As a trading educator running an online business, recording content is part of my day-to-day. I’m talking product intros, chart reviews, coaching recaps — you name it.
So I’m no stranger to the tech side of things: choosing the right screen, toggling between mic and system audio, deciding whether I’m capturing a full video or just a snippet.
Most days, I run through the setup checklist almost on autopilot.
But every once in a while… the autopilot fails.
Proof That Even I Need a Tech Check
Just the other day, I carved out time to record a video. It was about a new feature I’m rolling out for some of our Tribe members.
I had the slides ready. I knew exactly what I wanted to say. I felt good — clear, energized, focused.
I hit record, gave it my all… and when I went to process the video?
Crickets..
Not a single bit of audio captured.
I had forgotten to make sure everything was functioning properly.
And the worst part? I knew better.
Tech checks and your trading
The good news is that kind of miss doesn’t happen to me when I’m trading.
Why? Because I have a printed checklist— including a real, repeatable tech check that’s part of my trading plan.
If you’re serious about your trading, I want you to build that into your own trading plan workflow too.
Here’s what to include:
1. Test your device sound — before you need it
Audio plays a bigger role than you might realize, even in trading.
TradeStation literally says “Order Filled” out loud when I get a fill. I also rely on pings and dings to alert me when price hits certain support or resistance levels. You might too — even if you don’t fully notice it until something breaks.
So before you start trading, do a quick check. I just open YouTube, click on any video, and make sure I can hear it. That tells me my sound system is working. Then I close the tab so there’s nothing distracting me once I’m in my trading flow.
2. Block out the sounds you don’t want
Even more distracting than no sound? The disruptive sounds.
Phone buzzes. Email bells. Desktop notifications.
You can’t think straight, let alone trade well, when your brain’s on high alert.
So give yourself a clean slate:
- Silence your phone (or set to Do Not Disturb)
- Exit messaging apps unless you need to coordinate with someone while trading
- Close any extra browser tabs or windows that pull your attention elsewhere → yes, that includes email inboxes
Your trading deserves your full focus — not your fragmented attention.
3. Know your support channels — before you need them
There are three core pieces of tech I rely on every trading day:
- My charting & brokerage platform (software)
- My computer (hardware) and its operating system
- The internet (connection)
If any one of those fails mid-trade, you don’t want to be scrambling.
You want a back up plan to stay in control of your trades. That should include, at the bare minimum:
- Support phone numbers for your brokerage — mine’s is TradeStation and on a Post-It right by my screen
- Help options for your OS (Mac or Windows) -– I have a yearly plan with Microsoft Support
- A backup internet solution or at least contact info for your provider – I use AT&T but know how to utilize the hot spot from my Iphone if needed emergently
You don’t have to memorize everything — write it down and just keep it easy to access.
Don’t let preventable mistakes derail your progress
I lost that video that I was recording because I skipped one step. One box left unchecked.
In trading, those skips can be way more costly.
So take two minutes. Do your tech check.
It’s a small habit that can save you hours of frustration — and maybe even your hard earned dollars.
✅ Over to you
Got a tech tip or near-miss of your own?
Drop it in the comments — I’d love to hear it.
~Hima
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