Three entries in your trade log. All three — deviations from the plan. "The chat said support was broken." "Everyone was exiting." "I just adjusted the stop — just this once." It all felt rational in the moment.
Now, in silence, you see it clearly: none of those decisions came from your analysis. They came from noise you let in.
This is the moment most traders feel — and then forget by the next session. This post is about not forgetting.
Parts 1-3 broke down why it happens: stress hijacks your planning center, chats inject panic through the screen, herding gives your brain permission to follow the crowd.
Here's the protocol:
Before the session:
→ Write your plan BEFORE opening any chat. Levels, actions, stops — on paper or in your tool. Not in your head. → Set alerts and automatic stops before volatility hits. Decisions made calmly are better than decisions made under cortisol. → Decide in advance: "If X happens, I do Y." If/then rules bypass the weakened PFC.
During peak movement:
→ Close ALL chats, channels, Twitter/X. Not "mute." Close.
→ If you need information — one or two verified sources only. Not a general chat. → 5-minute rule: if you opened a chat, set a timer. 5 minutes, then close. No exceptions. → Caught yourself acting on impulse? 10-minute pause. No screens. Walk. Breathe. Return to your written plan.
After the session:
→ 15-minute debrief: what did I do according to plan? Where did I deviate? Why? → Review which channels actually helped vs which generated noise. Cut the noise.
One thing that helps me: having alerts, levels, and portfolio in one place reduces the urge to tab-switch into chats. I use Terminal (
@Lexx Trade Terminal ) for this — when everything is in one view, the pull toward "let me just check the chat" is weaker.
But the tool matters less than the principle: the cheapest upgrade to your trading isn't a new indicator. It's closing the chat during the 30-60 minutes that matter most.
This was a 4-part series. If it was useful — let me know which part resonated most. More series like this coming.
What will you implement first? Or do you have your own volatility protocol? Share below.
#tradingpsychology #TradingTips #RiskManagement $BTC Educational content. Not financial advice. DYOR.
👉 Part 1: Why your brain betrays your plan during a crash?
(published).👉 Part 2: Your chat is not neutral. It's contagion
(published)👉 Part 3: Everyone is selling
(published)