Hey traders,
I want to talk about something that separates winning traders from the ones who never quite figure it out.
It’s not some secret setup or hidden pattern.
It’s selectivity.
The ability to say “no” to trades that don’t fully line up. To sit through the noise and wait for the setups that check every single box.
Sounds simple, right?
But it’s probably the hardest part of trading, especially when the market keeps throwing shiny objects in your face.
You’ve gotta shut out the noise or the market will keep distracting you with setups that almost look good.
Let me walk you through why I’m staying extra picky right now—and why it could save your account (and your sanity).
This Market Punishes the Impatient
The market’s been choppy as hell. One day, things look strong. Next day, everything fades.
This isn’t a “just buy anything and watch it go up” kind of tape. We’re in a spot where discipline matters way more than aggressiveness.
I see traders chasing every green candle like it’s the next big runner. But more often than not, they’re just getting chopped up.
A chart looking ‘pretty good’ doesn’t make it tradable. That’s the trap—thinking maybe is good enough.
It’s not. Not right now. And probably not ever.
Why Being Selective Protects Your Cash (and Your Confidence)
When I first started trading, I wanted action every day.
If you’re trading just to trade, that’s not discipline—it’s impulse. I’ve been there too.
I thought real traders were always in something. Always making moves.
You know what I got from that?
Losses. Frustration. And a ton of trades I had no business being in.
I’ve hit that wall before—pushed too hard, traded too much, and paid for it. Here’s what finally snapped me out of it.
I figured it out: capital is ammo.
If you waste it on low-quality setups, you’ve got nothing left when the real opportunities appear.
Even worse, you lose your edge mentally.
Every bad trade chips away at your confidence. You start second-guessing everything. And when an A+ setup finally does come along… You hesitate.
Trading with emotion kills your edge. Confidence only comes from discipline and prep.
Being selective protects you from that spiral.
Here’s What I Look For Before Taking a Trade
I don’t touch anything unless I’ve got:
- A clean chart with strong volume and clear levels.
- Sector momentum — not just one stock moving, but multiple in the same group.
- News or a catalyst that gives the move a reason to keep going, not just hype.
- Price action that confirms, not “looks okay,” but actually shows strength.
That’s what I call an A+ setup.
It’s not just about one factor. It’s when everything lines up, and yeah, sometimes I wait days for something that fits.
But when it does, I already know my plan. I’ve studied the pattern. I’ve mapped out my levels. I know exactly how I’ll size in and where I’ll cut if I’m wrong.
That’s what gives me confidence.
Not hype. Not hope. Just prep.
Why Patience Pays (Literally)
Sitting out feels boring. You feel like you’re missing out.
I didn’t grow my account by trading everything that moved—I made over $4M doing the exact opposite.
But here’s what most traders forget: You’re not paid by the hour in this game.
You’re paid when you’re right. And being right takes waiting.
I’ve had months where I barely traded—but when I did, those few trades made my whole year.
You only need a couple of big wins to change your P&L. But you can’t grab those if your capital’s tied up in random junk that “looked decent.”
Every trade you take comes with opportunity cost.
Scared money always misses the best setups—especially when you’re tied up in junk trades.
If you’re stuck in something that’s not moving—or worse, something going against you—you’re missing the chance to strike when a real play pops up.
So What’s the Move Right Now?
Simple:
- Be picky.
- Stick to setups that line up perfectly.
- Don’t force anything.
- And when the market’s quiet or choppy, walk away. Clear your head and save your cash.
You’re not weak for sitting on your hands. You’re being smart.
The best traders I know wait, stalk, and strike only when everything clicks.
And they’re not trying to “make back” losses or chase someone else’s momentum.
That’s the kind of trader I want to be. And that’s the kind of trader I want you to be too.
If you’re struggling to know what setups are worth your time, I break it all down inside my Seven-Figure Cycles system.
It’s the exact process I use to find my best trades every month. The same setups I’ve been studying for years.
I send out my top trade ideas, teach you how to spot them, and show you how I manage risk around them.
And… you can test-drive it for 30 days to see if it helps.
Catch you out there,
Jack Kellogg