to quickly scan charts, jotting down notes on interesting stocks to add to your main watchlist.
• Balancing Time and Focus: For traders with limited time, focus on the essentials—your top lists like IPOs, Top Dogs, and liquid leaders. By prioritizing your strongest lists and limiting yourself to key setups, you can manage time effectively while still preparing thoroughly.

Setting Goals and Measuring Progress

• Tracking Your Lists Over Time: Keep a notebook or digital record of weekly Top Dogs, Focus Lists, and notes from your reviews. This record serves as a valuable resource for reviewing past routines and tracking how your lists—and results—evolve.
• Evaluating Your Routine: Set a goal to review your routine every quarter. This gives you a chance to assess whether it’s helping you make better decisions and achieving the outcomes you want. If your approach feels overwhelming, focus on simplifying and emphasizing only the most effective steps.