“No cat videos while you trade.You have the rest of the day for cat videos.”
That’s an actual line of my sage wisdom from a recent First 40 Trading Club Q&A call.And it came up in a conversation about reducing distractions while you trade.
Now that may sound like a light topic — not as exciting as what’s happening in the markets or the news right this second. But here’s the thing: no matter what’s going on out there, if you don’t control your trading environment, you’re going to risk having poor performance.
So let’s talk about some simple, practical ways to stay focused.
1. Close Those Extra Browsers
Coming back to those cat videos…
This one’s simple: close any extra browser tabs or programs that aren’t directly related to your trading.
Say you’re trading in a web-based platform like WealthCharts
Or even in a desktop-based application, it doesn’t help to have email, social media, or — possibly the worst of all — a news website open.
Sure, news can be part of your broader market awareness. But it’s not critical to your trade setup — especially if you’re a short-term trader or scalper looking for moves that begin and end within minutes.
Clear your digital workspace. Those extra tabs will still be there when you’re done trading. The cat videos really can wait. 😉
2. Silence the Pings and Dings
The next big one: reduce chat and notification noise.
I get it — you might have a day job and need to stay connected on Microsoft Teams or Slack. That’s fine. But if you can, mute channels that don’t require immediate attention while you’re trading. Most messages can wait until after you’re done.
And if your job doesn’t require you to be on call — like if you’re not a surgeon or a police officer — then it’s absolutely OK to use your phone’s Do Not Disturb mode.
You can customize it to allow calls from your kids, spouse, or elderly parent, and silence everyone else.
I use Do Not Disturb mode myself — and it’s been a huge game-changer for my trading focus. It works.
3. Close the Door (Literally)
This last one may sound almost too simple, but sometimes simple is all we need.
If you trade at home — like many in our Tribe do — your space might be an open area like the kitchen table, or a room you can close off like a home office or bedroom corner.
As much as possible, close the door or create a physical boundary between you and the rest of the household when you’re trading.
If you live with others, this small act sends a clear signal: you’re in focused mode.
I live with my husband, and while he’s working too, me closing the door to my office is among our cues that I’m in serious trading mode.
It’s a small thing, but it reinforces professionalism — even in your own home.
Stay Focused, Trade Better
I’ve shared these tips before (you can find related posts linked below), but honestly — they’re worth repeating.
Because no matter what’s happening in the markets, your ability to stay focused will always be one of your biggest edges as a trader.
If you want to go deeper on this topic, you might also enjoy my posts Don’t Skip Your Tech Check and Tech to Prevent Trading Interruptions — both expand on how your setup and tools can support a focused, distraction-free trading environment.
And now I’d love to hear from you:
What are your best ways to reduce distractions while you trade?
Share them in the comments below — let’s learn from each other.
~Hima
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